News

In the week of 21 July 2025, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) hosted a series of meetings in Geneva, Switzerland, aimed at continuing the dialogue on the realization of human rights at the local level. Representatives from the International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights at the Local and Regional Levels were invited to join discussions with mayors and local governments regarding their experiences, challenges, and best practices in implementing economic, social, and cultural rights, particularly in the context of becoming a Human Rights City.

On 24 June, the Province of Styria hosted the 20th edition of its FairStyria Day in the Joanneum Quarter in Graz. This annual event focuses on development policy and provides a platform to showcase the efforts of Styrian associations and organisations working towards global justice.

To further strengthen our international ties and promote international discourse on accountability in human rights we have been diligently working on our next edition of the Academy and Conference Series “Human Rights Go Local – What Works”.

Following a successful kickoff event in March 2025, the second peer-learning webinar on promoting women’s rights at the local level took place earlier this week. This webinar series is part of our partnership and collaboration with the African Local Government Network (UCLG Africa) through its Academy for Local Governance (ALGA) and the Network of local elected Women of Africa (REFELA).

In recent years, the UNESCO Centre has steadily expanded its international engagement through various collaborations. Through transnational activities, our commitment to strengthening human rights at the local and regional levels has been recognized internationally, especially through the Asian and the European Coalition of cities under the umbrella of UNESCO. Read on to learn more about our latest engagements.