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The publication is both a record of these impactful workshops and a valuable resource for human rights defenders, activists, and anyone engaged in advocacy and social change.
We are glad to announce that the Global Campus Europe / EMA awarded theses 2022/2023 selected for the publication are online and you can find them at our Repository. The five theses are: – Voices Unheard, Stories Untold. A Qualitative Content Analysis of Gender Bias in War Reporting and Human Rights Journalism as a Viable Alternative, written by Jozefien Dierynck and supervised by Antonis Gardikiotis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. http://dx.doi.org/10.25330/2697 – The Good Ukrainian, the Bad Syrian, the Ugly Afghan (and the Forgotten Ones). Reframing Migration Governance through Michel Foucault’s and Hannah Arendt’s Legacies written by Clarisse Fagard and supervised by Graham Finlay, University College Dublin. http://dx.doi.org/10.25330/2698 – Beneath the City’s Shining Facade, Discrimination and Death in the Sewers. An Analysis of India’s Right to Life Obligations to Eradicate the Caste-Based Practice of Hazardous Manual Sewer Cleaning, written by Yamuna Kali and supervised by Michel Rouleau-Dick, Åbo Akademi University. http://dx.doi.org/10.25330/2699 – Mind the Gap: Incorporating Human Rights into the Curricula of Undergraduate Business Programmes, written by Sara Rentroia Pacheco and supervised by Carmen Márquez-Carrasco and Laura Garcia Martin, University of Seville. http://dx.doi.org/10.25330/2700 – When the Land no Longer Provides. Human Rights and the Status of “Climate Refugees” in the Sahel, written by Daniel George Shynn and supervised by Matjaž Nahtigal, University of Ljubljana. http://dx.doi.org/10.25330/2701 Each year the EMA Council selects five theses which stand out for: – originality of the research topic, and its relevance and importance (including its contribution to the promotion and implementation of human rights and democratic values); – innovation with respect to argument, methodology, and theoretical approach, including case studies; – exceptional knowledge of the academic literature and excellent capacity for critical analysis; – clarity of structure, language and argumentation of a publishable standard with minimum revisions The five theses are awarded with the online publication after an editing review.
Global Campus of Human Rights: EMA awarded theses 2022/2023 Read More »
The Global Campus of Human Rights (GC) and the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities (AIPG), in collaboration with the Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (I-GMAP) at Binghamton University, are thrilled to announce the call for applications for the third edition of the Joint Annual Engaged Artivist Award on Atrocity Prevention and Human Rights. Eligible Artivists may submit their applications from October 10 until December 10, 2024 (Human Rights Day). The purpose of this Award is to recognize the work of Artivists (artist-activists), highlighting the original ways in which they respond creatively to large-scale identity-based violence and mass atrocity in varying conflict contexts and geographic regions across the globe. The concept of “Art as Atrocity Prevention” is related to the role of the arts in mitigating risk factors associated with genocide, other mass atrocities, and identity-based violence, as well as the use of the arts as a powerful tool to contribute to the transformation of post-atrocity societies. The sponsoring institutions understand atrocity prevention broadly. Among other things, artistic interventions can be seen as preventive when they: – Contribute to improving the human rights of groups of people who have been marginalized; – Call attention to violence or discrimination against groups of people; – Demand justice for past human rights violations; – or Depict visions for a different future where identity-based violence is less likely to occur. This Joint Annual Engaged Artivist Award emphasizes the ways in which Artivists around the world are working directly to mitigate atrocity risk factors, as well as the importance of art as an effective tool in processes of healing, reconciliation, and reparations. It encourages engaged artists to reflect on their role in the prevention of identity-based violence and the promotion of human rights by taking action, choosing a human rights issue and using art as a tool for effective communication. The aim of this Award is to strengthen the quintessential role of the arts in the prevention of systematic violence, demonstrating how art may be used as a grassroots tool for addressing political violence and human rights abuses — and for advancing peacebuilding, transitional justice, and prevention efforts. The award will be given to one selected Artivist to support their work related to the topic of genocide and mass atrocity prevention, broadly understood. The selected Artivist will benefit from a year-long residency during which the sponsoring institutions