By: Janine Balageo
The Cordillera Human Rights Education and Capacity Building Workshop took place on March 26–27, 2026, hosted by the Commission on Human Rights – Cordillera Administrative Region (CHR-CAR) for the University of the Cordilleras. The training brought together university faculty, non-teaching staff, student council officers, and members of the Rights2LIFE Project to deepen their understanding of human rights frameworks.
CHR-CAR Representatives giving their Respective Lectures
The first day of the workshop focused on the foundations of the Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE) Program, core human rights principles, and state obligations, alongside a detailed look at sectoral rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The second day expanded into specific legal protections, including Republic Act No. 11930 (concerning the exploitation of children), the Safe Spaces Act, and the CHR’s role in gender protection. Additionally, sessions highlighted the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the contemporary issues they face.
UC Representatives giving their Key Takeaways from the Training
With active participation from CHR-CAR Regional Director Atty. Romel Daguimol, the event concluded with a synthesis of key learning outcomes. Ultimately, the training served to strengthen the university’s institutional capacity, reinforcing its commitment to embedding human rights education within its academic and extension programs.
The activity aligns UN SDGs by integrating human rights principles into academic and institutional frameworks. Primarily, it supports SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing human rights training to university faculty, staff, and students. It also addresses SDG 5 (Gender Equality) through dedicated sessions on the Safe Spaces Act and the Commission on Human Rights’ role in gender protection. Additionally, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) are evident in the focus on sectoral rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the specific rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Furthermore, the initiative promotes SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by strengthening the university’s institutional capacity, clarifying state obligations regarding human rights, and discussing legal frameworks like Republic Act No. 11930 to combat exploitation. Finally, the collaboration between the CHR-CAR and the University of the Cordilleras exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), demonstrating a multi-stakeholder partnership dedicated to institutionalizing human rights education.
