17 July 2024
Since its launch in April 2024, our most recent Academy Briefing, The Human Rights Data Revolution, has garnered significant international recognition. It delves into the transformative potential of digital technologies in the realm of human rights monitoring and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation, and explores the development and increasing integration of digital human rights tracking tools and databases. Further to this, it examines best practices and related challenges through an in-depth study of digital solutions developed by various national and international stakeholders. It is the latest report of an ongoing Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP) initiative that seeks to enhance human rights monitoring and SDG implementation through innovative technologies.
Dr Domenico Zipoli, GHRP Project Coordinator and author of the briefing, presented the findings of this significant publication at three prestigious events:
Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform, explained, ‘The GHRP is committed to advancing the use of digital technologies in human rights monitoring and SDG implementation. The successful invitations to present at these high-profile events underscore the relevance and impact of the ‘Human Rights Data Revolution’ publication and the ongoing efforts of the GHRP to foster innovation in this critical field.’
Findings from the Human Rights Data Revolution will be presented at the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency Expert Workshop on Civic Space Monitoring and Protection, scheduled for September 2024 in Vienna. This workshop will connect key actors working on civic space monitoring and protection in Europe, including EU institutions, international organizations, civil society, national human rights institutions, academia, and donors. Participants will exchange knowledge on terminology, definitions, and monitoring methods, and discuss how to best support enhanced protection within the EU and its Member States through coherent and synergistic monitoring and protection efforts, including through innovative technologies.
‘In addition, the GHRP is planning to further advance this critical field by organizing the third expert roundtable on digital human rights tracking tools and databases by the end of 2024. Building on the pioneering discussions of the second expert roundtable, this upcoming event aims to foster deeper collaboration and innovation among developers and users of such tools, with a focus on interoperability, including through the use of A.I.and machine learning.’, added Domenico Zipoli.
Adobe
Our latest Research Brief Between Science-Fact and Science-Fiction: Innovation and Ethics in Neurotechnology highlights the need for a robust regulatory framework around neurotechnology that can simultaneously foster innovation and protect human rights.
Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the new highlight of the directory: UPR Info's Database
UN Photo / Jean-Marc Ferré
This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.
Adobe
To unpack the challenges raised by artificial intelligence, this project will target two emerging and under-researched areas: digital military technologies and neurotechnology.
Geneva Academy