At this year’s Opening and Graduation Ceremony of the M.A. Human Rights at FAU CHREN, Dunja Mijatović, former Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, joined students, researchers, and faculty for an inspiring address on the current state and future of human rights. Reflecting on a time marked by war, polarization, and a global decline in trust towards human rights institutions, Mijatović spoke openly about the challenges facing international organizations and societies today. Yet her message to the M. A. graduates and new students was ultimately one of hope and resilience.
Conversations over Coffee
Dr. Janina Heaphy & Dunja Mijatović (Image/FAU: Natalia Wrzaszczyk).
Earlier that day, faculty members and researchers had the opportunity to exchange views with Mijatović over coffee. She explained that, after years of progress, society is now moving in the wrong direction, pointing to growing apathy and disillusionment, especially among younger generations and the wider public. According to Mijatović, international organizations and human rights regimes are being attacked by those who once built them.
Rather than calling for new conventions or resolutions, she emphasized that the real strength of human rights lies in solidarity, collective action, and the courage not to remain silent in the face of wrongdoing. The discussion also turned to how authoritarian regimes manipulate human rights language to justify violations in the name of protection or well-being. Mijatović warned that we need to think several steps ahead before engaging with authoritarian leaders, so they don’t redefine what human rights mean.
Turning to the role of technology, she described artificial intelligence as both a challenge and an opportunity, calling for greater AI literacy and ethical education to ensure that digital innovation strengthens rather than undermines human rights.
Keynote Speech at the Opening & Graduation Ceremony: “The Future of Human Rights: Between Backsliding and Renewal”.
The event was opened by Prof. Dr. Markus Krajewski, FAU CHREN chairperson and one of the M.A. programme directors. while Ines Kalam, the program coordinator served as moderator. The event was organized by FAU CHREN Senior Researcher Dr. Janina Heaphy.
At the ceremony itself, Mijatović delivered a keynote address that was both personal and deeply political. She underlined that education is a cornerstone of resilience and hope in times of crisis. “Human rights education and science are essential nowadays,” she said. It was always important, but educating generations about the importance of human rights—especially in dark times, in times of conflict and war—is crucial.”
She urged students “to stay true to the reasoning behind them studying human rights. Now their role is even more important than ever before.”
“If we do not manage to win hearts and minds of young people and future generations, we will fail greatly,” she added, noting that real-life examples of young people’s activism continue to give her strength and optimism.
Mijatović also praised the diversity and openness she witnessed at the FAU, calling it “genuine and commendable.”
Afterwards, there were lots of opportunites to network and mingle. The event marked the beginning of a new academic year and celebrated the achievements of this year’s graduating cohort.
About the speaker Dunja Mijatović is a human rights activist from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among others, she served as the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2024. She has focused her thematic work on a range of human rights issues, including freedom of expression, safety of journalists, the protection of human rights defenders, the rights of migrants and refugees, and combating discrimination and hate speech. She has also worked to address the challenges faced by women, children, and vulnerable groups, particularly those affected by conflict and displacement, and on the human rights consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
At this year’s Opening and Graduation Ceremony of the M.A. Human Rights at FAU CHREN, Dunja Mijatović, former Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, joined students, researchers, and faculty for an inspiring address on the current state and future of human rights. Reflecting on a time marked by war, polarization, and a global decline in trust towards human rights institutions, Mijatović spoke openly about the challenges facing international organizations and societies today. Yet her message to the M. A. graduates and new students was ultimately one of hope and resilience.
Conversations over Coffee
Earlier that day, faculty members and researchers had the opportunity to exchange views with Mijatović over coffee. She explained that, after years of progress, society is now moving in the wrong direction, pointing to growing apathy and disillusionment, especially among younger generations and the wider public. According to Mijatović, international organizations and human rights regimes are being attacked by those who once built them.
Rather than calling for new conventions or resolutions, she emphasized that the real strength of human rights lies in solidarity, collective action, and the courage not to remain silent in the face of wrongdoing. The discussion also turned to how authoritarian regimes manipulate human rights language to justify violations in the name of protection or well-being. Mijatović warned that we need to think several steps ahead before engaging with authoritarian leaders, so they don’t redefine what human rights mean.
Turning to the role of technology, she described artificial intelligence as both a challenge and an opportunity, calling for greater AI literacy and ethical education to ensure that digital innovation strengthens rather than undermines human rights.
Keynote Speech at the Opening & Graduation Ceremony: “The Future of Human Rights: Between Backsliding and Renewal”.
The event was opened by Prof. Dr. Markus Krajewski, FAU CHREN chairperson and one of the M.A. programme directors. while Ines Kalam, the program coordinator served as moderator. The event was organized by FAU CHREN Senior Researcher Dr. Janina Heaphy.
At the ceremony itself, Mijatović delivered a keynote address that was both personal and deeply political. She underlined that education is a cornerstone of resilience and hope in times of crisis. “Human rights education and science are essential nowadays,” she said. It was always important, but educating generations about the importance of human rights—especially in dark times, in times of conflict and war—is crucial.”
She urged students “to stay true to the reasoning behind them studying human rights. Now their role is even more important than ever before.”
“If we do not manage to win hearts and minds of young people and future generations, we will fail greatly,” she added, noting that real-life examples of young people’s activism continue to give her strength and optimism.
Mijatović also praised the diversity and openness she witnessed at the FAU, calling it “genuine and commendable.”
The talk was be followed by the ceremony during which Prof. Dr. Markus Krajewski and Prof. Dr. Karin Kinzelbach presented the certificates to the M.A. graduates.
Afterwards, there were lots of opportunites to network and mingle. The event marked the beginning of a new academic year and celebrated the achievements of this year’s graduating cohort.
Further information
Website of the M.A. Human Rights
About the speaker
Dunja Mijatović is a human rights activist from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Among others, she served as the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights from 2018 to 2024. She has focused her thematic work on a range of human rights issues, including freedom of expression, safety of journalists, the protection of human rights defenders, the rights of migrants and refugees, and combating discrimination and hate speech. She has also worked to address the challenges faced by women, children, and vulnerable groups, particularly those affected by conflict and displacement, and on the human rights consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine.