Strategic partnerships for ENNHRI’s new strategic chapter: insights and panel discussions

  • Brussels, Belgium

ABOUT EVENT

The current era is marked by ever-increasing, diverse and complex challenges throughout Europe. In the face of these, strong and strategic partnerships are essential to defend human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.  

Coming the day after ENNHRI adopted its Strategic Plan 2026-2030, this event offered a vital opportunity to consider how to best shape these. 

Building on the network’s shared vision for the years ahead, it focused on how alliances can be strengthened and drive impactful and sustainable responses to the evolving and challenging context.  

During the event representatives from NHRIs, the European Union, the Council of Europe and other key international and regional partners, as well as civil society reflected on some key questions, including.  

  • What are the main current challenges to upholding human rights, democracy, and the rule of law? 
  • How can we respond to these and strengthen the resilience of the human rights frameworks? 
  • What are the main opportunities to reinforce cooperation with NHRIs and increase our joint impact, particularly considering ENNHRI’s new Strategic Plan? 

Read key insights from the event here and here.

These will help shape ENNHRI’s collaborative agenda for the future. One where strong and resilient partnerships sit at the heart of coordinated action to promote and protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law.   

Agenda

20 November 2025, 09:30-12:30 CEST

09:30 – 09:45 Opening session
This session set the scene by introducing the shift and focus of ENNHRI’s Strategic Plan 2026-2030: 

  • Welcome Remarks – Alyson Kilpatrick, GANHRI Secretary, member of ENNHRI Board, Head of Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; 
  • Overview of ENNHRI new Strategic Plan – Debbie Kohner, ENNHRI Secretary General   

Q&A   
09:45 – 10:50 Panel 1: Partnering with the EU for strategic responses to key challenges to human rights, the rule of law and democracy 
This panel presented EU insights on their priorities and strategic responses to challenges in the field of human rights, the rule of law and democracy, and how partnership with NHRIs and ENNHRI can support solutions. Moreover, inputs from a civil society representative complemented the pictures of the state of play in those areas.  

Speakers: 

  • Julien Mousnier, Director for Rule of Law, Fundamental Rights and Democracy at the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST)   
  • Sirpa Rautio, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)  
  • Martin Bille, Managing Director for Multilateral Relations, Human Rights and Democracy/ Deputy Political Director – European External Action Service (EEAS)  
  • Balázs Dénes, Executive Director of Liberties  

Moderator: Simona Drenik Bavdek, member of ENNHRI Board, Assistant Head of Institution of the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia 

Q&A  
10:50 – 11:10 Coffee break
11:10 – 11:25 Partnering with the Council of Europe for strategic responses to key challenges to human rights, rule of law and democracy  

This session presented insights from the Council of Europe Commissioner for human rights on how partnership with NHRIs can help address current challenges across the region. Given recent calls from Council of Europe (CoE) to ensure NHRIs’ and ENNHRI’s meaningful participation in the CoE system, the session offered an opportunity to see the interplay between regional and national mechanisms and explore practical strategies for collaboration and impact.  

  • Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights 

Q&A 
11:25 – 12:15 Panel 2: Foster stronger alliances to support human rights, rule of law and democracy in current challenging context  
This panel explored opportunities for enhanced collaboration between NHRIs, international and regional organisations in response to current challenges in the field of human rights, the rule of law and democracy. Speakers: 

  • Christina Meinecke, Regional Representative the UN Human Rights Regional Office for Europe (OHCHR)  
  • Tea Jaliashvili, First Deputy Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights  
  • Eva Kløve, Special Advisor to the Managing Director, the EEA and Norway Grants 

Moderator: Tamar Gvaramadze, member of ENNHRI Board, Deputy Head of Office of the Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia  

Q&A
12:15 – 12:30 Closing Remarks
Beata Rudolf, member of the ENNHRI Board, Director of German Institute for Human Rights 
12:30 Lunch

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