HUMAN RIGHTS & HUMANITARIAN FORUM AT UCLA

Attendance at the conference is complimentary, but ticket availability is restricted due to limited capacity. We strongly advise pre-registering at your earliest convenience (by following the “reserve a spot” link) to secure your attendance. Shortly after your pre-registration, we will be in touch with further details.

In the past few decades, humanity has made great strides towards achieving universal prosperity, well-being, and peace. This became possible thanks to scientific and technological advancement, human-centered policies, benevolent philanthropy, but most importantly – hard work of dedicated human rights and humanitarian activists driven by the sense of shared humanity and compelled to help those in distress. Thanks to their individual and collective efforts, significant advancements have been achieved: now, 92% of the world's population resides in high- and middle-income countries; over 80% of newborns receive vaccinations; and there's been a 75% reduction in fatalities from natural disasters compared to a century ago.

These activists have been fighting slavery, addressing the needs of the unhoused, promoting freedom of speech, building schools, lobbying environmental policies, treating prisoners of war, the list goes on. Although striving for the same goal, they have been working in two different realms. Some of them have been using their voice to push for systemic change to laws and policies and enforcement that would recognize and protect the rights of marginalized communities. Others have been mobilizing resources to provide lifesaving assistance in times of human-made crises or natural disasters. Together they have formed movements and organizations that have helped lay the foundation of the modern human rights and humanitarian systems which ensure steady progress towards making the world a better place.

Today, it is becoming increasingly evident that the world is changing and so are the challenges facing us. Climate change, global health emergencies, democracy decline, cyber threats, unprecedented levels of forced displacement, humanitarian aid cuts, persistent inequalities, and other alarming global trends, which have the potential to reverse humanity’s hard-won achievements and undermine crucially important commitments as the world is not on track to fulfill the Paris Climate Accords or achieve any of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

It is time for each one of us and the international community to come to terms with the fact that doing things as usual is not an option and may lead to devastating consequences. We need to reaffirm our joint commitment to building a better world, adapt to new global dynamics and act swiftly, together, for advancement of human rights and dignity.

In light of the above, on May 9, 2024, UCLA Law’s Promise Institute for Human Rights (PIHR) and the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative (AHI) will jointly host a full-day Human Rights & Humanitarian Forum to bring attention to some of these alarming global trends and to promote promising solutions. The Forum will be held at UCLA Luskin Conference Center and will feature a series of talks and discussions by global thought leaders and local changemakers from UCLA, The Promise Institute and Aurora networks.

The Forum will address major topics of pressing concern from human rights and forced displacement to democracy decline, pandemic preparedness, climate change, artificial intelligence, and gender equality. Discussions will focus on root causes, historic perspective, recent trends, current situations, exacerbating factors, interrelations between social issues, status quo projections, best practices, key challenges, innovative solutions, accountability, and personal experiences. Sessions will be organized in different formats – from short and inspiring talks to extended, thought-provoking and solution-oriented panel discussions.

Within each topic, AHI speakers will communicate humanitarian perspectives and share local expertise while the Promise speakers will focus on addressing current challenges through a human rights lens – topics will include global governance and justice, international and domestic laws and policies, advocacy, accountability, and promotion and protection of human rights. Based on the discussions held, a joint appeal outlining major concerns and a call-to-action will be developed and published online for the wider public to join.

Each Forum talk will also highlight at least one of the three cornerstone Aurora themes: courage, commitment, and impact.

· Courage: Speakers will share their personal experiences, shedding light on the challenges faced on the ground and how they navigate through adversity to bring about positive change.

· Commitment: The unwavering commitment of humanitarian frontliners is integral to the success of their missions. Speakers will discuss the motivation behind their work, the sacrifices made, and the long-term dedication required to address humanitarian crises and human rights issues effectively.

· Impact: The Forum will highlight successful projects, case studies, and the importance of measuring and maximizing the impact of humanitarian efforts.

Speakers & Venues:

· 60+ speakers from UCLA and The Promise Institute for Human Rights, the Promise Network, Aurora Humanitarian Initiaitve Leadership, Aurora Prize Selection Committee Members, Aurora Prize Laureates, and members of Aurora Humanitarian Community

· 10 pressing human rights & humanitarian topics will be discussed at 5 venues at Luskin Conference Center