Showcase of ideas

Plurality unites social movements and creates rooms for sharing experiences

XV Coloquio DH. Conectas. Feira de direitos humanos

by Pâmela Ellen*

On Wednesday, October 4, the 15th International Human Rights Colloquium hosted Human Rights Fair which addressed major problems that human rights activists and organisations encounter, and outlined responsibilities and values they stand for.

There are 50 diverse participating organisations in the Colloquium, out of which ten are from the host city of São Paulo, besides them there are indigenous leaders from Brazil, gender equality activists from China, India, and several African countries, activists from marginal communities in Rio de Janeiro, public health policy workers, freedom of expression groups from Venezuela, and many others.

The Executive Director of Conectas, Juana Kweitel explains that the Fair is a real moment to exchange ideas and experiences with the participants of the Colloquium. “It’s a space where everyone can communicate despite of language barriers, you can really stop and take time to talk to anyone and for however long you want, and it facilitates an opportunity to have a face-to-face conversation which makes a lot of difference,” she says.

Besides knowing counter strategies and what is new with individual movement, as well as the difficulties met by activists and organisations, it was also possible to better understand the political, economic and social context of each participating country.

The Human Rights Fair is also held at Conectas every year, on December 10, on the same date as International Human Rights Day.

About the Colloquium
Between October 2 and 6, 80 human rights activists from 31 countries are gathering in São Paulo for the 15th International Human Rights Colloquium. The objective of the event is to discuss the theme “Human rights: crisis or transition?”, share experiences and propose solutions to face setbacks at local, regional and global levels.

This year, Conectas organises the meeting with Forum Asia (Thailand), the Human Rights Centre of the University of Pretoria (South Africa) and Dejusticia (Colombia).

*Pâmela Ellen is a volunteer journalist for the coverage group of the 15th International Human Rights Colloquium. Translated by Partha Sarker, a refugee from Bangladesh.