Event information

24 May 2018, 09:30-18:30

Human Rights in a Digital Age

Event

Image of the conference Image of the conference

This conference, organized by the Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project (HRBDT) and facilitated by the Geneva Academy, aims at discussing human rights in the digital age with Geneva-based institutions and experts.

Programme

09:30 – 10:00: Registration

 

10:00 – 10:10: Welcome Remarks

  • Robert Roth, Director, Geneva Academy and Professor of International Criminal Law, University of Geneva

 

10:10 – 10:30: Briefing on the Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project

  • Lorna McGregor and Maurice Sunkin, Co-Directors, HRBDT Project

 

10:30 – 11:00: Keynote Address

  • Peggy Hicks, Director, Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Right to Development Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
  • Cath Kent (Moderation), Project Officer, HRBDT Project

 

11.00 – 11.30: Coffee Break

 

11:30 – 13:00: Advancing Human Rights in the Digital Age

Moderator:

  • Sonia Bhalotra, Work Stream Deputy – Health and Human Rights, HRBDT Project

Discussants:

  • Geoff Gilbert, Work Stream Deputy – Advancing Human Rights and Humanitarian Responses, HRBDT Project)
  • Paul Hunt, Work Stream Lead – Health and Human Rights, HRBDT Project)

Panellists:

  • Chris Earney, Head, Innovation Service, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Garrett Mehl, Scientist, Digital Innovations, World Health Organisation
  • Philippe Stoll, Head of Communication Policy and Support Unit, International Committee of the Red Cross
  • Delphine van Solinge, Protection Advisor, Digital Risks for Populations in Armed Conflict, International Committee of the Red Cross

 

13.00 – 14.00: Lunch

 

14:00 – 15:30: Risks and Challenges to Human Rights in the Digital Age

Moderator:

Vivian Ng, Senior Research Officer, HRBDT Project

Discussants:

  • Pete Fussey, Work Stream Lead – Surveillance and Human Rights, HRBDT Project
  • Daragh Murray, Work Stream Deputy – Surveillance and Human Rights, HRBDT Project

Panellists:

  • Barbora Bukovská, Senior Director, Law and Policy, Article 19
  • Tomaso Falchetta, Advocacy and Policy Team Lead, Privacy International
  • David Reichel, Research Officer, EU Fundamental Rights Agency

 

15.30 – 16.00: Coffee Break

 

16:00 – 17:30: Responding to Risks and Challenges: Human Rights Frameworks in the Digital Age

Moderator:

  • Sabrina Rau, Senior Research Officer, HRBDT Project

Discussant:

  • Sheldon Leader, Work Sub-Stream Lead – Regulation, HRBDT Project

Panellists:

  • Jean-Yves Art, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, Microsoft
  • Nighat Dad, Executive Director, Digital Rights Foundation
  • Hannah Rau, First Secretary, Human Rights/Political Affairs, Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Nations
  • Graham Webber, Interim Chief Executive, Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office

 

17:30 – 17:45: Closing Remarks

 

17:45 – 18:30: Drinks Reception and Close

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

soldiers News

New Publication Examines the Effects of Private Military and Security Companies

12 March 2025

Our latest research brief examines how Private Military and Security Companies have reshaped warfare, international law, and global stability.

Read more

News

New Working Paper Explores AI for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

30 January 2025

A new working paper, 'AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring', has been published by the Geneva Human Rights Platform.

Read more

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

Crops view from the sky Project

The Right to Food in Europe

Started in December 2022

This research will provide legal expertise to a variety of stakeholders on the implementation of the right to food, and on the right to food as a legal basis for just transformation toward sustainable food systems in Europe. It will also identify lessons learned from the 2023 recognition of the right to food in the Constitution of the Canton of Geneva.  

Read more

Online folders Project

Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

Started in March 2023

This initiative wishes to contribute to better and more coordinated implementation, reporting and follow-up of international human rights recommendations through a global study on digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more