Africa Hub Symposium Report 2026

The 2026 symposium examined threats to civic space, human rights and democracy. It also focused on developing a shared understanding of the role of universities in defending democracy and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in the current global context while advancing ideas for building a cohesive protection ecosystem. It was the second strong multi-stakeholder symposium since the 2023 symposium hosted at UWC, which culminated in the launch of the African Universities Hub for Human Rights. Building on that foundation, the organisers used the symposium to advance a more coordinated institutional and collaborative agenda.

The symposium was convened by the Africa Hub at UWC, in partnership with the UNESCO Chair on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders at the University of York and the UWC Chair on Citizenship and Democracy, and brought together 46 participants from 22 countries, including representatives from universities, civil society organisations, and donor institutions across Africa, Asia, South America and Europe. The symposium occurred amid rising threats to HRDs and shrinking civic space, at a time when protection systems in many countries have weakened over time due to under-resourcing and a lack of continuous learning and adaptation. It thus provided a crucial platform for African, and other global South actors to share experiences, build networks, and develop joint strategies for human rights protection. It also foregrounded universities and civil society as potentially complementary actors in research, documentation, advocacy, and protection.

Watch Strengthening Universities’ Role in the Protection of Democracy and Human Rights Symposium