African Universities Hub for Human Rights and UNESCO Chair 2026 Symposium Strengthening universities’ role in the protection of HRDs

On 25-26 February 2026, the African Universities Hub for Human Rights, UNESCO Chair for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and the Expansion of Political Space, and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Chair on Citizenship and Democracy, will host a symposium for universities and civil society organisations. The symposium will examine pressing challenges, emerging research, and innovative practices related to the role universities play in the protection of democratic values and human rights. Bringing together approximately 60 participants from universities and civil society organisations working in this space, the symposium will provide an opportunity to reflect critically on current challenges, share new insights and research, and explore ways to strengthen approaches to contribute to the expansion of civic space and supporting human rights defenders (HRDs).

The symposium occurs amid rising threats to HRDs and shrinking civic space, providing a crucial platform for African, and other global South actors to share experiences, build networks, and develop joint strategies for human rights protection. Protection systems in many countries have weakened over time due to under-resourcing and a lack of continuous learning and adaptation. Universities and civil society can collaborate on academic research, documentation and reporting, and offering protection resources.

The symposium will:

1. Reflect on threats to civic space, human rights and democracy in Africa (and the rest of global South).
2. Deepen understanding of the role of universities in democratic and human rights protection.
3. Introduce the Guidelines for Universities Hosting Human Rights Defenders.
4. Reflect on approaches to strengthen collaboration, knowledge exchange and building of a strong multi-stakeholder ecosystem for protecting democracy and human rights.