The International Human Rights Colloquium

2010 Colloquium participants

Organized since 2001, the Colloquium is an annual conference attended by human rights defenders, academics and specialists from around the world, particularly from the Global South (Africa, Asia and Latin America). It is held over the period of a week in São Paulo (Brazil) in three languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish.

The Colloquium is intended to strengthen the individual and collective impact of human rights defenders and, at the same time, to encourage them to engage internationally in promoting these rights. During the event, activists and academics share their knowledge and experiences on human rights and on the projects developed in their countries in lectures, working groups and workshops.

The colloquium also aims to have a multiplying effect that benefits both the participants and their organizations after the conference, through networking and joint actions. Many of these actions involve using the UN and regional human rights systems, topics that are addressed at all the conferences.

From 2001 to 2010, more than 870 activists and academics from 50 countries, primarily Africa, Asia and Latin America, have participated in the 10 editions of the Colloquium. Many of them remain in contact and develop collaborative activities, with the facilitation of Conectas.