HUMAN RIGHTS, BIG DATA AND TECHNOLOGY PROJECT

Participation in a Project Led by the University of Essex’s Human Rights Centre

Completed in December 2021

The Geneva Academy was a partner of the Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project (HRBDT) housed at the University of Essex’s Human Rights Centre.

This project aimed at mapping and analysing the human rights challenges and opportunities presented by the use of big data and associated technologies and at developing good practice guidelines as well as rights-based regulatory responses and remedies to ensure effective human rights enjoyment and protection.

OUTPUT

Focus on Regulation of State and Non-State Actors in the Use of Big Data Technology

Our participation in the project focused, via academic research, on issues related to the regulation of state and non-state actors in the use of big data and technology. We notably analysed whether existing regulatory frameworks and mechanisms – like the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – are apt to regulate big data and associated technologies while ensuring human rights protection. Drawing from existing regulation theories, the research intends to highlight alternative regulatory approaches that could be used to inform or update current legislation.

Support to Outreach Activities in Geneva

We also provided support for the project’s outreach activities in Geneva with UN human rights mechanisms, diplomats, academics and practitioners via public events, expert meetings and consultations.

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GHRP Annual Conference 2024 News

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The 2024 Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP), held on 5 November at Maison de la Paix, focused on the theme Human Rights System Under Pressure: A Reason to Expand Connectivity.

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Training

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1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

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Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

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Unpacking the Human Right to a Healthy Environment: Definition, Implementation and Impact

Started in January 2022

This research aims at mainstreaming the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the protection it affords in the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, as well as in the work of the UN General Assembly and UN treaty bodies.

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Started in January 2018

The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributes to this review process by providing expert input via different avenues, by facilitating dialogue on the review among various stakeholders, as well as by accompanying the development of a follow-up resolution to 68/268 in New York and in Geneva.

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Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

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Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

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