To mark Human Rights Day 2024, the Union Association for Human Rights organized an international virtual symposium titled: “Human Rights Now… and in the Future”. The event was attended by a wide range of international experts from the United Nations, representatives of international organizations and civil society initiatives, as well as leaders of human rights organizations from Europe and the Middle East. The aim was to explore the prospects for developing the human rights system in light of current challenges and future transformations.

Date and Venue:

• Venue: Online Virtual Symposium.
• Date: On the occasion of Human Rights Day, December 2024.

Main Speakers:

• Dr. Fatima Khalifa Al-Kaabi, President of the Union Association for Human Rights, and Vice Chair of the National Human Rights Institution, UAE.
• Dr. Willy Fautré, Founder and Director of Human Rights Without Frontiers, Belgium.
• Thierry Valle, President of CAP Liberty of Conscience.
• Aye Kari Soe, President of the WBS Academy, activist supporting Burmese students and youth rights in Europe.
• Dr. Astrid Stuckelberger, Expert for the UN, WHO, World Bank, and European Commission, Switzerland.
• Counselor Maryam Al-Ahmadi, Vice President of the Union Association for Human Rights, consultant specializing in civil society organizations.
• Manel Msalmi (Moderator), Advisor to the European Parliament on Middle Eastern issues, gender equality, and counter-extremism.

Papers:

• The Role of UN Bodies and Mechanisms in Protecting and Promoting Human Rights in the Future – Speaker: Dr. Willy Fautré.
• National Efforts in Promoting Human Rights and Shaping the Future – Speaker: Dr. Fatima Al-Kaabi.
• Enhancing International Solidarity to Safeguard Human Rights in the Future – Speaker: Thierry Valle.
• The Role of Youth in Shaping the Future of Human Rights – Speaker: Aye Kari Soe.
• The Present and Future of Women’s Rights and Empowerment – Speaker: Dr. Astrid Stuckelberger.
• The Role of Civil Society Organizations in the Future of Human Rights – Speaker: Maryam Al-Ahmadi.

Significance of the Symposium:

• An international platform for exchanging perspectives among experts from diverse geographic and cultural backgrounds.
• Shedding light on key current and future human rights challenges.
• Discussing best governmental and non-governmental practices to enhance human rights globally.
• Highlighting the UAE’s efforts in enacting national legislation and pioneering human rights initiatives.

Level of Participation:

• Wide participation from international human rights experts.
• Contributions from NGOs with consultative status at the United Nations.
• Representation from expert communities, academia, and civil society.

Key Recommendations:

• Strengthening integration between national and international mechanisms for rights protection.
• Emphasizing the role of youth in building a sustainable human rights culture.
• Supporting the empowerment of women in both national and international human rights policies.
• Highlighting the need for global solidarity to address emerging challenges such as AI and climate change.
• Investing in civil society organizations as a cornerstone of sustainable human rights work.