Thematic Areas

Learn more about how we integrate our activities in education, research, advocacy, and partnerships around specific key topics.

Core issues and advancements

We are currently concentrating on both transversal and specific thematic areas, including innovative pedagogy in human rights higher education; capacity development in human rights, democratisation and climate justice; children’s rights and child participation; and the intersection of arts and human rights

Educational Approaches to Human Rights Education

We equip our students with the essential skills to work and have an impact in the fields of human rights and democracy in the 21st century. In a complex and pluralistic world, our programme are guided by relevance, interdisciplinarity, and a critical approach.

Capacity Development

We contribute to the affirmation of human rights and sustainable development in developing countries, nations in transition and democracies under pressure. By bridging academia and development cooperation, we assist with tools and skills building, training, and internationalisation.

Photo © UNICEF_UNI43560_LeMoyne

Children's Rights

As a a network in action, we work to elevate the awareness of children’s rights and increase children’s participation in matters that affect their present and future lives. We connect scholars with activists, children and youth, and we foster non-traditional modes of education, research and advocacy

Human Rights Defenders

We support selected academics and researchers facing threats, offering scholarships and resources to continue their work safely. We provide a vital lifeline through education and research opportunities, ensuring their work and voices persist.

Arts, Sports and Human Rights

Arts and sports are powerful vehicles for human rights expressions, engagement, and transformation. From performances and visual storytelling to physical endurance and collective actions, both fields offer universal languages that connect people across cultures and backgrounds.

Human Rights Preparedness Blog

Human rights are essential for emergency preparedness. Our blog draws insights from historical and current events to advocate for future readiness, emphasising a rights-based approach.

Africa

How US-Israel attack on Iran is impacting Africa

12/03/2026

The war between the United States, Israel and Iran may appear geographically distant from Africa. Yet its consequences are being felt across the continent. For millions of Africans from the Horn of Africa to Uganda, Sudan, the Gulf of Guinea and South Africa, among others, the conflict is not simply a geopolitical crisis. It is rapidly becoming a human rights crisis driven by inflation, food insecurity,...

Alumni Regional Correspondents

Student protests in Serbia: new standard of civil disobedience

05/03/2026

A collapse of railway canopy in Serbia has sparked mass protests which spread nationwide and this student-led movement inspiring widespread civil resistance could mark the start of a seismic shift toward greater justice, transparency and accountability in the country’s politics.