will provide the following resources: – A residency from mid-August 2025 to January 2026 at the Global Campus of Human Rights headquarters in Venice, Italy, with the possibility to participate actively in the educational activities of the Global Campus during this period and audit relevant classes and with a stipend of EUR 12,360 to support room and board, workspace, and any other needs; – A residency from January 2026 to May 2026 at Binghamton University’s Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention in Binghamton, New York, with the possibility to audit relevant classes and with a stipend of USD 22,000 to support housing and other needs; – A week-long visit to one of the offices of the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities in either New York (USA), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Kampala (Uganda), Bucharest (Romania), or Oświęcim (Poland); and – The costs associated with travel to and from Venice, travel to and from Binghamton and travel to and from to an Auschwitz Institute office, including all relevant visas (as necessary and separately). The selected Artivist will be honored during the Ceremony of the Awarding of Diplomas of the “European Master in Human Rights and Democratisation” (Global Campus Europe) in Venice, Italy, at the end of September 2025. That ceremony will also feature the work of the awarded artivist. In the past, this has included a display of selected past works or a performance. As art comes in many forms, the concrete manner will be decided in advance of the ceremony together with the artivist. Following the two residencies, the three institutions will offer a joint certificate to the Artivist acknowledging the completion of the unique artistic visiting research period. The call for applications is open to Artivists from October 10, 2024 until December 10, 2024 by clicking here Interested Artivists are asked to submit the following materials: – A resume or CV; – A written proposal of no more than 2 pages describing what the Artivist would like to accomplish over the award period. This can include the development or creation of a new artistic piece, or a justification for how the artist plans to benefit from the professional development resources of the three institutions; – Photographs or other documentation of your past artistic intervention that engages with the themes of the award; and – A short biographical statement of the Artivist and references. For more information, contact the selection committee at award.GC.AIPG@gmail.com Organizers: Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities: jens.stappenbeck@auschwitzinstitute.org Global Campus of Human Rights in Venice, IT: communications@gchumanrights.org Binghamton University’s Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention in NY, USA: kwhigham@binghamton.edu
The Global Classroom 2024 programme, which focused on the theme “Just Transition: Conditions for Change of the Global Order,” brought together students from eight regional Master’s programmes in the Global Campus network to share their different viewpoints.
Global Campus Student Abstracts 2024 on the topic Just Transition recently published! Read More »
Our partner RIGHT LIVELIHOOD announced today four new Laureates at a Press Conference STOCKHOLM – Right Livelihood Press Release – This year’s Right Livelihood Laureates have each made a profound impact on their communities and the global stage. Their unwavering commitment to speaking out against forces of oppression and exploitation, while strictly adhering to non-violent methods, resonates far beyond their communities. With violence raging in all parts of the world, these Laureates show that the way forward is through empowering communities, peace-making, and a steadfast commitment to truth. Their work serves as a beacon of hope in these challenging times. The 2024 Right Livelihood Award goes to: Joan Carling (Philippines) “for raising Indigenous voices in the face of the global ecological breakdown and her leadership in defending people, lands and culture,” Issa Amro and Youth Against Settlements (Palestine) “for their steadfast non-violent resistance to Israel’s illegal occupation, promoting Palestinian civic action through peaceful means,” Anabela Lemos and Justiça Ambiental! (Mozambique) “for empowering communities to stand up for their right to say no to exploitative mega-projects and demand environmental justice,” and Forensic Architecture (UK) “for pioneering digital forensic methods to ensure justice and accountability for victims and survivors of human and environmental rights violations.” “The 2024 Laureates demonstrate the power of non-violent resistance and truthtelling, placing decision-making into the hands of local communities. Faced with violence, exploitation and oppression, this year’s Laureates are charting ways towards a just, peaceful and sustainable future for all. Let their commitment inspire us all to be braver and take action for the benefit of our communities!” said Ole von Uexkull, Right Livelihood’s