Geneva Academy
8 June 2020
The Advisory Board of the Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP) – Virginia Brás Gomez, Sarah H. Cleveland, Miloon Kothari, Florence Simbiri-Jaoko and Valentin Zellweger – met for the first time on 4 June.
Composed of leading human rights experts and practitioners from different regions and backgrounds, it provides guidance to the GHRP Executive Director regarding the GHRP’s strategy, priorities and activities.
‘Given the current situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we had this first meeting online. Besides discussing the role of the Advisory Board, we exchanged around activities, priorities and focus for the GHRP in the upcoming years’ explains Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director of the GHRP.
‘It is very important for us to get feedback and guidance regarding the relevance of our work from such experts and practitioners with extensive experience in human rights at the local, regional and international levels. I am delighted and grateful that they all accepted this role without hesitation’ he adds.
In the meeting, Advisory Board members exchanged around their role, current human rights challenges and issues, as well as the GHRP strategy and activities.
‘An important impetus from the Advisory Board was the additional perspective on the impact of the COVID crisis, which will be integrated into the upcoming annual conference of the platform, which will take place on 15 October in Geneva’ says Felix Kirchmeier.
The GHRP provides a neutral and dynamic forum of interaction in Geneva for all stakeholders in the field of human rights – experts, practitioners, diplomats and civil society – to debate topical issues and challenges related to the functioning of the Geneva-based human rights system. Relying on academic research and findings, it works to enable various actors to be better connected, break silos, and, hence, advance human rights.
As a ‘Mechanisms Lab’, the GHRP supports the international community to engineer solutions to ensure the sustainable functioning of the Geneva-based human rights mechanisms and bodies, allowing them to address human rights challenges effectively.
Adobe
The Human Rights Data Revolution details the transformation which promises to enhance the effectiveness, inclusivity, and scope of human rights monitoring and implementation worldwide.
Adobe
Our latest Research Brief Between Science-Fact and Science-Fiction: Innovation and Ethics in Neurotechnology highlights the need for a robust regulatory framework around neurotechnology that can simultaneously foster innovation and protect human rights.
Adobe
Participants in this training course, made of two modules, will examine the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights and the environment, familiarizing themselves with the respective implementation and enforcement mechanisms.
Adobe
This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.