What if the world’s oldest knowledge could help shape the future of healthcare? Across generations, Indigenous communities have preserved traditions that protect lives, strengthen families, and nurture the well-being of entire communities. This year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, celebrated every 9th of August, pays tribute to indigenous midwives with the theme: “Honoring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being.” It is a call for greater appreciation of their role and efforts to integrate indigenous knowledge into health systems while respecting the rights and traditions of Indigenous Peoples.  For generations, Indigenous...

The 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council took place from 15 June to 8 July 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. This session addressed not only a number of pressing issues that affect specific vulnerable groups — including women and girls — but also global challenges such as climate change.   At this session, IIMA and VIDES delivered several statements:  During the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to education, ,we commented on the latest report of Ms. Farida Shaheed, stressing the need to...

The 2026 World Day Against Child Labour, celebrated every June 12, comes at a crucial moment in the global effort to end child exploitation. The Marrakech Global Framework for Action against Child Labour addresses the root causes of child labour and protects every child’s rights. “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults”, the theme of this year’s World Day Against Child Labour, placed emphasis on policies that prevent child labour and support the withdrawal and rehabilitation of affected children through quality education, universal social protection,...

The IV World Meeting of the ISS-FMA, promoted within the Programming of the General Council of the daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters) for the six-year period 2022–2027, took place in Manila (Philippines) from March 9 to 13, 2026. The meeting gathered participants from different regions of the world, with 68 attending in person - from the Philippines, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic - and 14 joining online from Brazil, Italy, and Spain. Among the participants were Sr. Sarah Garcia, Director...

The 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council took place from 23 February to 31 March 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The agenda featured a wide range of discussions focused on key human rights issues. IIMA and VIDES delivered two oral statements on item 3. In particular, during the Interactive Dialogue (ID) with the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children (text and video), we welcomed the report’s analysis of progress achieved, emerging challenges, and future priorities to better protect children....

Between January and March 2026, in partnership with the Salesian Sisters of Ireland, IIMA Human Rights Office organised and delivered a three-module training programme dedicated to local project teams. Following a preliminary introductory meeting held in December 2025, the training initiative brought together civil society actors involved in nine local projects implemented by the Salesian Sisters across five countries - India, South Sudan, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Lesotho. In order to provide an interactive space for the many participants, each module was conducted twice and offered in both English and French...

In response to the call for inputs launched by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for the preparation of a study on the impact of mental health challenges on the enjoyment of human rights by young people, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 57/30, IIMA and VIDES contributed with two complementary submissions. One contribution was prepared by the IIMA-VIDES Human Rights Office based on the results of a global online survey conducted within its youth network: a survey that gathered 1,778 responses from participants across...

In preparation for her thematic report to the United Nations Human Rights Council at its 62nd session in June 2026, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Farida Shaheed, launched a global call for inputs on curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. The call invited contributions from States, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, national human rights institutions, academics, educators, business actors, as well as civil society organizations, with the aim of gathering diverse perspectives on how education systems can better support the realization of the right to education. The...

We can’t lose sight of the fact that dignity and human rights are non-negotiable for they are “our everyday essentials”. In a time of uncertainty and insecurity, Human Rights Day, celebrated every 10 December, reaffirms the importance of reconnecting with human rights. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, underscores that “we must reconnect with human rights, remembering that they are about people – about their needs, wants and fears, as well as their hopes and aspirations”. The theme of the UN Human Rights Day 2025, Human Rights: our Everyday...

The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/134, on 7 February 2000, officially designating November 25  as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities to raise awareness about this critical issue. Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread and pervasive human rights violations in the world as almost one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, a non-partner, or both, at least once in her lifetime (Source: UN). On 25...