Sanford School of Public Policy
Duke University
Humanitarian Assistance and Human Rights
This course provides participants with a thorough introduction to international humanitarian assistance, human rights, and human security. It explores how the international community can better respond to humanitarian crises such as the Southeast Asian tsunami, HIV-AIDS in Africa, or ongoing civil conflict in countries such as Sudan. It also examines the importance of both cooperation and collaboration on a global scale by organizations such as the International Red Cross, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Médecins sans Frontières (MSF), and development organizations.
The 2009 Humanitarian Assistance and Human Rights course will run from June 22-June 26, 2009. (Course dates for 2010 are yet to be determined)
Course-Only Option
For summer 2009, the program will offer students the option of directly enrolling in one or more of the intensive weeklong courses for academic credit (without the internship component of the program). For more information on this option, please click here.
Course Director Information
Amy E. Hepburn is a policy professional who has researched, published, and programmed extensively on issues affecting children in complex humanitarian emergencies including armed conflict and HIV/AIDS in the Balkans, Eastern and Southern Africa , and the Republic of Georgia.
Her clients include international NGOs, the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees in Geneva, the United States Department of State, and the United States Agency for International Development. Her research and programming interests include the education and holistic care of children in complex humanitarian emergencies-- particularly those orphaned by HIV/AIDS in eastern and southern Africa and/or affected by armed conflict.
Ms. Hepburn co-directed the Duke University-HEI Graduate Program on Global Governance and Policy in Geneva, Switzerland from 2001-2005. She currently teaches international humanitarian law and policy as part of the Program. Ms. Hepburn is a Senior Research Fellow in the Duke University, Health Inequalities Program as is adjunct faculty at The George Washington University, Elliott School of International Affairs where she teaches on the care of children in complex humanitarian emergencies.
Ms. Hepburn currently resides in Washington, D.C. with her husband and three children. She received both her undergraduate and graduate degrees with honors from Duke University.
Class on the Sanford Building Lawn