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IOI Breakout- Session
The International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) hosted a Breakout- Session in this year’s legal and political symposium of the European Forum Alpbach that took place in Tyrol/Austria from 28 – 30 August 2016.
Under the overall heading of “New Enlightenment” the topic chosen for the IOI Breakout- Session was “Human rights on the run”. In a very informal set-up, participants from all over the world and multidisciplinary backgrounds put their heads together to engage in vivid debates. Students, human rights experts, judges, journalists etc. discussed what Ombudsman and other Human Rights institutions can do to uphold human rights in times of migration challenges.
Short input statements very delivered by IOI Secretary General Günther Kräuter, Director of UNHCR Austria Christoph Pinter, a member of the Croatian Ombuds institution Tatjana Vlasic and by Debbie Kohner, Secretary General of the European Network for National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI).
Participants were challenged to develop new ideas and suggestions for improvements. They were also invited to reflect on what they as individuals can contribute to the current human rights situation. The feedback received was very valuable and even included an impromptu painting by a professional cartoonist.
“This Break-out session helped raise the awareness of the important work the IOI and other Human Rights institutions are undertaking. And it has been a great honour to shape the content of this event as one of the co-responsible organizations” concluded Secretary General Kräuter.
The European Forum Alpbach was established right after the Second World War and offers an interdisciplinary platform for science, politics, business and culture. It connects international decision-makers from all parts of society with an interested audience and committed young people.
