Diplomacy Training Program Limited is an independent, non-government organisation (NGO) providing education in human rights advocacy. It seeks to advance human rights and empower civil society in the Asia-Pacific region through quality training and by building the skills and capacities of advocates.
DTP is a non-profit organisation that relies on grants, donations and fees. In 2009, DTP received DGR status through specific listing in Parliament. Trainers provide their services pro bono. In-kind support is provided by UNSW. Funders include Australia (DFAT), Switzerland (SDC) OHCHR, Oxfam Australia, Caritas Australia and Friends of the Diplomacy Training Program.
Training of 2800 human rights defenders from more than 60 countries; 25 Annual Regional Training Programs for Asia-Pacific NGO leaders; over 100 specific country and thematic trainings in countries including Australia, Bangladesh, East Timor, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Qatar, and UAE. In 2015, DTP’s work was recognised by the Australian Council for International Development, which awarded DTP’s alumni (and DTP) its Sir Ron Wilson Human Rights Award. The award recognises the work being done by their alumni in over 25 years since its establishment by Jose Ramos-Horta.
DTP is affiliated with the Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales, Sydney, which provides academic and in-kind support. DTP is a member of the Australian Council for International Development and a compliant signatory of its Code of Conduct.
DTP's mission is to provide practical training to those working for universal human rights standards, to uphold values of human dignity and for peaceful redress of injustice.
DTP’s vision is for a world in which all governments fulfil their obligations to respect protect and fulfil human rights to ensure universal standards of human dignity.
DTP strives to fulfil this vision by offering practical support to human rights defenders and community advocates through its range of training programs.
The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) draws its inspiration and sense of purpose from the experiences of Dr José Ramos-Horta (1996 Nobel Peace Laureate) in seeking solidarity and international action on human rights violations following the invasion of East Timor in 1975.
In establishing the organisation, José Ramos-Horta wanted to share his skills and knowledge with others. He understood the power of peaceful advocacy and ‘people’s diplomacy’ and he wanted to help human rights defenders to use the available international standards and mechanisms more effectively and to mobilize civil society and international solidarity to seek effective redress for human rights abuses.
DTP believes that skills in advocacy, diplomacy and communication, networking and alliance building, together with sound knowledge of internationally agreed human rights standards and inter-governmental systems, enable human rights defenders to be more effective. Shortening the learning curve for advocates can have a direct and lasting impact on human rights.
DTP is a non-profit organisation that relies on donations, grants, fees and the goodwill of numerous individuals who provide their specialist expertise at no cost. DTP is recognised by the Australian Tax Office as having ‘deductible gift recipient’ status which means that donations to DTP are tax deductible.
DTP is solely an educational institution and has no religious or political affiliations. As a training organisation, DTP’s neutrality is respected and valued by human rights defenders across the Asia-Pacific region.
