ABOUT EVENT

This edition of ENNHRI’s Leadership Forum took place in Brussels from 24-26 September 2025.

It gathered NHRI leaders from throughout Europe at a decisive moment. Challenges to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law – and with it NHRIs – are increasing across the continent. At the same time, the network is developing its new Strategic Plan 2026-2030. 

The Leadership Forum allowed NHRIs to contribute to this crucial strategic process, while also offering a space for peer support and collective reflection on navigating the increasingly complex and hostile realities they face. 

Through a mix of plenary and small group sessions, NHRI leaders explored how to lead effectively through uncertainty, shared practical approaches to institutional resilience, and reflected on responses to the urgent challenges they face. 

Among the diverse topics they addressed were combatting common NHRI threats; prioritisation in the context of a broad mandate; crisis, preparedness and resilience building; accreditation; and the use of artificial intelligence in NHRIs.  

In offering their insights on these and other critical matters, members will help shape the network’s future strategic direction and put it in the best possible position to support, strengthen and connect NHRIs in the future. 

The Leadership Forum is one of the components of ENNHRI’s NHRI Leadership Programme. This provides an environment for NHRI leaders to share experiences and knowledge, while offering activities focused on leadership development and other important topics.