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.

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

The ‘Union of Skills’: attracting ‘the best and the brightest’ between new strategies and hard balance with human rights

11/09/2025

The new EU strategy on skills aims to attract and retain talent from third countries to fill skills gaps, support higher education and strengthen competitiveness. It is worth analysing the human rights implications, highlighting positive aspects and potential critical issues.

Africa

A call to action: strengthening the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

04/09/2025

To turn the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls into meaningful action demands all hands on deck to dismantle violence against women and girls and amplify the voices of survivors. The current call for a structured review highlight the need for stakeholder consultation to address gaps in implementation, particularly concerning Article 14.