Executive Director during their Press Conference today followed by the Global Campus of Human Rights press office. Anabela Lemos and Justiça Ambiental! are the first Laureate from Mozambique to receive the Right Livelihood Award. Short biographies of the 2024 Laureates Joan Carling Joan Carling is a Filipino Indigenous activist who has been defending the rights of Indigenous Peoples for more than 30 years. Her work spans grassroots and international levels, focusing on human rights, sustainable development, climate justice and the fight against land exploitation. Since the late 1990s, Carling has led multiple Indigenous rights organisations. She continues to play a pivotal role in amplifying the voices of Indigenous Peoples across the Philippines, Asia, and globally, with a focus on combating the systemic marginalisation and criminalisation of Indigenous communities. Carling has dedicated her life to protecting Indigenous communities, often at great personal risk. She has been unjustly arrested, labelled a terrorist, falsely accused of crimes and received threats on her life. Despite this, she continues to fight for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, helping communities defend their lands and resist exploitation by powerful corporate and state interests. Carling’s advocacy has had a profound impact, from helping stop destructive mining projects opposed by Indigenous communities to influencing policies on Indigenous women’s rights at the United Nations. Her work in the Philippines, one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Indigenous Peoples—where activists are frequently targeted, killed and forcibly disappeared—has been especially critical. By empowering Indigenous Peoples to defend themselves against these threats, Carling has helped communities across the Philippines take an active role in defending their rights and protecting their lands. “This recognition sends a powerful message—not just to me, but to all activists—that our work is being acknowledged. It encourages others to keep fighting for human rights and shows that standing up for what’s right can make a global impact.” Joan Carling Issa Amro and Youth Against Settlements Issa Amro is a Palestinian human rights activist who has dedicated his life to peaceful resistance against Israeli occupation in the West Bank city of Hebron. Together with the activist group he founded, Youth Against Settlements (YAS), he has become a leading voice in the non-violent movement, striving to create a future where Palestinians live freely and with dignity. His efforts have garnered international recognition, and his strict commitment to non-violence stands in stark contrast to the violent realities of the Israeli occupation. Amro and YAS have successfully mobilised local communities and international allies to resist the ongoing Israeli occupation through peaceful means. YAS plays an essential role in documenting human rights violations, organising protests, and supporting local communities in Hebron who live under constant threats and attacks from Israeli settlers and military forces. The group’s initiatives have also served as an inspiration for non-violent resistance in other Palestinian cities under Israeli occupation. Amro and the group have been under constant pressure from settlers, the Israeli military and also the Palestinian Authority. Amro has been detained, tortured, attacked on the streets, evicted from home and subjected to judicial harassment. However, he has kept his unwavering commitment to non-violent resistance, which he sees as the only way to achieve justice and peace for the people of Palestine. “Receiving the Right Livelihood Award makes me feel happy, proud, motivated and inspired to continue my hard work to defend human rights in Palestine, to defend Palestinian children’s rights, Palestinian women’s rights and the Palestinian people’s right to remain and live with freedom, justice and equality in their land.” Issa Amro Anabela Lemos and Justiça Ambiental! Anabela Lemos is a Mozambican environmental activist and Director of Justiça Ambiental! (JA!), an organisation committed to environmental justice in Mozambique. For over 20 years, Lemos and JA! have fought corporate-led projects that displace communities, damage livelihoods and intensify climate change. The organisation’s leadership in the ‘Say No to Gas Campaign’ has brought international attention to the environmental and human rights violations caused by liquid natural gas (LNG) extraction projects in northern Mozambique. In addition to grassroots activism, JA! is renowned for its effective global advocacy, particularly against Mozambique LNG, a 24-billion-USD gas extraction project in Cabo Delgado backed by TotalEnergies. The organisation has built alliances with civil society in over 23 countries to challenge this project. By providing critical on-the-ground evidence
2024 Right Livelihood Award Read More »
As the Global Campus prepares for the next round of internships, the achievements of the 2023-2024 cohort set a high standard.
