Global Network on National Human Rights Action Planning (NHRAP): workshop on “Uncovering 30 Years of NHRAPing - Lessons from the Five Continents”, University of Liverpool, 4-6 June 2025

The University of Liverpool's School of Law and Social Justice will host a workshop for the first global network on National Human Rights Action Planning from June 4 to June 6, 2025. The designated theme is “Uncovering 30 Years of NHRAPing: Lessons from the Five Continents” and will be the biggest international gathering of experts on national human rights action planning.

National Human Rights Action Plans (NHRAPs) have become increasingly important since their introduction in the 1993 Vienna Declaration. In 2017, the UN General Assembly made a landmark decision by designating NHRAPs as 'key elements' of national human rights systems, strongly encouraging states to adopt these plans through participatory processes. To date, at least 155 NHRAPs have been adopted by 80 countries, with more in development. 

This newly established global network involves members from more than 35 countries across all the five continents., representing governmental and non-governmental organizations, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), and academic institutions who have been involved in any phases of NHRAPing or are in a position to consider developing such plans. The University of Padova’s Human Rights Centre “Antonio Papisca” will be represented by Professor Pietro De Perini.

Other members of this network include various international organizations and bodies dedicated to human rights and development, including UN agencies, European institutions, and international courts. 

The objective of this workshop is to create a lasting platform to share good practices, challenges and possible response strategies to enhance the effectiveness of National Human Rights Action Plans (NHRAPs) in different phases. It will serve as a starting point for ongoing collaboration in addressing the evolving challenges facing NHRAPs globally.