As co-organizer and key stakeholder of the Geneva Human Rights Dialogues, the Swiss Commission for UNESCO (SCU) is pleased to present the summary report and video of the second Dialogue, which was dedicated to the Right to Science.

This thematic dialogue was held on 25 and 26 April 2022 and brought together UN officials, UN Special Rapporteurs, NGOs and academics. It is part of a dialogue series that the SCU launched in 2021 in collaboration with the OHCHR, UNESCO, the University of Geneva and the REGARD network to strengthen approaches and foster partnerships for the respect and implementation of human rights related to education, science, culture, communication and information.

The Right to Science, access to scientific knowledge and its benefits, scientific freedom and the safety of scientific researchers are increasingly receiving more and more attention. The open-ended discussions, based in part on a background paper developed specifically for the workshop, were incredibly rich and constructive and underlined the value of a cross-sectoral thrust at UNESCO.

The Dialogue was structured around three segments: current trends and challenges for the Right to Science, existing human rights mechanisms, and lessons learned from partnership approaches. The synthesis report includes 16 key messages and key actions that were identified during the discussions.

To access the summary report, please click here, and watch the video here.

Der von der Schweizerischen UNESCO-Kommission (CSU) und ihren Partnern gemeinsam organisierte zweite Genfer Menschenrechtsdialog hatte das Recht auf Wissenschaft zum Thema und fand am 25. und 26. April erfolgreich statt.

Obwohl es lange Zeit unbemerkt geblieben ist, wird immer deutlicher, dass die Achtung des Rechts auf Wissenschaft ein wesentlicher Bestandteil eines wirksamen menschenrechtsbasierten Ansatzes ist.

Als Vertreter einer Bandbreite von Interessengruppen, wie Vertreter der Vereinten Nationen, NGOs, Sonderberichterstatter, Diplomaten, Akademiker und des Privatsektors, nahmen insgesamt 64 Teilnehmer persönlich und/oder virtuell an dem Dialog teil.

Die Diskussionen, die teilweise auf einem Hintergrundpapier basierten, das eigens für den Workshop erstellt wurde, waren sehr reichhaltig und konstruktiv. Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse werden in naher Zukunft in einem zusammenfassenden Dokument veröffentlicht.

Der Präsident der CSU, Dr. Thomas Zeltner, hielt Eröffnungsreden (bitte sehen Sie sich seine Rede hier an).

As co-organizer and stakeholder of the Geneva Human Rights Dialogues, the Swiss Commission for UNESCO (SCU) is pleased to present the summary report and video of the first Dialogue, dedicated to Freedom of Expression.

This Dialogue was held on 17 September 2021 and brought together UN representatives, NGOs, special rapporteurs, diplomats and academics. It is part of an initiative that the SCU launched in 2021 in collaboration with the OHCHR, UNESCO, the University of Geneva and the REGARD network to strengthen approaches and foster partnerships for the respect and implementation of human rights related to education, science, culture, communication and information – an initiative that also aims to intensify learning within UNESCO and its networks on human rights issues in their work.

The discussion was structured around three segments: emerging issues and current challenges, existing human rights mechanisms and lessons learned from established partnerships. The synthesis report includes 12 key messages and actions that were identified during this Dialogue.

To access the summary report, please click here, and watch the video here.