Following the success of many important activities of our network, the Global Campus of Human Rights published the 13th edition of its seasonal Magazine in English and Italian. This promotional publication is structured in the following sections: – Interviews by the Press Office and Contributions; – News and Events of the Global Campus of Human Rights at local and international level. – Promotion campaigns to raise awareness of our impact and attract more supporters. “The 13th GC Magazine provides an excellent overview of the broad variety of Global Campus activities during the first half of 2024. A highlight was the 4th High-Level Venice Conference on the Global State of Human Rights, organized together with our partner Right Livelihood around our project “Reconceptualizing Exile” and dedicated to the shrinking space for human rights defenders in an increasingly hostile environment in many parts of our contemporary world. It brought together human rights defenders from Asia, the Arab world, Russia, Africa and Latin America, who continue their human rights work in exile with the support of the Global Campus and Right Livelihood, as well as high level participants from the UN, including the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor, the OSCE, including the Director of ODIHR Matteo Mecacci, the Council of Europe and the EU, artists and our GC academic community. Following the 2023 Venice Statement: Towards a New Era for Human Rights, and together with the human rights defenders attending the conference, we reflected on their lived experiences and the wider conference discussions in our 2024 Venice Statement on “Reconceptualising Exile for Human Rights Defenders at Risk”, which you can also find in this GC Magazine.” Global Campus Secretary General, Manfred Nowak. For more information contact our Press and Communications PR Offices: Elisa Aquino – Isotta Esposito – Francesca Sante pressoffice@gchumanrights.org - communications@gchumanrights.org Read the Magazines in our Open Knowledge Repository: http://dx.doi.org/10.25330/2696 Stay tuned for the 14th issue of the Magazine coming up in December in English and Italian. #GCHumanRights #GCHumanRightsPress #GCHumanRightsMagazine
Thirteen Issue of the Global Campus of Human Rights Magazine Read More »
The Global Campus of Human Rights recently published the Policy Briefs 2024 following the successful completion of the 6th edition of the Global Campus Policy Observatory, which revolved around the research project on ‘The digitalisation of education systems and its impact on human rights, with particular attention to the right to education’ .
Global Campus Policy Observatory: Policy Briefs 2024 are Now Online Read More »
In a grand celebration of academic excellence and human rights advocacy, the European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratisation (EMA, Global Campus Europe) marked the end of another successful academic year with its Diploma Awarding Ceremony held on 22 September 2024. The prestigious event took place at the historical Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista in Venice, serving as a testament to the dedication and passion of 82 graduates from 32 countries. The ceremony also marks a significant moment: the inauguration of the 28th cohort for the academic year 2024/2025, welcoming 78 students from 32 countries. The ceremony was opened by Veronica Gomez, the President of the Global Campus of Human Rights, Manfred Nowak, the Secretary General of the Global Campus, Orla Ní Cheallacháin, EMA Programme Director and Diego Vecchiato from the Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista. They extended a warm welcome to the graduating students, their families, professors, and a global network of supporters, including representatives of the European Union as the main partner and donor, from partner organizations and local guests and the ceremony’s keynote speakers. The ceremony’s opening speeches were given by Sabrina Ugolini, newly appointed President of the Italian Inter-Ministerial Committee for Human Rights, and Micha Ramakers, Deputy Head of Unit Gender Equality, Human Rights and Democratic Governance, DG INTPA, European Commission. “The CIDU, placed since 1978 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, ensures the role of governmental coordination among Italian Administrations in their relations with international bodies on the issue of respect for human rights and has always fostered ongoing dialogue between institutions, civil society and academia,” said Sabrina Ugolini. “Today, we live in a world where human rights and democracy are increasingly attacked, and narratives are developed or resurface that question the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights. There is a backlash that involves the use of pernicious new strategies and tools, notably in the digital sphere, that we had not seen before. In such a world human rights professionals are more than ever key actors and drivers of renewed positive change. This is why we support the Global Campus”, said Micha Ramakers. The highlight for students and guests was the keynote address by HE, Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo. For 20 years EMA students have travelled to Kosovo at the end of their first semester to see first-hand the realities of human rights field work, and the wide