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New Year, same wishes: greater respect for human rights in 2025

Stock image of a Black couple in snow, with a Christmas tree in the background.

As we begin the new year, we want to reflect on the challenges faced while looking ahead with hope and a renewed commitment to building a better future. In 2024, our association achieved a new milestone with the Human Rights Cafè project, taking the event to two new universities within the Arqus University Alliance. We tackled themes around European identity, migration, democracy, digital activism, and the future of human rights in a polarized society. In 2025, we wish to see human rights protected and respected with greater conviction; so here are some of our reflections on the outgoing year and the year ahead.


Protection for Digital Activism

In an increasingly digitized world, we wish for a safer, freer online space where activists speak out and advocate for human rights without fear of surveillance, harassment, or censorship. In this regard, we are encouraged to see the new Recommended Actions initiative for protecting human rights defenders on online platforms” released by the EU and the US. We genuinely hope that implementing these guidelines will become an effective remedy to ensure the safety of all digital activists - which implies stronger cybersecurity measures, legal mechanisms of protection, or platforms that prioritize justice over profit.


Renewed Commitment to Human Rights in Europe and Beyond

Let 2025 be a year in which nations prioritize collaboration and dialogue over division in order to protect the universal values of freedom, dignity, and equality for all. This year the EU renewed its commitment to human rights and democracy by extending its Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024, meant to guide EU policies in this field until 2027. While it represents an important step forward, the coming year calls for even more comprehensive and overarching global actions to strengthen international human rights frameworks and ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of justice.


Inclusive Governance

We wish for governance systems that reflect and serve the diversity of the people they represent. As an example, UN Women statistics highlight the urgent need for progress in gender parity in electoral and political participation. In 2024, women held just 27% of parliamentary seats, 23.3% of ministerial positions, and 35.5% of local government seats, with only 28 countries headed by women. This data demonstrates the significant work still required to achieve truly inclusive governance systems. Achieving substantive equality is only possible when participation, representation, and inclusivity are guiding principles of decision-making at all levels.


These examples are only the tip of the iceberg of human rights issues we wish to emphasize within our SET Padova community. At the core of our mission, is the promotion of human rights education as a key component of our educational systems. Understanding our fundamental rights, recognizing when they are being violated, and feeling empowered to intervene, are crucial objectives of our initiatives. What exactly can we do to stay aware of, and speak up about injustice? Firstly, we can actively participate in human rights initiatives and support organizations working on dedicated human rights issues. Secondly, it is really important to share trustworthy knowledge about human rights issues within our communities. Thirdly, by educating ourselves about human rights issues, we can effectively help others to learn more about their rights. And finally, we should support and encourage underrepresented voices, engaging in ways that are equitable and respectful of lived experiences.


This year, our SET Padova community commits to creating more opportunities and safe spaces to meet and discuss human rights issues; and develop initiatives that promote inclusion and cooperation in society.


Written by Daria Zakharova

Edited by Christine Nanteza

 

Daria Zakharova is an International Relations Master's student at the University of Milan.

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