CHRSD-Mahidol University

Organizational Background

The Center for Human Rights Studies and Social Development at Mahidol University was established in 1998. It serves as an academic institution specialized in human rights, with a track record in providing postgraduate education as well as training programs to students, human rights workers, human rights defenders, members of civil society organizations and government officials.

The CHRSD aims to develop the ways and means by which human rights are transformed into social and political realities at the community, national and international levels. It does so primarily through educating human rights practitioners, but also through outreach programs to community and international organizations, and by conducting cutting edge research on issues of crucial importance to human rights.

Vision of the Center for Human Rights Studies and Social Development

The vision of the CHRSD is to be a leading international center for learning and research in Human Rights, and its relationship to peace and development, with a focus on Asia.

Mission of the Center for Human Rights Studies and Social Development

The Mission of the CHRSD, by which it will achieve this vision, is threefold:

• To build human rights and peace culture through education and academic outreach programs
• To strengthen research which contributes to a greater understanding and realization of human rights, peace and just development
• To serve as a regional center and be a catalyst for academic excellence and knowledge-based advocacy in human rights

Activities of the Center for Human Rights Studies and Social Development

1. Study Program

The CHRSD runs a Graduate Program in Human Rights, leading to a Masters of Human Rights, an International PhD course in Human Rights and Peace Studies, a Masters of Human Rights in Thai language and recently opened Master of Human Rights and Democratisation (Asia Pacific Regional Program).

2. Training Program and Conference for human rights professionals

The CHRSD runs human rights training upon request to enhance academic human rights knowledge for practitioners in the region. From 2002-2006, it also ran annual Southeast Asian Advanced Program on Human Rights and Asian Thematic Training on Human Rights with the support from the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Lund University, Sweden. In addition, the center also runs others related activities such as targeted human rights trainings, conference for human rights professionals.

3. Research

The CHRSD supports research which contributes to the greater understanding and increasing reach of human rights to all levels and groups in society. Research supported by the program aims to both develop academic knowledge of critical concern to human rights, and provide practical applications of human rights activities in a wide diversity of fields.