International Conference "Human Rights Monitoring Reloaded: Inclusiveness, Effectiveness, and Transformative Potential for the International Machinery", University of Padova, 19-20 October 2026

This international research conference aims to take stock of the international human rights machinery's evolution and impact, as well as to discuss its possible transformations ahead. It will examine the effectiveness of existing monitoring mechanisms that have a bearing on human rights protection, including treaty bodies, the Human Rights Council's mechanisms, and the International Criminal Court. The Conference will explore how current human rights machinery contributions can be further empowered, while being rationalised, to face the shrinking moral and practical investments of many states. 

The conference will not be merely retrospection or commemoration of historical milestones, but a strategic dialogue among scholars, independent experts, international officers, civil society representatives and students on reloading international human rights monitoring for contemporary challenges and future aspirations. 

The Conference is organised by the Human Rights Centre “Antonio Papisca” and the UNESCO Chair “Human Rights, Democracy and Peace” with the support of the Department of Political Science, Law and International Studies of the University of Padova.

Event partners include: the School of Global Studies at the University of Goteborg, the Human Rights Consortium, School of Advanced Studies, University of London, the UNESCO Chair in Human Rights and Human Security at the University of Graz, the Institute of International Studies at the University of Wroclaw, the Centre for Applied Human Rights, University of York, the Global Campus of Human Rights, the Law and Development Research Group, University of Antwerp.