range of actors that are required to rebuild society after war. This experience has always been a key highlight of the EMA year for our students, helping them to develop skills that are now more necessary then ever considering horrific violence taking place in Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and elsewhere. “This academic year we have an even greater reason to celebrate, due to two milestones that have been reached. First, on December 10, 2023, we marked the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the landmark document that launched the modern human rights movement. And second, this year was also the 20th time that students from the EMA program embarked on a field trip to Kosova — the country I lead — to learn first hand about what it means to promote human rights and democratization in a real-world setting. I have had the pleasure of welcoming them to Kosova every year.” Declared Albin Kurti. “The EMA graduates, celebrated during the 2024 Graduation Ceremony, remind us of the reason why the EMA programme and the Global Campus were established by our university network and the EU in the 1990s: to educate professionals ready to engage in the essential work demanded by global polycrises and conflict situations our world continues to be the stage of.” – said Manfred Nowak. “This expertise has always been key to assist countries torn apart by wars or taking their first steps into democracy.” Established in 1997, the EMA programme is the longest-running and largest regional network in the Global Campus. In its decades-long history, the EMA programme has been a pioneer in inter-university cooperation growing from an original group of 10 universities to a network of 43 universities representing all EU member states, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The EMA programme is possible due to the dedication, energy and commitment of our 43 EMA Directors, who ensure that the programme continues to live up to the vision of its founders, to shape the state of the art in human rights education through mobility exchange and collaboration in teaching and research. The graduation ceremony, and governance meetings that take place before them, are an important moment to recognise and to celebrate the contributions of EMA universities, and the support they give to the graduating students throughout their academic journey in EMA. Among significant moments of the Ceremony were the EMAlumni Award 2024, introduced by Hélène Bauwens, President of the EMA Alumni Association. This year’s award was given to Andra Matei, founder of Avant-Garde Lawyers, for her tireless work to protect cultural rights defenders and artists at risk and promote the right to freedom of artistic expression in a time where civic and cultural space is ever shrinking. The award is a glass sculpture entitled “Collective Memory” generously donated by artist Koen Vanmechelen and Fondazione Berengo. In addition, the second Joint Annual Engaged Artivist Award on Atrocity Prevention and Human Rights has been presented to the artivist Kai Mata. The year-long artistic residency award is symbolized with a Murano glass sculpture created by Venetian designer Eleonora Vaccari in collaboration with our partners from the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities (AIPG) and Binghamton University (G-IMAP). Finally, Global Campus Europe has given the second scholarship in memory of our late colleague Nicola Tonon, IT and web marketing specialist, to Abdus Sadiq, EMA student of the 2024/2025 cohort, from Pakistan. “The EMA graduation ceremony 2024 is the occasion for the Global Campus of Human Rights to bring an old-time partnership into light, that with the Scuola Grande of San Giovanni Evangelista“, said Elisabetta Noli, Administrative Director of the Global Campus. “The Scuola hosted one edition of the graduation in the past. This year, thanks to the Scuola welcoming us again, we have an opportunity to strengthen cooperation and include the EMA Graduation among the different human rights and
We, the Global Campus of Human Rights and Right Livelihood, convened members of the global human rights community in Venice on 24 and 25 May 2024 for the fourth annual Conference on the Global State of Human Rights. Among them was a group of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) courageously continuing their important work despite being forced outside of their countries of origin by repressive governments and an increasingly perilous environment. These HRDs joined us not only as important voices during our conference discussions but as a group participated in further workshops and discussions which are the basis of this following Statement. Our shared aim was to reflect and deepen our collective understanding of the lived experiences of at-risk HRDs in the promotion of a rights-based and peaceful world order. This aim was our priority for 2024, while we reaffirm and recommit to the findings set out in the Venice Statement: Towards a New Era of Human Rights issued at the third Global State of Human Rights Conference held in 2023.