#RebuildingTrust
In an uncertain world, institutions should put people first. Open and inclusive policymaking builds trust, ensures equal opportunities and a shared sense of belonging.
Contact with public institutions is part of our everyday life. While trust in the EU and national governments has increased since 2015, threats to the rule of law and democratic processes are undermining this trust. In addition, some vulnerable groups have trouble seeking justice as their rights to be treated fairly are violated. To recapture lost trust requires more transparent and accountable decision-making. The bodies entrusted with promoting and protecting rights also need the resources and powers to safeguards rights. So how can we remove the practical and financial obstacles that make rights inaccessible? How can we regain the trust of those who feel marginalised or disenfranchised with society today?
This track will explore trust from various angles. Over three days a FRA Working Group will critically review what erodes and what drives trust. In addition, dedicated open sessions will examine specific issues. Special attention will be paid to ensuring the judiciary is independent and accountable while maintaining high standards of integrity and impartiality. Democratic schooling where pupils are free to speak and safe to learn and tapping youth organisations can also help to rebuild trust. EU funding and alliance building can also help advance rights.
News:
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Calls to action to help make human rights a reality for all 24 October 2018 -
Back to school for free speech and tolerance 27 September 2018 -
One bill of rights for every Member State – let’s make it count! 23 September 2018 -
Building on 2016 – where are we now ? 22 September 2018 -
Working together for human rights 16 September 2018 -
Justice (or a travesty thereof)? 30 August 2018 -
Belonging to the EU: How hard can it be? 29 August 2018 -
The three secrets to building trust 28 August 2018 -
There we went… Forum 2018 here we come! 15 May 2018
#SharedNeighbourhoods
Participation is the glue that holds a community together. People must be involved in decisions that affect their lives. Participation builds stronger, better neighbourhoods and cities.
We most often experience human rights close to home in our immediate locality, city or neighbourhood. It is where we hope and expect to be treated with respect and equality. This helps create social cohesion. To create such cohesion requires commitment, engagement and active participation. So how can we motivate people to get involved in decisions that affect them? How can we enable people to feel responsible for building a better society for future generations?
This track will explore how to build stronger and more inclusive neighbourhoods. Over three days a FRA Working Group will showcase how local action can be a driver of human rights and belonging. In addition, dedicated open sessions will examine specific issues. This includes getting Europe’s citizens on board to build inclusive communities. Engaging youth movements politically is crucial. So is, capitalising on the work of human rights cities, whose network will meet at the Forum.
News:
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Local needs, local solutions: A tale of human rights cities 15 November 2018 -
Social inclusion: where there’s a will there’s a way 25 September 2018 -
I have a dream … to be a helpful, active part of society 21 September 2018 -
Make human rights great again 15 September 2018 -
Where, after all, do universal rights begin? 07 September 2018 -
Are you a good neighbour? 31 August 2018
#RightsCulture
Shared passions unite communities. Sport and the arts can break down barriers between cultures, faiths and nations to create a real sense of belonging.
Arts and sports can inspire and unite people. They can help promote human rights and the values of tolerance to mass audiences, breaking down ingrained prejudices. At the grassroots level, they can also be enablers for integration and tolerance, as players and artists from different background intermingle and share common passions. So, how can human rights world tap the potential of sports and the arts to promote shared values? How can sports and the arts be effective ambassadors for human rights?
This track will explore the power of sports and the arts to promote common values and human rights. Over three days a FRA Working Group will showcase positive practices, strategies and tools to raise rights awareness. In addition, dedicated open sessions will examine specific issues. This includes how sports can lead to the social inclusion of migrants, people with disabilities and others. Sports can also empower different people in their local environment. Similarly, arts through images and music can promote human rights. As a practical demonstration, an Ideathon will engage creatives at the Forum to help support rights.
News:
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Tackling prejudice through sport 25 September 2018 -
Having faith in migrant integration 20 September 2018 -
Getting the environment right – Our future depends on it 12 September 2018 -
Let’s not exploit labour but make it work 05 September 2018 -
Your tears are not enough to defend human rights 03 September 2018 -
Introducing the Fundamental Rights Forum 2018 20 August 2018 -
Where is our human right to sport? 01 June 2018
#MyRightsAreYourRights
Everyone is unique. Human rights and responsibilities are for all. By celebrating diversity and respecting the rights of others, we build a sense of belonging.
