A First Look at Core Principles and Approaches

      

This course serves as a preview of our Certified Training: Foundations of Humanitarian Action, Part 1. This lesson provides an engaging microlearning experience, introducing fundamental concepts of humanitarian action, and child protection during emergencies. 

The full program is structured into twelve comprehensive modules, covering essential topics such as:

• Humanitarian Principles and Legal Frameworks – Understanding core humanitarian values and international human rights laws
• Protection and Child Safeguarding – Preventing harm and responding effectively to protection concerns
• Equity, Gender, and Inclusion – Addressing discrimination and ensuring equal access to humanitarian support
• Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) 
• Mental Health and Well-Being – Supporting resilience in high-risk settings
• AI for Humanitarian Work – Leveraging technology safely and effectively in humanitarian operations

Join this globally recognized training to build the knowledge and skills needed to make a lasting impact in humanitarian settings.

Children are among the most vulnerable in humanitarian crises, facing risks such as family separation, exploitation, and violence. Protecting their rights and well-being is a fundamental responsibility of all humanitarian workers. This course introduces the core principles and approaches that guide child-centered interventions in emergencies.

Designed for humanitarian workers, local responders, and anyone interested in humanitarian action and child protection, this course serves as a foundational step in understanding the legal and ethical frameworks that underpin child rights in humanitarian action. Participants will explore the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the humanitarian principles that shape humanitarian action and child protection responses, gaining insight into how to create safer environments for children in emergencies.

The course follows a microlearning approach, offering bite-sized lessons (15–20 minutes each) that make it easy to grasp complex human rights concepts. Interactive activities, case studies, and scenario-based exercises provide opportunities for active learning. There are no graded assessments—participants can engage, explore, and retry activities as often as needed to deepen their understanding.

To learn more about the efficacy of online learning and online learning at NextGenU.org please see “A Novel Integration of Online and Flipped Classroom Instructional Models in Public Health Higher Education,” (2014), BMC Medical Education, “Building Public Health Capacity through Online Global Learning,” (2018), Open Praxis, or on NextGenU.org’s publication page.

There are two micro-lessons to complete, which include:

1. Humanitarian Action and the Conventions on the Rights of the Child
2. Child-Centered Approaches in Humanitarian Action

Each micro-lesson takes approximately 15-20 minutes and includes interactive activities and questions to reinforce key concepts. These activities are ungraded and designed to support active learning—participants can attempt them as many times as needed.

At the end of the course, participants must pass a scenario-based quiz that applies their learning to real-world humanitarian challenges. Upon successful completion, participants will earn a certificate of completion, recognizing their foundational knowledge in child protection.

Once you’ve passed the final exam, you can download a certificate of completion from NextGenU.org and our course’s co-sponsoring organizations. We keep your personal information confidential, never sell any of your information, and only use anonymized data for research purposes. Also, we are happy to report your testing information and share your work with anyone (your school, employer, etc.) at your request.

Engaging with this Course:

This course targets anyone interested in learning how to safely utilize AI to enhance their workplace efficiency. You can enroll in this course or  browse this course for free for personal enrichment; there are no requirements.

To obtain a certificate, a learner must successfully complete:

• All the reading requirements

• All quizzes and pass with a 70% with unlimited attempts

• All activities

• The final exam

• The self and course evaluation forms

NextGenU.org is happy to provide your institution with

• A link to and description of the course training so that they can see all its components, including the cosponsoring universities and other professional organization cosponsors;

• Your grade on the final exam;

• Your work products (e.g., case study activities), and any other required or optional shared materials that you produce and authorize to share with them; 

• Your evaluations -- course and self-assessments;

• A copy of your certificate of completion, along with the co-sponsoring universities and other organizations listed.

Next Steps

• Take the short knowledge pre-test. It allows us to assess various aspects of the course itself.

• Complete the registration form.

• Begin the course with Lesson 1: Humanitarian Action and the Conventions on the Rights of the Child.

• In each lesson, read the description, complete all required readings and any required activity, and take the corresponding quizzes.

Disclaimer: This content is designed to enhance your study; we cannot guarantee that the successful completion of these materials will enable you to work in your place of residence as regulations vary by location. If you plan to practice using your new knowledge, to ensure safety and compliance with your local laws, you must successfully complete a program of study approved by the government and relevant local regulatory agencies in your place of practice.