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Networking Events

Since its inception, including its earlier configuration as EIUC, the Global Campus has hosted a wide range of events catering to experts, faculty, activists, diplomats, officials, students, alumni, and the general public. These include workshops, panel discussions, conversations, networking events, research conferences, presentations, and public awareness initiatives. 

Explore a selection of highlights below.

High-Level Conferences on the Global State of Human Rights

Organised in partnership with key international organisations, our annual high-level conferences bring together leading experts, activists, and policymakers from around the world to share insights and propose actionable solutions.
Some highlights from recent editions:
 
  • 2024 Edition: Co-organised with Right Livelihood, this conference tackled challenges faced by human rights defenders, with a special focus on exile, conflict, and environmental degradation. A key outcome was the issuance of the ‘Venice Statement: Reconceptualising Exile for Human Rights Defenders at Risks’, guided by human rights defenders who spoke at the event.
  • 2023 Edition: Marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights, the event reflected on the achievements of the global human rights system and explored ways to adapt for the future. The conference culminated in the ‘Venice Statement: Towards a New Era for Human Rights’.
  • 2022 Edition: In partnership with the European Parliament, the programme focused on children’s rights, covering topics like children behind bars, children affected by violence, and youth as agents of change. The event concluded with a concert by the Human Rights Orchestra, conducted by Alessio Allegrini, at Teatro La Fenice.
  • 2021 Edition: Collaborating with the European Parliament, the conference explored topics such as business accountability under EU due diligence law, international justice mechanisms, and the challenges of a values-based foreign policy in responding to global human rights and democracy issues.

International Conference on Human Rights and Democratisation

Organised in partnership with our member universities and hosted in different locations of the Global Campus network, these events addresse a specific human rights concern that relevant both at global and regional level.
Some highlights from recent editions:
 
  • 2023 Edition on Science and Human Rights: hosted by the Centre for Political Studies of the Universidad Nacional de San Martín in Buenos Aires, this conference focused on raising awareness about the intersections between human rights, the right to science, scientific freedom, and responsibility. The event also highlighted intersectional approaches, with a special emphasis on gender equality.
  • 2022 Edition (Online) on Mental Health – Children’s Perspectives on the Challenges and Ways Forward: Coordinated by the Kathmandu School of Law, this conference prioritised meaningful child participation, intergenerational dialogue, and research on children’s rights. Preceded by child-led consultations in seven languages with 111 children from nine countries, the event was led by 17 members of the Global Campus Children Leadership Team, chosen by their peers during the consultations.
  • 2021 Edition (Hybrid) on Climate Change and Children: Impact, Rights, and Participation: Organised by the Centre for European Studies of Yerevan State University, this conference gathered experts, state representatives, NGOs, and policymakers to explore the impact of climate change on future generations, with a focus on children’s rights and participation.
  • 2019 Edition on the UN Global Study on Children Deprived of Liberty: Organised by the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria, this conference introduced the Global Study’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations. It also aimed to develop National Action Plans (NAPs) and facilitate stakeholder engagement through capacity-building activities. The event was part of the “HRDA20Years: Twenty Years of Righting Wrongs in Africa” celebration.
  • 2018 Edition on Skepticism and Adversity to Human Rights: Held at Saint Joseph University in Beirut, this conference sought to challenge the pessimistic discourse surrounding human rights and democratisation. Key sessions addressed topics such as “Human Rights in the Age of Dictators and Populists” and post-Arab Spring developments. It was part of the Beirut Human Rights Week 2018.
  • Previous Editions: Other conferences have tackled critical topics such as Democracy Under Threat (University of Pretoria), Liquid Reconciliation: Global Perspectives, Local Realities (University of Sarajevo – GC Southeast Europe), In Search of Regional Perspectives on Democratisation (Mahidol University – GC Asia Pacific), and Truth, Justice, and Memory for Serious Human Rights Violations (Universidad Nacional de San Martín).
Visit nochildbehindbars.com

Global Classrooms

A flagship student-centred research initiative, the Global Classroom programme unites students, professors, and experts from the Global Campus regional programmes to engage in collaborative research on a pressing global topic. Each year, participants conduct team-based research, culminating in a week-long conference to explore the issue through various regional perspectives. This event encourages inter-regional academic dialogue and addresses global human rights challenges.

Past Global Classrooms events:

Policy Observatory Workshops

In March 2024 Global Campus alumni and policy analysts, as well as expert discussants from different countries, gathered to explore “The Digitalisation of Education Systems and its Impact on Human Rights, with a particular focus on the right to education”, the central theme of the 2024 Policy Observatory. This workshop, supported by the EU and the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and coordinated by GC Research Manager Chiara Altafin, served as a platform for examining emerging trends, sharing best practices, and formulating policy recommendations. The discussions were crucial for finalising research outputs conducted by GC policy analysts across the regions of Asia-Pacific, the Middle East & North Africa, Africa, Europe, South East Europe, Latin America, and the Caucasus.

Nelson Mandela World Moot Court

The Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition is a prestigious global event that unites law students from around the world to engage in simulated court proceedings addressing cutting-edge human rights issues. Established in 2009 to honor Nelson Mandela’s legacy, the competition challenges participants to present compelling legal arguments before panels of distinguished judges, including renowned human rights experts and officials. 

Organised by the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, with support from the Global Campus and in partnership with the United Nations, it serves as a transformative platform to educate and inspire future human rights defenders while fostering cross-cultural dialogue and legal excellence. The final round is held at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, offering participants a unique and meaningful experience.

Visit the Moot Court Competition website

Diplomatic Conferences

Organised by EIUC (the predecessor of the Global Campus of Human Rights) in partnership with the Working Party on Human Rights (COHOM) of the Council of the EU, the Diplomatic Conferences provided a crucial platform for dialogue on global challenges. Held over a decade until 2016, these events brought together diplomats, policymakers, academics, and practitioners to address themes such as the rights of migrants and refugees, regulatory developments in business and human rights, the EU’s role at UN human rights fora, transitional justice, economic and social rights, the global economic crisis, and counterterrorism strategies. Beyond raising awareness of these pressing issues, the conferences contributed to actionable strategies, fostering international cooperation and driving policy changes to strengthen human rights frameworks.

Past Global Classrooms:

  • Just Transition: Conditions for Change of the Global Order (2024, Bishkek) – Programme
  • Internal Displacement (2022, Pretoria) – Programme
  • Covid-19 Pandemic and Economic and Social Rights (2021, online) – Programme
  • Children Deprived of Liberty (2020, online) – Programme
  • New Technologies and Human Rights (2019, Buenos Aires)
  • The Influence of Diaspora on Democracy-Building Processes: Behavioural Diversity (2018, Yerevan)
  • Securitisation and the Impact on Human Rights and Democracy: Human Security in time of Insecurity (2017, Bangkok) – Programme
  • Intractable human rights situations and failed international responses to crises (2016, Venice) – Programme
  • The impact on human rights of foreign debt and economic crises (2015, Venice)
  • The Universal Periodic Review (2014, Venice)
  • The Millennium Development Goals (2013, Venice)
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