Rikli Balance Hotel, Bled, Slovenia, 5 and 6 December 2024
The high-level conference aims to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia by bringing together heads of institutions and other international and national experts, practitioners, and policy-makers to discuss the effectiveness of Ombudsman institutions (OIs) and National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in addressing contemporary human rights challenges.
The main objectives of the conference are to assess the current effectiveness of OIs and NHRIs, to explore innovative approaches and strategies to enhance the impact of these institutions and to promote cooperation and coordination among national and international human rights mechanisms. The aim is to identify and address emerging human rights challenges, including those related to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, climate crises, migration, and ageing societies. In this context the high-level conference also aims to provide a platform for the exchange of best practices, successful case studies, and innovative strategies to enhance the effectiveness and the impact of these institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights.
- Peter Svetina, Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia, Regional Director for Europe of the International Ombudsman Institute and President of the Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen (AOM)
- H. E. Urška Klakočar Zupančič, President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia
- Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe (video address)
14.45–15.00 Keynote address
- H. E. Dr. Marko Bošnjak, President of the European Court of Human Rights
15:00–16:30 Panel 1: Effective Human Rights Advocacy: Is there a need to enhance the impact and effectiveness of Ombudsman Institutions and NHRIs?
- Andreja Katič, Minister of Justice of the Republic of Slovenia
- Dr. Andreas Pottakis, Greek Ombudsman, former President of the Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen (AOM) and former President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) European Board of Directors
- Maria Lúcia Amaral, Portuguese Ombudsman, Professor of the Nova School of Law, former Vice-president of the Constitutional Court, former Member of the IOI Board of Directors and of the European Board of Directors.
- Anahit Manasyan, The Human rights Defender of Armenia, Board Member of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI)
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Jernej Letnar Černič, Professor of Human Rights and Constitutional Law at the The Faculty of Government and European Studies, New University (Kranj, Slovenia) and Visiting Professor at the European University Viadrina (Germany, Frankfurt (Oder))
17:00–18:30 Panel 2: The Role of Ombudsman Institutions and NHRIs in Protecting Human Rights in the Digital Era
- Reinier van Zutphen, National Ombudsman of the Netherlands and International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) Regional President Europe
- Marina Ceyssac, High Commissioner for the Protection of Rights, Liberties and Mediation of the Principality of Monaco
- Dr. Eva-Esther Sobotka, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
- Prof. Dr. Marko Grobelnik, AI researcher at the Jožef Stefan Institute & International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence under the auspices of UNESCO
Moderator: Erinda Ballanca, People’s Advocate of the Republic of Albania and Second Vice-President of the Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen (AOM), Board Member of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI)
Friday, 6 December
9:00–10:30 Panel 3: Ombudsman Institutions Addressing Complex Human Rights Challenges: Climate Crises, Migration, and an Aging Society
- Maria Stylianou – Lottides, Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights of the Republic of Cyprus and Regional Director for Europe of the International Ombudsman Institute
- Dr. Dijana Možina Zupanc, Deputy Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia
- Judge Emeritus Dr. Joseph Zammit McKeon, Parliamentary Ombudsman of the Republic of Malta and Regional Director for Europe of the International Ombudsman Institute
- Dr. Ákos Kozma, Commissioner for Fundamental Rights of Hungary
Moderator:Mr. sc. Tena Šimonović Einwalter, MJur, Ombudswoman of Croatia, Member of CoE European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), Representative of ECRI in the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI) and GEC/ADI Expert Group on AI, Former Chair of the European Network of Equality Bodies (EQUINET)
11:00–12:30 Wrap-up discussion and conclusion: Is there a need for innovative approaches in Ombudsman Institutions and NHRIs to address Modern Challenges?
- Emily O’Reilly, European Ombudsman (video address)
- Rafael Ribó, former Catalan Ombudsman and former President of the International Ombudsman Institute Europe
- Alyson Kilpatrick, Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland NHRI, Board Member of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), incoming GANHRI Secretary (Deputy Chair)
- Prof. Dr. Vasilka Sancin, Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ljubljana, Vice-President of the United Nations Human Rights Council Advisory Committee and member of the Ombudsman’s Human Rights Council
