The University of the South Pacific will now have a Human Rights Defenders Course.

Launched last night, the new 200 level course is part of the Leadership, Governance, and Human Rights Diploma programme.

The Regional Representative from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Heike Alefsen says the global environment has been changing.

However, Alefsen says human rights remain the most important Universal point of reference.

She says the new course will challenge students to understand the diverse set of human rights and to think critically.

Alefsen says students will also be challenged to devise effective actions to defend human rights and to adapt to real-life situations.

Over 30 students have already enrolled for the new course.