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Human Rights Week | Amnesty International Chair | Human Rights @ De Krook | Human Rights on Screen | Rights Bites | Oprecht – The HRRN Podcast | Building Capacities | Members’ Day | Literatuur en mensenrechten | Master’s Thesis
Every year, the Human Rights Research Network (HRRN) organises Human Rights Week at Ghent University: a full week dedicated to exploring, discussing and experiencing human rights.
Taking place around Human Rights Day on 10 December, the week brings together researchers, students, practitioners, artists and the wider public to reflect on some of the most pressing human rights challenges of our time. Each edition focuses on a new central theme, creating space for interdisciplinary perspectives and dialogue across different fields and communities.
The programme offers a diverse range of activities, including lectures, panel discussions, workshops, film screenings, artistic exhibitions and other interactive events. Through these different formats, we aim to make human rights accessible, encourage critical reflection and inspire new conversations and connections.
Discover the programme of our previous edition to get an impression of the wide range of activities organised during Human Rights Week.
Established in partnership between Amnesty International and Ghent University, the Amnesty International Chair honors individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the advancement of human rights around the world.
Each year, the Chair is awarded to a prominent advocate, scholar, or public figure whose work exemplifies courage, integrity, and impact in the defense of human dignity and freedom. In recognition of their efforts, the laureate is invited to Ghent University to share their insights and experiences with both the academic community and the wider public.
Onderzoekers van het UGent Human Rights Research Network gaan in gesprek met het middenveld, kunstenaars,… en met de bezoekers van de bibliotheek.
Zowel in onze samenleving als elders staan mensenrechten blijvend onder druk. Dit bevestigt niet alleen hun belang als onderwerp van degelijk onderzoek maar het bewijst ook de noodzaak om de bevindingen uit dit onderzoek te bespreken buiten de muren van de universiteit.
Met de lezingenreeks HumanRights@DeKrook maken we van deze nood een deugd. Onderzoekers van het Human Rights Research Network van de Universiteit Gent gaan in gesprek met het middenveld, kunstenaars,… en met de bezoekers van de bibliotheek. Deze avonden bieden de gelegenheid om samen na te denken over de betekenis van mensenrechten in onze huidige samenleving.
Literatuur lezen is een unieke manier om nieuwe inzichten op te doen, de nuances van een complexe context te vatten of de drijfveren te begrijpen van mensen die sterk van ons verschillen. Literaire auteurs willen vaak niet “enkel” een artistiek hoogstaand werk afleveren dat lezers weet te boeien, maar tegelijkertijd ook informeren, sensibiliseren of zelfs een aanklacht formuleren over maatschappelijke problemen en onrecht.
Een aantal UGent-onderzoekers, verbonden aan het universiteitsbrede Human Rights Research Network, heeft een bijzondere interesse voor de manier waarop literatuur omgaat met (schendingen van) mensenrechten. Ze startten een project op waarmee ze zich richten tot begeleiders van leesgroepen in Vlaanderen en Nederland. Ze selecteerden belangwekkende literaire werken waarin mensenrechtenthema’s een prominente rol spelen, en stelden voor elk van die werken een leesgroepdossier samen dat achtergrond biedt bij de auteur, het mensenrechtenthema in kwestie en de literaire verwerking ervan. Op die manier willen ze leesgroepbegeleiders helpen om met deze werken en thema’s aan de slag te gaan.
Human Rights in Motion brings human rights to the big screen. Through a carefully selected programme of films and documentaries, we explore important human rights issues from different perspectives and use cinema as a starting point for reflection and discussion.
Each screening is followed by an opportunity to look beyond the story on screen and analyse the themes through a human rights lens. We regularly invite film directors and other experts to join the conversation, offering audiences the opportunity to learn more about the film, its creation and the human rights issues it raises.
By bringing together film, dialogue and critical reflection, Human Rights on Screen creates a space to engage with complex human rights questions in an accessible and thought-provoking way.
On December 10, 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, affirming that human rights apply to everyone, everywhere. Rights such as freedom of speech, education, and property ownership are foundational, but they are not guaranteed. Every day, these rights are violated—sometimes openly, but often hidden from view, affecting only those directly impacted.
The Human Rights Research Network (HRRN) at Ghent University aims to bring these hidden realities to light. Through this podcast, we invite listeners to explore human rights with a critical and nuanced perspective. Our episodes tackle a wide range of topics, from detention and independent living for people with disabilities to migration and climate justice.
Building Capacities is a series of seminars designed to support and strengthen the skills of researchers working on human rights-related topics.
Each session focuses on a practical theme that is relevant to different stages and aspects of human rights research. Through interactive seminars, workshops and expert-led sessions, participants have the opportunity to develop new skills, exchange experiences and gain practical tools that can be applied in their own research and professional activities.
The series also creates a space for researchers from different disciplines to come together, learn from one another and explore common challenges and opportunities in the field of human rights.
“Rights Bites” is a public lunch lecture series on ‘hot’ human rights topics. It’s designed as a “bring your own lunch” one-hour session, in which experts share their knowledge on pressing human rights issues with a non-expert audience.
The lectures aim at encouraging interest and informed conversations about human rights on campus.
The HRRN Members’ Day is an opportunity for members of the Human Rights Research Network to come together, connect and exchange ideas.
Each edition focuses on a different topic, offering members the opportunity to gain new knowledge and inspiration through a lecture, workshop or other interactive session. Alongside the thematic programme, Members’ Day provides plenty of space for networking, encouraging connections and collaboration across disciplines.
The HRRN Master’s Thesis initiative connects students’ research with real-world human rights challenges. In collaboration with the City of Ghent, HRRN supports Master’s students in exploring a human rights-related topic with practical relevance to the city and its communities.
The initiative creates a bridge between academic research and societal practice, giving students the opportunity to contribute their research and ideas to ongoing human rights work in Ghent.
