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.

Convoqué par la Commission suisse pour l’UNESCO (CSU) et ses partenaires, le deuxième Dialogue de Genève sur les droits de l’homme avait pour thème le droit à la science et s’est déroulé avec succès les 25 et 26 avril.

Bien qu’il soit longtemps passé inaperçu, il est de plus en plus évident que le respect du droit à la science est un élément essentiel d’une approche efficace fondée sur les droits de l’homme.

Représentant une grande variété de parties prenantes, telles que des représentants des Nations Unies, des ONG, des rapporteurs spéciaux, des diplomates, des académiques et du secteur privé, un total de 64 participants ont assisté à la réunion en personne et/ou virtuellement.

Les discussions, basées en partie sur un document de référence élaboré spécifiquement pour l’atelier, ont été incroyablement riches et constructives. Les principales conclusions seront publiées dans un document de résumé dans un avenir proche.

Le Président de la CSU, Dr. Thomas Zeltner, a fait des remarques d’ouverture (veuillez voir son discours ici).

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.