Young human rights defenders conference - challenges and possibilities?
There is a limited number of seats and the conference will not be streamed or recorded, so first come first serve. If you choose to register for the conference, we ask that you note down the date and time. Out of respect for the activists and other people participating in the different sessions we also ask that you notify us at afrika@afrika.no immediately if you are unable to attend, so that we can give your seat to someone else.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/iXKvWs5kLdGVwAjP7
The conference will take place at Oslo Kongressenter, Youngs gate 21, Oslo.
Programme:08.30-09:00
Opening of the conference, key note- Marianne Borgen, major of Oslo
Video greeting from Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders
09:00-10:00
What does it mean to be a young human rights activist today?
- Boris Tadiwanashe, leader of Zimbabwe National Students Union, Zinasu.
- Daisy Abwao, member of Fight Inequality Alliance Kenya.
- Evelyn Acham, climate activist and national Ugandan coordinator of the Rise Up Movement.
- Fedness Thole, climate activist at Point of Progress in Malawi and SEED exchange participant.
- Mputa Ngalande, national coordinator of Fight Inequality Alliance Zambia.
Moderator: Rahwa Tilahun Yohaness, activist and editor of Afrika.no
10:00-11:00
African perspectives on the current debt crisis – is there an alternative model?
- Daisy Abwao
- Mputa Ngalande
- Julie Rødje, leader of SLUG
- Kjetil Abildsnes, Norwegian Church Aid
Moderator: Diego Foss, Save the Children
11:00-12:00
Student activism in authoritarian times
- Boris Tadiwanashe
- Ennie Makoni, student activist from Zimbabwe
- African Student Association UiO
Moderator: Selma Bratberg, leader of SAIH
12:00-13:00 Lunch
13:00-14:00
How young climate activists are challenging the status quo
- Evelyn Acham
- Fedness Thole
- Gina Gylver, leader of Young Friends of the Earth.
Moderator: Thea Birgitte Erfjord, Spire.
14:00-15:00
How can Norway support young human rights defenders on the African continent?
- Boris Tadiwanashe
- Evelyn Acham
- Bjørg Sandkjær, state secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Moderator: Sandra Petersen, former executive director for the Norwegian Human Rights Fund
15:00-15:30
Concluding remarks