Between May 6 and 12, 2025, we received an incredible 513 responses to our Youth Online Survey on Democracy and Climate Change, from young people and educators in 33 countries across five continents. Notably, 52.2% of respondents were youth aged 18 to 35, ensuring that young voices are central to this important conversation. This survey was launched by IIMA and VIDES in response to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) call for inputs ahead of the Fifth UN Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of...

  In preparation of the upcoming UN Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (13-15 October 2025), IIMA and VIDES are happy to share this survey to gather youth suggestions on key priorities and challenges related to Democracy and Climate Change. Please fill out the  survey available here by Monday, 12th May 2025 - it only takes 5 minutes! Your opinion matters!    ...

The 49th UPR session was held from the 28th April till the 9th May 2025 in Palais des Nations in Geneva. The UPR is a mechanism of the Human Rights Council, which critically reviews all 193 UN member states every four years regarding their human rights situation. The State under review declares what action has been taken to improve human rights in the Country, while other attending States have the chance to bring forward specific recommendations in the spirit of constructive dialog. Each session is based on three main documents made public...

The United Nations Human Rights Council held its 58th session from 24 February to 4 April 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The session’s agenda included several high-level meetings and numerous discussions dedicated to crucial human rights issues. IIMA and VIDES delivered several oral statements on item 3. In particular, during the Interactive Dialogue (ID) with the Special Rapporteur on the Sale, Exploitation and Abuse of Children (text and video), the ID with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Children and Armed Conflict (text and video) and...

According to data from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), about 70% of the planet’s freshwater reserves are stored in ice and snow, coupled with the fact that nearly two billion people depend on water from glaciers, seasonal snow, and mountain runoff for their daily survival. This shows how glacier loss is a global threat. Can we save them? The UNESCO report The Andean Glacier and Water Atlas: The Impact of Glacier Retreat on Water Resources documents the effects of global warming on the glaciers of the Andes. The retreat of perennial...

Istituto Internazionale Maria Ausiliatrice (IIMA) works to promote the right to education and Human Rights Education for all, prioritizing preventive intervention in urgent situations and the sharing of best practices. The online event, “The Commitment of the Human Rights Council to Youth and Human Rights: Addressing the Digital Divide, Online Threats and Mental Health” organized by IIMA, VIDES Internazionale, the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepard, Fondazione Comboniane nel Mondo, and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, intended to provide insights on the relevance...

On May 14, 2024, VIDES International and IIMA Human Rights Office came together to host an online webinar titled “Empowering Youth as Human Rights Advocates,” with keynote speaker Helen Griffiths of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The online event highlighted efforts among participating organizations to promote youth participation in advocacy work and included a presentation of the Youth Rights Advocacy Toolkit launched by the OHCHR. In addition to members of the participating organizations, the webinar also brought together a number of young people, who shared...

"Water can create peace or spark conflict." This is how the United Nations introduced this year's theme for World Water Day: Water for Peace. A day this year that is more important than ever, representing a front on which the UN has been working continuously since 1993. Water is the essential commodity par excellence, to which everyone should have the opportunity to access, safely and securely. Due to the many crises that have been going on for years, and especially the newly opened conflict between Israel and Palestine, this day...

Following up on a previous project held in 2022, IIMA and VIDES Human Rights Office in Geneva committed to develop coordinated advocacy actions to call the attention of the international community and in particular the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on the rights of girls and young women and allow them to participate in events and initiatives where they have the chance to present their proposals and initiatives for policy change. A team of 10 girls and young women across six countries (Ecuador, Kenya, India, Nepal, Peru and South Sudan) was...

In the context of the High-level event for the 75° anniversary of the UNDHR, the OHCHR will organize the Human Rights 75 Youth Dialogue: Amplifying the HR75 initiative among young people from 15:00 - 18:00 CET on December 11, 2023 in Room XVII, Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. We invite you all to watch the event online! On December 10 we celebrate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and reaffirm our commitment to the protection of human rights around the world. 2023 marks, in particular, the 75th anniversary of the...