Human rights apply to everyone, no matter who you are and where you come from. The EU’s shared values and motto, ‘United in Diversity’, acknowledges and respects this and the many differences that make up society today. With more and more people on the move within, and from beyond, Europe, tensions about identity arise. So how can we instil a common sense of shared understanding and tolerance? How can we build more inclusive and more cohesive societies?
This track will explore respect and tolerance for diverse people that live in Europe today. Over three days a FRA Working Group will focus on role of education and employment in fostering inclusion. In addition, dedicated open sessions will examine specific issues. For example, different groups, such as national minorities, people of African descent, women, the young, the old, all face challenges which need tackling.
News:
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From #MeToo to #EUToo to help end violence against women 26 September 2018 -
The poor choice facing Europe’s children 10 September 2018 -
Black lives matter to Europe too 06 September 2018 -
500 million reasons why diversity is the business 24 August 2018 -
Ageism: the last acceptable form of discrimination 27 July 2018
#RightsTech
Technology changes the way we live, work and interact. Companies, NGOs and governments have a duty to ensure they protect human rights in a digital age.
The use of big data by social media companies and political campaigners followed in the wake of revelations of mass surveillance by the intelligence community. Both underlined how technology can have a huge impact on our human rights. This fast-moving area offers opportunities but also poses challenges, as problems ranging from cyberbullying to discrimination from automated decision-making come to the fore. So can traditional approaches cope? And what can we do to protect the human rights of users from the march of technology?
This track will explore how to protect rights in the digital age ranging from the growing use of biometrics and artificial intelligence to tackling the explosion of disinformation and hate speech across social media. Given all these changes, keeping children safe online remains critical. Digitalisation is also having a broader impact on the rule of law and democracy which needs to be addressed.
News:
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Clarifying digital rights vs wrongs 05 November 2018 -
Being smart about artificial intelligence 26 September 2018 -
Growing pains: How big is your digital footprint? 24 September 2018 -
Getting to grips with human rights’ new digital reality 19 September 2018 -
When human error makes smart borders dumb 14 September 2018 -
Are you ready for the digital rights revolution? 22 August 2018
#HumanRightsMatter
Fake news, filters and algorithms mean people see only what they want to see. Communicating real human rights stories in new ways can burst the bubble.
Many people across Europe have ‘switched off’ from human rights. And then, there are those significant few who feel active cynicism, distrust and hostility. As human rights are increasingly threatened, communicating human rights better to the general public has become even more mission critical. Part of this involves underlining how human rights apply to all, and apply to mainstream concerns. These include tackling poverty and building a fair working future for everyone. It also involves promoting the values that underpin human rights, as much as the rights themselves. So how can we make human rights stories more powerful? How can we bring new voices into the world of human rights, and truly listen to those who are critical or indifferent? And how can we educate for human rights?
This track will explore different ways to drive home the importance of human rights to each and every one of us. Over three days a FRA Working Group will focus on how education and employment can underpin this message and foster inclusion. A checklist for effective communication can help guide us. At the same time, there is no need to counter hate speech as this undermines respect, tolerance and ultimately human rights. Refugees, who have often borne the brunt of the increasingly intolerant societies, should be involved in the policies that affect them.
News:
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Here’s an idea…: Communicating human rights creatively! 18 October 2018 -
Coalition of hope commits to human rights for all 27 September 2018 -
10 things you need for effective human rights communication 26 September 2018 -
Seven days and counting: make the Forum yours! 18 September 2018 -
Introducing your creators with purpose #Ideathon2018 17 September 2018 -
Two weeks to go…the countdown begins 11 September 2018 -
How to make policy makers answer to you 04 September 2018 -
One month to go: There’s still time to have your say 25 August 2018 -
Do we really need another human rights forum? 23 August 2018 -
Real people, real stories at the Living Library 29 June 2018
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