Strength and Solidarity Across Human Rights Movements

Today’s movements for human rights seem simultaneously energised and besieged.  Just as a new generation is showing the greatest courage in challenging rights violations by the strongest people and powers, a backlash continues to grow, attacking the very legitimacy of human rights themselves.  This panel discussion will consider the strength of human rights organisations today (both legal entities and social movements) and the state of solidarity across the field.  Our four panellists are activists in their own right while also serving as moderators in the Symposium on Strength and Solidarity for Human Rights.  As they pursue their own advocacy, and as they have engaged with dozens of human rights activists through the Symposium’s conversations, how do they see the strengths and weaknesses of today’s movements for rights, and where do they see solidarity achieving meaningful force?

The discussion will be moderated by Professor Kate O’Regan and feature these panellists:

• Alberto Vásquez is a human rights lawyer and disability rights advocate. He is the co-director of the Center for Inclusive Policy (CIP) and president of the Peruvian NGO Sociedad y Discapacidad - SODIS (Society and Disability)
• Emilie Palamy Pradichit, the Founder & Executive Director of Manushya Foundation, is an intersectional feminist visionary & international human rights lawyer specializing in accessing justice for marginalized communities
• Nani Jansen Reventlow, the founder of Systemic Justice, is a human rights lawyer specialised in strategic litigation at the intersection of human rights, social justice, and technology
• Samson Itodo, the founding director of Yiaga Africa, is a community organiser and development practitioner with over a decade’s experience in constitution building, governance reform, electoral governance, civic engagement, and political organising

When: 17 July 2024, 5 – 6.30pm, followed by a drinks reception