Human Rights Conference: “The Future of Human Rights, From Local to Global”

Are you working in human rights, governance, or civil society and looking for a fully funded opportunity to connect with experts across Asia and Europe? The 24th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights (ASEMHRS24) is now accepting applications, offering selected participants a fully sponsored trip to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia this October.

Titled “The Future of Human Rights – From Local to Global,” this seminar brings together government officials, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), civil society leaders, academics, and international organisations to discuss the pressing challenges facing global human rights protection today.

• Project Period: July – December 2026
• Dates: 12–14 October 2026
• Venue: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
• Hosted by: National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia

About the Seminar:

The human rights landscape across Asia and Europe is being reshaped by rapid technological change, shifting geopolitics, climate pressures, and evolving governance. While international human rights norms remain universal in principle, their enforcement is increasingly uneven due to selective state compliance, resource constraints, and challenges in the multilateral system.

The 24th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights will bring together around 80–100 participants from government, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), civil society, academia, and international organisations. The goal is to translate discussions into concrete, actionable recommendations at domestic, regional, and global levels.

Discussions will focus on three interconnected levels of human rights protection:

• Global
• Regional
• Domestic

Participants will work in dedicated Working Groups on each level, with findings shared in plenary sessions.

This seminar continues nearly three decades of open, inclusive, and non-confrontational dialogue under the ASEM Human Rights Seminar series.

Reference: ASEMHRS24 Concept Note

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Capacity-Building Programme:

Dates: 15–16 October 2026 (Ulaanbaatar) A follow-up practical training programme will be offered to selected Seminar participants to strengthen skills and support follow-up actions.

You can express interest in this programme directly on the application form.

Target Audience:

This prestigious invitation-only seminar is designed for a wide range of influential stakeholders from both Asia and Europe who are actively engaged in the field of human rights. It brings together professionals and organisations that play a key role in shaping policies, protecting rights, and driving meaningful change on the ground.

The seminar particularly welcomes applications from the following groups:

• Government representatives, especially those involved in human rights policy development, implementation, and monitoring at national or regional levels.
• National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and ombuds institutions that work directly on the protection and promotion of human rights within their countries.
• Civil society organisations and experienced human rights practitioners, including youth-led organisations working on advocacy, awareness-raising, and community-level initiatives.
• Academics, researchers, and legal experts who contribute through teaching, scholarly research, policy analysis, or legal interpretation of human rights issues.
• Representatives from international and regional organisations that are actively involved in human rights promotion, capacity building, and multilateral cooperation across Asia and Europe.

Whether you are shaping government policies, conducting impactful research, leading advocacy efforts, or working at the grassroots level, this seminar offers a unique platform to exchange ideas, build cross-regional networks, and contribute to practical solutions that strengthen human rights protection from the local to the global level.

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Participation, Eligibility & Format:

• Civil society participants (human rights experts from CSOs, NGOs, universities, research institutes, and think tanks) are selected through this Call for Applications or direct invitation.
• Government representatives are nominated by ASEM partner countries.
• Representatives from NHRIs, international/regional organisations, and the private sector are also welcome.
• The 3-day seminar includes plenary sessions, expert panels, and closed Working Group discussions under the Chatham House Rule.
• Participants are expected to act as multipliers by sharing outcomes within their institutions and networks.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a citizen of an ASEM Partner country
• Working proficiency in English
• Strong knowledge of or interest in human rights
• Willingness to actively contribute to discussions

Travel & Accommodation:

The co-organisers will cover for all selected participants:

• Accommodation for the Seminar (and Training Programme if selected)
• Meals as per the programme

For civil society representatives only:

• Economy class airfare (point-to-point) to and from Ulaanbaatar, reimbursed up to a maximum ceiling.

Expected Outcomes:

Participants of the 24th Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights can expect to gain significant value from this high-level dialogue. The seminar is structured to deliver meaningful and lasting results that go far beyond the three days in Ulaanbaatar.

The key expected outcomes include:

• Deeper awareness and shared understanding of the current challenges and emerging opportunities in human rights protection. Participants will explore issues across local, regional, and global levels, gaining fresh insights into how rapid technological advancements, geopolitical shifts, climate change, and evolving governance structures are impacting human rights in Asia and Europe.
• Clear identification of gaps in existing legislation, policies, and practices, along with the development of practical, forward-looking recommendations. These recommendations will be tailored for governments, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), civil society organisations, academia, and international bodies, providing actionable steps to strengthen human rights implementation on the ground.
• Stronger networks and enhanced collaboration among participants from across Asia and Europe. By bringing together diverse stakeholders in an open and constructive environment, the seminar fosters new partnerships, knowledge-sharing opportunities, and joint initiatives that can continue well after the event ends.

Overall, the seminar aims to empower participants to become effective multipliers of change, equipping them with new ideas, valuable connections, and concrete recommendations they can implement within their own institutions and communities.

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How to Apply:

Complete the online application form (Check the link Below) by: Monday, 31 August 2026 (23:59 Singapore time)

Note: Details about the Capacity-Building Programme (15–16 October) will be shared after the application deadline and initial screening.

About the Organisers:

The Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights series was launched in 1997. It is organised by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), which has served as Secretariat since 2000.

Co-funders include:

• Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs
• Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

The Steering Committee includes ASEF, supporting partners, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, the European Union, and the Raoul Wallenberg Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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