[1] Today, we are faced with the urgency of responding to a polycrisis, where various current crises interact, creating complex and devastating consequences that are difficult to effectively address. In 2024, most prominently is the rise of authoritarianism worldwide and shrinking civic spaces, the intersection of the increasing number of armed conflicts causing untold horrors and suffering to communities in various parts of the world, and human-induced climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution causing irreversible destruction to our planet home. Cumulatively, these lead to systemic, grave, and widespread human rights violations today that will carry on having a serious impact on future generations. We acknowledge the continuing contributions and positive impact of HRDs to protect human rights, uphold the rule of law, and call for accountability. These individuals and groups of HRDs include but are not limited to indigenous groups, women, girls, children, LGBTIQ, and Environmental HRDs. Professionals, including artists, who actively engage in defending human rights also play an essential role in shedding light on injustices, challenging oppressive systems, and inspiring others to stand up for their rights. Despite the achievements made in the past 25 years since the adoption of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, the environment in which HRDs conduct their work has increasingly deteriorated over the last years in all parts of the world, including increased frequency of killings, threats to life, being deprived of physical and mental safety and wellbeing, attacks on property, and similar threats to their families, friends, and colleagues. At the same time, we note the increased impunity with which certain state and non-state actors continue to violate international human rights law, humanitarian law, environmental law, and other established principles of international law. This leads to further distrust in institutions to effectively protect our international legal order, which has severe and partly irreversible consequences across generations. We highlight three aspects related to the work of HRDs which stand out to us in relevance and gravity today: the experience of at-risk HRDs forced into exile, the work of HRDs in conflict contexts, and the work of Environmental HRDs. Reconceptualising Exile for Human Rights Defenders at Risk While some mechanisms are in place for the protection and support of at-risk HRDs and those who are close to them, including relocation programmes, there is still much to learn from their lived experiences. We commit to adopting a meaningful human rights-based process of learning and research, following the principles of ‘do no harm’, conflict sensitivity and gender equality, and special consideration for the mental and physical health and wellbeing of HRDs. Despite certain general and shared experiences and conditions, each HRD faces unique circumstances which need attention. We start from the understanding that exile has, within its colloquial meaning, negative connotations, carrying notions of stigma, marginalisation, and discrimination. Improving our understanding of this concept, however, may pave the way for a deeper appreciation of the challenges and suffering at-risk HRDs often face when moving into exile, and how to remedy and overcome them as adequately as possible. There are numerous practical challenges at least at three stages: 1) when evaluating the option to leave, 2) during the passage to a new country or location, and 3) integrating successfully in the new country or location. These include but are not limited to lack of access to comprehensive risk assessment, health insurance and access to medical services, access to travel authorisations, visas, and possibly emergency travel documentation, as well as clarification on educational and skills certification to find meaningful employment opportunities once relocated. Developing an understanding of how to design and improve mechanisms to effectively support at-risk HRDs at all stages of the process is a powerful tool to fight against the pain and stigma of exile and build a transnational support structure. Defending Human Rights during Times of War and Conflict We deeply regret to note that despite the gains made by humanity, especially over the past 125 years since the first Hague Peace Conference of 1899, which articulated the Means and Methods of Warfare and established the Principles of Humanity, the 21st century continues armed conflict as a tool for dispute resolution. This ‘tool’ is already bringing untold suffering and sorrow to millions of lives and irreversible destruction to our planet and carries the potential of complete destruction through the possible use of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear weapons. It is the duty of the global human rights movement to continue its fight towards ending the use of weapons and violence as a means to resolve conflict, and, instead, resort to peaceful means including through a strengthened international judicial architecture. This route also allows us to honour the collective memory of those who lived through the pain and suffering which armed conflict carries without exception. We urgently call upon all states and non-state actors engaged in armed conflict to cease fire, enter negotiations, and pursue peaceful means of resolving their disputes respecting international law, human rights law and humanitarian law. This action includes respecting the decisions and integrity of
Venice Statement: Reconceptualising Exile for Human Rights Defenders at Risk Read More »