“One of the most important takeaways I had from this presentation is the recognition that every state has a responsibility to every individual, not just its own citizens” 

“Very informative and eye opening”

– Training participants

On June 17, 2026, CCIG was pleased to collaborate with the Edmund Rice International (ERI) Network to deliver a training session on the UN Treaty Bodies for a group of civil society actors. The session, which took place online, was part of ERI Training in Human Rights and International Advocacy, and welcomed 10 participants from Kenya, India, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Nigeria, the United States, Columbia, and Italy. This training aimed to strengthen the capacity of civil society actors in human rights advocacy within the UN system. 

Led by CCIG Secretary General Maria D’Onofrio, the session provided an overview of the structure of the UN Human Rights System and its Treaty Bodies. The session began with definitions of key terminology and concepts essential for understanding the system and its mechanisms. In addition, the session provided information on the legal status of various UN conventions, as well as explanations of how NGOs can engage with the treaty body system in different stages of the reporting process.

The session aimed to create an interactive learning environment, offering participants accessible and practical information on how to interact with UN mechanisms in their advocacy work. Throughout the training, participants were encouraged to share their experiences, reflections and inquiries, which brought diverse perspectives and insights to the training.

CCIG thanks Edmund Rice International, a CCIG member, for inviting us to share our expertise in support of their advocacy efforts. We look forward to continuing our engagement with ERI to support civil society actors in their efforts to champion key causes in the UN system.