Experience the College Freedom Forum at Tufts, UFM, and GW
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is thrilled to announce three upcoming College Freedom Forum (CFF) events this spring.
CFF is a series of events on university campuses designed to connect students with world-renowned activists working to promote democracy and human rights in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes. These events offer a unique opportunity for students to engage with global changemakers, spark meaningful dialogue, and explore ways to protect freedom worldwide.
Tufts University
In collaboration with TuftsтАЩ Institute for Global Leadership, HRF will host a full day of inspiring talks and engaging discussions as part of TuftsтАЩ annual student symposium on the theme тАЬDemocracy on the Brink.тАЭ
Students will experience a full day of thought-provoking panel discussions, breakout sessions, a musical performance, and other programming. Keynote talks will be delivered by former Oslo Freedom Forum (OFF) speakers, including:
- Nigerian artist and #EndSARS movement activist, DJ Switch
- Founder and president of Ideas Beyond Borders, Faisal Al Mutar
- Nicaraguan pro-democracy advocate and former prisoner of conscience, F├йlix Maradiaga
- Exiled Belarusian journalist, Hanna Liubakova
- Uyghur advocate and daughter of imprisoned scholar Ilham Tohti, Jewher Ilham
- Former president of the Tibetan government in exile, Lobsang Sangay
ЁЯУН Location: Breed Memorial Hall, Tufts University (Boston, MA)
ЁЯЧУя╕П Date: Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
тП░ Time: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Francisco Marroqu├нn University (UFM)
UFMтАЩs eighth CFF event will bring the inspiring spirit of the Oslo Freedom Forum into the classroom. Students will be able to engage directly with global activists, visual artists, musicians, and civil society leaders to build connections with human rights defenders and fellow advocates and explore strategies to challenge authoritarianism and promote freedom.
Programming includes meaningful discussions and experiences by:
- Rwandan human rights advocate, Ana├пse Kanimba
- Honkongese-American, Joey Siu
- Cuban lawyer and executive director of Cubalex, Laritza Diversent
- Venezuelan human rights activist, Olga Gonz├бlez
ЁЯУН Location: Juan Bautista Auditorium, UFM Campus (Guatemala City)
ЁЯЧУя╕П Date: Friday, March 7, 2025
тП░ Time: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
George Washington University (GW)
Hosted in collaboration with GWтАЩs International & Comparative Law program, this half-day event will explore the critical intersection of authoritarianism, human rights violations, and international legal mechanisms.
Students will explore the global struggle for democracy and strategies for protecting freedom in closed societies through a panel discussion, Q&A session, and keynote talks by activists, including:
- Lebanese gender and sexual rights activist, Georges Azzi
- Venezuelan lawyer specializing in human rights and international law, G├йnesis D├бvila
- Former president of the Tibetan government in exile, Lobsang Sangay
- Human rights lawyer and child of Azerbaijani political prisoner, Zhala Bayramova
ЁЯУН Location: Faculty Conference Center, GW Law School (Washington, DC)
ЁЯЧУя╕П Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
тП░ Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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If you have questions about this program or would like to get involved in future CFF events, please email [email protected].
