Cordaid, PBI, WO=MEN, and their partners from the Just Future alliance, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs will spotlight the unique challenges faced by Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) in shrinking civic spaces, including in Africa. The event will focus on how the international community, and especially diplomatic missions can better support WHRDs, who face a range of escalating threats such as physical violence, cyber harassment, and restrictive laws. Featuring WHRDs from Africa, representatives from civil society and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this hybrid event will provide a platform for dialogue and policy recommendations, emphasizing the urgent need for tailored protection and support for WHRDs.

Spreakers: Tsano (Women Human Right Defender Zimbabwe), Yeno Suzan (Cordaid advocacy officer – South Sudan (online), Sabina Atzei (Cordaid – Peace, Inclusive Governance & Participation), Marit Maij (Member of the European Parliament) and Kiza Magendane (moderator)

Language: English

With the arrival of the CSDDDD law, large European companies can no longer look the other way when it comes to human rights and environmental violations in their value chains. The European initiator of this law, Lara Wolters, explains why this law is so important. Together with CNV International, we then look at the implementation in practice: the working conditions in horticulture in Senegal. How does this law ensure robust food chains in Africa? How do we ensure that trade can contribute to development? And can this law contribute to having products on the shelves that have been made under fair working conditions?

Speakers: Lara Wolters (MEP), Elles van Ark (CNV), Anne Wehkamp (CNV)

Language: Dutch

A dialogue with Jan Pronk about his vision on international development in which he has had a diverse and elaborate carreer. What has changed en how does the field deal with current global changes? Central to the discussion are human rights and the ways in which they are violated.

Also do not miss the " Kijk niet weg" book signing at 16.30 with Jan and Ellen Mangnus.

Sprekers: Jan Pronk

Language: Dutch

How can we “get rights right” in the current polycrisis? And what rights are at stake in food systems? As complex issues such as climate change, state instability or pollution intersect, food-related inequalities are exacerbated and existing vulnerabilities reinforced. Yet, just, inclusive and sustainable food systems are essential to achieving the SDG’s. Addressing food insecurity and food sovereignty requires systemic change to the production, value chain and consumption of food, in which it is pivotal to strengthen the agency of excluded groups. With this session, we will showcase initiatives that address these challenges and illustrate pathways to the food systems of the future.

Speakers: Professor Rama Dieng, Dr. Roland Azibo Balgah (Cameroon and Living Lab manager for the INCiTiS-Food project), Semia Gharbi (Association of Environmental Education for Future Generations, Tunisia)

Language: English

In this workshop, the Expertise centre Humanitarian Communication (HuCom) will explain why and how they are committed to ethical, inclusive and equal communication about international cooperation and humanitarian aid. One way they will do so is by announcing the winners of the HuCom Awards - the annual awards for the most and least successful campaign by a Dutch INGO. Which campaigns are ethically acceptable and which are not? And why is it important to (continue to) critically examine the image of Africa and other continents in relation to international cooperation and humanitarian aid? HuCom sees representation as an integral part of the “production” of the global South and sees communication about so-called “developing countries” by governments, corporations, INGOs and the media in the global North as part of (the failure of) the practice of international society and humanitarian aid. In short, HuCom sees communication not as a means to an end, but as an important, if not the most important, part of the goal: a just society.

Sprekers: Dr. Wouter Oomen (UU) en Dr. Emiel Martens (UvA; EUR)

Taal: Engels