Conference Overview

The post WWII international framework witnessed the emergence of a set of liberal norms and values conceptualized today as the international set of human rights. In this sense, the system of international law serves as one of the main mechanisms for the development and application of a functioning framework for a universal human rights system. Hopes for the effective functioning of such legal instruments at the international level are high; however the lack of universality in practice and the inherent difficulties of their implementation have highlighted the need for further constant legislation to assure the development and the implementation human rights globally.

Some of the major obstacles obstructing the implementation of such a global human rights system are the economic interests and inequalities of the world as well as the lack of legislation with regards to issues of youth and women's rights, which permeates the international community. Any efforts at supporting universal human rights must therefore be accompanied by legislation that promotes sustainable development as well as the protection of the rights of youth and women, which together make up the majority of the world population. In addition, issues of global justice must be incorporated as an integral part into international law in order to assure its positive progress and long term success.

The Strasburg Conference on International Law & Human Rights will gather a broad range of stakeholders to explore and analyze these issues and will formulate recommendations for joint strategies for immediate and future implementation. The Conference will create and publish a proposal document that will then be publically presented to the international community.

Conference Participants »

Participation in the summit is open to governmental & diplomatic officials, academics, artists, journalists, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, young professionals and students as well as other interested individuals from across the world.

If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the summit, please click on the link below and fill out the online application form:

Symposium Speakers & Delegates »

Speakers and delegates during the symposium will include leading politicians, chief diplomats, leading governmental officials, senior academics, renowned authors, journalists, and celebrated artists. These speakers will include a large number of individuals from the ICD Advisory Board. To learn more about the ICD Advisory Board, please click here.

Speakers for the Congress include:

MP Ján Figel Vice President, National Council of the Slovak Republic	MEP Silvana Koch-Mehrin Member of the European Parliament	MP Ögmundur Jónasson Member of the Parliament of Iceland
MP Elfyn Llwyd Member of the British Parliament	Judge Boštjan Zupančič Member of the British Parliament	Ineta Ziemele Judge, Section President, European Court of Human Rights
MEP Marietje Schaake Member of the European Parliament	Regína Jensdóttir Head of the Children´s Rights Division of the Council of Europe	Liri Kopachi Head of Equality Division, Council of Europe

Participant Papers »

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy encourages academic research and analysis of issues related to the goals of the Conference. The ICD would therefore like to welcome the participants of the conference to submit a paper they would like to be considered for presentation at the conference as well as being included in the proposal document that will be issued following the conference and will be sent to all governments and leaders of the international community worldwide.

Certificate of Attendance

All conference participants will be awarded an official certificate of attendance upon completion of the program, which will provide details of the speakers who took part and the topics discussed. Each certificate will be signed by members of the ICD's Advisory Board.