The Institute of Human Rights & Environmental Studies (IHES) is established under; and espouses the following principles:
1. It is run independently and endeavours to bridge the gaps resulting from the monopoly of state run institutions and other non-specialist institutions in the private sector in the skilling of human rights professionals and environmental scientists, policy makers and practitioners. The Institute therefore provides knowledge, employable skills and tools outside the traditional teaching practices while tackling the skills gap and policy challenges in the all-important fields of human rights promotion, protection, as well as environmental conservation; with the ultimate goal of ensuring sustainable development.
2. It generates materials and tools that empower clients, graduates and students to understand their civic responsibilities, their environment and the labour market and to gain access to industry players, public sector institutions, international partners, as well as well researched human rights and environmental studies offered by the best institutions from around the world.
3. It encompasses the approach of a human rights based approach to development and programming, Entrepreneurship, innovation and best practices using and exploiting available relatively cost effective technological tools and information such as online training and learning.
4. It offers consultancy, research and hands-on training in such key areas like Human Rights promotion and protection; including pro-bono defence to vulnerable persons and communities, Sustainable Business Management and Development, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, IT based solutions, International IT Services and trade, International Human Rights Law, Intellectual and human rights aspects of trade, Human rights aspects in law and practice; Legal aspects of environmental and health standards in local and international trade, regulatory, enforcement as well as precautionary interventions in the above fields, programming as well as monitoring and evaluation of national and international programs and projects.
5. It offers trail-blazing training and research in African human rights and environmental protection institutions, their strengths and weaknesses, human and environmental rights in relation to project financing as well as means for raising capital to finance human and environmental related projects and programs. Adaptations and standard considerations on innovation, small and medium enterprises focusing on sustainable production processes, value addition and exportation.
6. It offers an array of consultancy and well researched studies, policy papers and briefs in the areas of human rights and sustainable development, innovation, sustainable natural resource exploitation and management by focusing on the extractive sector, environmental auditing and environmental management systems, tourism and environmental conservation in line with the relevant best practices and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
7. It adopts, adapts and applies best teaching practices – interactive, practical, innovative and dynamic.
8. It is well-furnished, connected and accessible in an environment conducive to modern learning and encouraging global understanding of the issues at stake.
9. It is amenable to the use of ICT, including online learning and internet based research & communication.
10. It is flexible and affordable to the clients – communities, students as well as private and public sector personnel.
11. It offers a variety of skills development courses at different levels and collaborates with other reputable institutions.
12. It provides cutting edge research in the areas of Comparative human rights and environmental studies, policy formulation, reform and implementation of programs and projects in the focus areas.
13. It provides a pool of experts and thinkers that have the capacity and passion to raise and address the most important human rights, environmental and governance questions slowing and or negatively impacting Africa’s and global development.