Human Rights Forum | October 28-29, 2019
The new Human Rights Forum at Augsburg University brings students, global changemakers, and local activists together to explore innovative ways to take constructive action in our ongoing pursuit of human rights, both globally and domestically. The event seeks to educate, inspire, and empower young leaders by weaving together multiple themes and perspectives that are reflective of our team of partner institutions and community. The Forum draws on, and seeks to strengthen, the rich history and innovative educational work being done in the Upper Midwest as a center of progressive internationalism and the promotion of human rights.
The event spans two days, the first of which explores global issues and perspectives and is hosted by and developed in partnership with the Human Rights Foundation (HRF). HRF produces the Oslo Freedom Forum,which brings together human rights speakers and activists from all over the world, and has an impressive roster of speakers that focus on human rights abuses within authoritarian regimes. We look forward to bringing these new voices to the Twin Cities.
Separately, the programming on our second day will feature speakers and sessions exploring human rights issues such as racial justice, indigenous rights and environmental sustainability, with programming developed in partnership with Augsburg’s academic departments and centers, partner institutions, and sponsors.
Our programming is informed by the principles of nonviolence, dialogue, civic agency, and creative action. Nonviolence constitutes an active form of politics in opposition to the dynamics of injustice and violence. Dialogue provides the foundation for communication across lines of difference, an increasingly difficult task in the current polarized political landscape. Drawing on our thirty-year history of work with the Nobel Peace Prize Forum, and in keeping with the general mandate of higher education to foster healthy and vigorous debate and discussion, we see respectful dialogue across lines of difference as means for making meaningful and lasting social change.
To learn how your organization can get involved in the 2019 Human Rights Forum, contact Lee George at lgeorge@Augsburg.edu or 612-330-1629 or Bettine Hoff Hermanson at hermansb@augsburg.edu or 612-330-1378.