23 - 27 March, 2026
The Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) in partnership with the Pacific Islands Association of NGOs (PIANGO), the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Pacific Regional Office held a Pacific regional civil society capacity building program on Human Rights, Climate Change and Business in the Pacific in Suva, Fiji from 23 March to 27 March 2026.
This 5-day program built the knowledge, skills and capacities of advocates to protect and promote human rights in the context of climate change impacts in the Pacific. It built knowledge of international human rights standards and mechanisms, as well as regional Pacific frameworks, climate change commitments and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice. It explored how these can be applied and integrated into effective advocacy strategies. It built practical skills for engaging with governments and business. Participants learned from leading experts and practitioners, shared knowledge with each other, and built practical skills and solidarity networks. Trainers on the program included Professor Surya Deva, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development.
The climate crisis is impacting all human rights across the Pacific. Community advocates are on the frontline of efforts to save their communities and their environments, and to mobilise action to implement the commitments made in the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity. They are working to ensure that development benefits communities and is economically and environmentally sustainable. Extractive industries, including deep sea mining, forestry and fisheries, as well as infrastructure and tourism are impacting communities, leading to environmental degradation, conflict and displacement. Women, children, and persons living with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to negative impacts.
NGOs and community advocates can more effectively use global frameworks and commitments as they engage with governments and the private sector. With Paris COP 31 there are opportunities for Pacific voices to ensure that human rights inform global, national and local responses to climate change. Litigation on climate change across the world is clarifying government and business responsibilities in relation to climate change.
Knowledge of rights, and skills in representation and dialogue are vital to communities and CSOs advocating for their right to participate in decisions that affect them, and to engaging effectively with government and business to influence policies and projects, and their impacts. Informed participation is critical to sustainable development. Effective civil society advocacy and networking is also essential to maintaining and increasing democratic space.
This training will help bridge the significant knowledge gaps in CSOs, government, and business of these new global standards on climate change, business and human rights and the SDGs and their relevance to sustainable, equitable development consistent with the cultures of the Pacific.
The curriculum was finalised to meet the needs of the selected participants. Program content included the following:
Participants who completed the training received a certificate from UNSW Faculty of Law and Justice.
The training is interactive. DTP’s trainers are experienced local, regional and international human rights practitioners, academics, and officials who apply DTP’s philosophy of participatory training. Professor Surya Deva, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development, will be a key trainer. DTP recognises and values the experiences and skills that participants bring to its programs. Sharing experiences and lessons between participants is actively encouraged and is one of the highlights of the program.
The HRCC program concluded in Suva on 27 March 2026. You can read the program report here.
The Diplomacy Training Program's 2026 Human Rights, Climate Change and Business in the Pacific capacity building program receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
