Today concludes two-day dialogues at the Prestigious global Human Rights High-level Event that took place from 11 to 12 December in Geneva, at the Palais des Nations commemorating the 75^th anniversary since its declaration of Universal Human Rights attended by Heads of State, Ministers, Law Makers, and Academics. The events engagements entailed special sessions discussing a range of current and pertinent Human Rights topics such as a just environmental transition. Including human rights challenges as a result of rapid developments in Artificial intelligence, surveillance technology, and the advent of social media platforms which have become incorporated into present-day life. 

On 11^th December 2023, Prof Frans Viljoen, Director, Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, and member of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee was on the panel deliberating how to bolster the International human rights ecosystem. Together with his fellow panelists like H.E. Mr. Václav Bálek, President of the 17th cycle of the Human Rights Council, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic, Alice Mogwe, President of the International Federation for Human Rights, H.E. Mr. Federico Villegas, Permanent Representative of Argentina, President of the 16th cycle of the Human Rights Council and with others. Highlighting the challenges and opportunities experienced by the justice and human rights ecosystem in a rapidly evolving world.

Prof Ann Skelton, a faculty member of the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Law serving as the UNESCO Chair in Education Law in Africa. Who is a renowned jurist and children’s rights activist presently the chairperson of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) was a respondent in the session that debated the Future of Human Rights, the Environment, and Climate where members of the panel included President of Greece, H.E. Ms. Katerina N. Sakellaropoulou, President of Togo, H.E. Mr. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Vice President of Maldives, H.E. Mr. Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Vice-President of Zambia, H.E. Ms. W.K. Mutate Nalumango, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of the Bahamas, Senator the Hon. Mr. L. Ryan Pinder and other prominent leaders. Furthermore, the panelists and respondents unpacked tactics to advance human rights in the context of the environmental emergency to promote access to justice in environmental matters.

The Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria continues to demonstrate its academic prowess in the global arena. We are proud of the significant contribution that our academics are making to the promotion of freedom, equality, and justice for all.