UNESCO and IPU launch new online course for Members of Parliaments to defend Freedom of Expression starting on 28 October

The course has been developed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO), the Inter-Parliamentary Union(IPU) andthe Centre for Law and Democracy(CLD).

UNESCO, IPU and the Centre for Law and Democracy are launching a free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to support parliamentarians, and their staff in gaining specialised knowledge on protecting freedom of expressionfor themselves and for citizens globally. The course will start on 28 October 2024 and will cover relevant international law, as well as guidance on addressing practical challenges, such as balancing freedom of expression with other human rights, regulating media and online content, exploring special safeguards for parliamentary speech.

The course will feature various learning activities and involve leading global experts and members of parliament from around the world who will share relevant practices in promoting freedom of expression. The MOOC is designed for parliaments and their members, parliamentary staff, and all key stakeholders in media regulation and universally accessible to anyone with an interest in these matters.

The course will run for a period of five weeks, in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. After successful completion, participants will receive a certificate of achievement.

UNESCO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting the free flow of ideas by word and image, and it works to strengthen the defense of freedom of expression and access to information worldwide. To do so, it empowers actors who can make a difference in protecting human rights through their daily efforts: members of parliaments, judges and prosecutors, law enforcement agents.

The MOOC for parliamentarians is part of the partnership between UNESCO and IPU to raise awareness of members of parliaments on international standards on freedom of expression and safety of journalists to assist them in protecting these rights in national legal frameworks. UNESCO and IPU also organized an on-the-ground workshop for parliamentarians in Nepalfrom 1 to 3 March 2024.

This MOOC builds on UNESCO's successful Judges' Initiative and its work on enhancing freedom of expression and the rule of law. Since 2013, UNESCO has trained over 36,000 judicial actors and more than 12,000 law enforcement agents through a series of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and field trainings. Read more here

The MOOC is supported by IPU and the UNESCO Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists