75 Years of Human Rights

On December 4, the SAIS Dean’s Office, Governance, Politics and Society focus area, and the Foreign Policy Institute (FPI) hosted a series of conversations commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The event featured a keynote address by Dr. Navi Pillay, Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The program was as follows:

9:30 Welcome & Introduction of Dr. Navanethem Pillay

Vice Dean for Education and Academic Affairs Chiedo Nwankwor, SAIS

9:40 Keynote Address

Dr. Navanethem Pillay, Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

“How can the United Nations, its human rights mechanisms, and all of us as individuals, help advance the realization of human rights.”

Q&A moderated by Nina Gardner, Adjunct Professor, SAIS; Director, Strategy International

 10:30 Reflections on the Future: Substantive Issues

Moderator: Marcos Orellana, UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights

Workers’ Rights: Right to a Safe Work Environment, Eradication of Modern-day Slavery (including the right of just transition)

Kevin Cassidy, former Director and Representative to the Bretton Woods and Multilateral Organizations for the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office for the United States

Gender and the Illiberal Reframing of Human Rights

Susanna Mancini, Adjunct Professor, SAIS Europe; Professor of Law, University of Bologna

Human Rights and Business: Next Steps in Corporate Accountability

Nina Gardner, Adjunct Professor, SAIS; Director, Strategy International

Human Rights, Rights of Nature & Environmental Justice

Daniel Magraw, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Institute, SAIS; President Emeritus, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

Moderated Q&A

12:00 Concluding Remarks

Professor Obiora Okafor, Edward Burling Chair in International Law, SAIS DC, Former UN Independent Expert on Human Rights and International Solidarity.