10th annual Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI) conference,

The Human Rights Law Centre will host the 10th annual Association of Human Rights Institutes (AHRI) conference, Human Rights Partnerships for Reform between 18th - 19th September, part of the COST Action IS0702 The Role of the EU in UN Human Rights Reform.

Speakers will include:

Mary Robinson, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (1997 - 2002) and President of the Republic of Ireland (1990 -1997).

Thomas Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe.

Irene Khan, Secretary General, Amnesty International.

Trevor Phillips, Chair, Equality and Human Rights Commission.

Marcia Kran, Director of the Research and Right to Development Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (representing the High Commissioner).

Ambassador Jan Nordlander, Swedish Presidency of the European Union.

Ambassador Rudolf Knoblauch, Special Envoy for Human Rights Issues of the Swiss Government.

Professor Wouter Vandenhole, University of Antwerp and Chair in Human Rights - UNICEF Chair in Children's Rights.

Professor Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.

Professor Michael O'Flaherty, UN Human Rights Committee.

Professor Wolfgang Benedek, Director of the European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, University of Graz.

Dr George Ulrich, Former Secretary General, European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation.

Working Groups
Participants will be invited to join one of three interdisciplinary working groups on day 2 of the conference. Chaired by leading experts in each of the themes, the Working Groups will meet throughout the four years of the COST Action. Participants who are not already COST members are encouraged to join to facilitate their participation in ongoing Working Group meetings.

1. Reform of UN Human Rights Mechanisms

2. Strengthening Systems for Human Rights Based Development

3. New Perspectives on Human Rights Partnerships

1. Reform of UN Human Rights Mechanisms
Chair: Professor Manfred Nowak, University of Vienna and UN Special Rapporteur on Torture

2. Strengthening Systems for Human Rights Based Development
Chair: Professor Wouter Vandenhole, University of Antwerp and UNICEF Chair in Children's Rights

3. New Perspectives on Human Rights Partnerships
Chair: Professor Wolfgang Benedek, Director of the European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (ETC), University of Graz