About

The global landscape at the beginning of 2025 presents unprecedented challenges. Rapid changes in the international geopolitical arena, the rise of authoritarian regimes, the exploitation of vulnerable people point to serious challenges to the realisation of human rights and the struggle for justice and equality. On top of this, technological developments such as artificial intelligence open the possibility for new opportunities, while at the same time raising new ethical concerns.

The Human Rights Festival at the University of Greenwich aims to tackle these pressing issues through a series of engaging events, gathered under the theme: 'The Challenges to Human Rights: Roadblocks to Humanity. Bringing together academics, leading practitioners, activists and students, the festival explores acts of resistance against oppression, sheds light on the grim realities of human trafficking and modern slavery and discusses the ethical implications of AI in warfare. It also aims to amplify the voices of LGBT migrants and refugees, sharing their stories of resilience and advocacy. Through panel discussions, workshops, and storytelling sessions, we aim to educate, inspire, and mobilize individuals to stand up for human rights.