Schedule:
Venue: Tampere University
Council of Europe Human Rights Day in Tampere 19.5.2025
Welcome to the third edition of the Council of Europe Human Rights Day, which will bring together expert contributions on the Council of Europe’s role in promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law, especially from the perspective of the state of civil society. It will also mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights and the 35th anniversary of Finland’s ratification of the Convention.
This year, the Council of Europe Human Rights Day will take place on Monday 19 May 2025 at the University of Tampere from 13.00 to 16.30. The event is organised by Demo Finland, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Human Rights Centre, the Association of Local and Regional Authorities, the University of Tampere and the City of Tampere.
The Council of Europe Human Rights Day is part of a campaign to strengthen the visibility of the Council of Europe in its member states.
Registration to the event has closed.
Programme
Opening remarks and welcome
– Anu Juvonen, Executive Director, Demo Finland
Introduction to the human rights day in Tampere
– Antti Lönnqvist, Vice Rector, Tampere University
Address from the Council of Europe
– Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General, Council of Europe
Presentation of the highlights on the work of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
– Mathieu Mori, Secretary General of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Council of Europe
Thematic Keynote: You can’t have one without the other – civil society and the European Convention on Human Rights
– Prof. dr. Antoine Buyse, Utrecht University
Comment: Representing future generations in climate litigation – a Finnish civil society view
– Anu Mutanen, Associate Professor, Tampere University
Comment: The space is shrinking – current challenges for civil society in Finland
– Niina Laajapuro, Policy Director, Amnesty International Finland
Panel discussion: Running out of air?
In the panel discussion, active youth reflect on the impact of the shrinking space for civil society on youth, activism and climate issues. The panel consists of politically active youth on different path to influence.
– Lumi Reichenbach, Youth Delegate of Finland to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
– Natalia Kallio, Youth Activist and Board member in two Council of Europe funded youth organisations, Member of Helsinki City Council
– Frans Frangen, Member of Extinction Rebellion Finland
– Samu Rinne, Member of Tampere City Youth Council
The panel is moderated by environmental journalist Orna Benlulu from youth media RARE.
Coffee break
Panel discussion: Human rights in the day to day
A discussion on municipality and civil society co-operation discusses the use of public spaces such as libraries from a human rights perspective.
– Lotta Valtonen, Specialist in the Unit for Democracy and Civil Society, Council of Europe
– Aleksi Jäntti, Member of Tampere City Council, Member of Parliament, National Coalition Party
– Niina Salmenkangas, Head of Library services, City of Tampere
– Meri Kianto, Executive Director, Pakolaisnuortentuki ry
The panel is moderated by Executive Director of Demo Finland, Anu Juvonen.
Closing of the day
– Sini Paukkunen-Mykkänen, Head of Mission, Permanent Representation of Finland to the Council of Europe