The 2026 group of the Human Rights Training Programme for Indigenous Peoples successfully completes its stay in Bilbao

The Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute (IDHPA) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the academic stage on the Bilbao campus of the University of Deusto by the group of scholarship holders taking part in the 2026 edition of the Human Rights Training Programme for Indigenous Peoples, which took place from 20 April to 19 June. This joint initiative with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is supported and funded by the Basque Agency for Cooperation and Solidarity (eLankidetza).

After completing the University Extension Diploma in Bilbao, where they received 140 hours of specialised teaching in the defence of collective rights and territories, the Indigenous leaders travelled to Geneva, Switzerland. There, they began the practical phase of their training at the United Nations headquarters, which includes participation in the 19th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP).

The participants in this edition were:

• María Isabel Jansasoy Jansasoy, from the AWAI organisation (Inga People, Colombia).
• Luis Alonso Abarca González, from the OCEZ-RC organisation (Maya Tzotzil People, Mexico).
• Joel Huaman Balbuena, from the ONPOAAP organisation (Asháninka People, Peru).
• Sailyn Beatriz Fernández Fernández, from the Guajira Human Rights Committee (Wayuu People, Venezuela).
• Leonardo Simón Crisóstomo Loncopán, from the “Winkulmapu” Association of Mapuche Communities (Mapuche People, Chile).
• Awex Melecia Manuela Mejía Cipriano, from the Ceiba Association (K’iche’–Sakapulteka People, Guatemala).
• Gladis Faviola Rodríguez Rodríguez, from the CIOAC organisation (Tojolabal People, Mexico).

The experience at the University of Deusto has enabled this group of Indigenous leaders to strengthen their advocacy skills and share knowledge that will lead to practical projects within their home communities upon their return on 20 July. Collaboration between academia and international cooperation continues to be a key driver in strengthening the organisation of Indigenous Peoples in Latin America.