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27/9/2021

European Union: The program for the Fundamental Rights Forum is available online, and registration is now open!

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) will organize a major human rights event that will be held in Vienna City Hall and online from the 11th to the 12th of October 2021. It will feature people from all walks of life, including thought leaders, policymakers, artists, and many others. Its findings will inform major EU and global human rights debates that will shape our future.

The Forum of 2021 will be a hybrid one, combining the best of in-person and online events. It will be streamed live from Vienna City Hall as well as five other European hubs in Strasbourg, Geneva, Warsaw, Ljubljana, and Oslo.

The Forum will be initiated with the Human Rights Band, followed by sessions including leading human rights defenders: the High Patron of the Forum, Austria’s President Alexander Van der Bellen; António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General and Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Didier Reynders, the European Commissioner for Justice – to name just a few. Renowned Mayors of Human Rights Cities across the EU will join the Forum as well. On Day 2, they will launch the Human Rights Cities Framework of commitments.

Over 140 diverse debates on the six main themes could be followed during the forum. These themes are articulated as follows:

  • A human rights-oriented digital age;
  • Fighting hatred and discrimination;
  • People on the move;
  • Social rights are human rights;
  • Strengthening human rights practice; and
  • Defending the rule of law and securing access to justice.

The event will also host multiple live art performances, highlighting the unique connection between art and human rights.

For more information about the programme and registration, please visit the Fundamental Rights Forum website.