TogetherWeDefend 2024 Summit: Centering Human Rights Defenders in Promoting Democratic and Accountable Governance in Africa: “-The Rise of A Young and Relentless Generation”
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Day One: Monday, 25 November 2024
- November 25, 2024 08:00 – 9:00Arrival and Registration
Delegates, Speakers, Partners
- November 25, 2024 09:00 – 09:15Artistic Interlude
Marimba Jam
- November 25, 2024 09:15 – 09:45Session 1: Welcome and opening remarks
Prof Adriano Nuvunga, SouthernDefenders Chairperson
- November 25, 2024 09:45 – 10:20Session 2: Opening address
Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
- November 25, 2024 10:20 – 11:20Session 3: Keynote Speakers
- Amb. Sandra Kramer, European Union’s Ambassador to South Africa
- Hassan Shire, Executive Director of DefendDefenders and Chairperson of the Pan-African Human Rights Defenders Network
- November 25, 2024 11:20 – 11:40Group photo & tea break
Delegates, Speakers, Partners
- November 25, 2024 11:40 – 13:00Session 4: Global Solidarity and Demand for Rights in Times of Polycrisis, Conflict and Corruption
- Roshan Dadoo, BDS Coalition
- Simu Nasir, Digital Freedom Network, Bangladesh
- Nataliya Gumenyuk , The Reckoning Project, Ukraine
- Daniele Duarte, NGO Justica Global, Brazil
- Mohammed Badawi, African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies, South Sudan
Moderator: Martia Lisitsyana, Independent consultant
- November 25, 2024 13:00 – 14:00Lunch
Delegates, Speakers, Partners
- November 25, 2024 14:00 - 15:15Session 5: Recognising the role of HRDs as legitimate actors and key stakeholders in Promoting Citizen Centred Accountable Governance
Ryota Jonen, Director -World Movement for Democracy
Takudzwa Ngadziore, Member of Parliament - Zimbabwe
Kanungwe Chota, Council Chairperson, Zambia
Moderator: Tiseke Kasambala, Head of Programme, Human Rights, Irene M. Staehelin (IMS) Foundation
- November 25, 2024 15:15 – 15:30Health break
Delegates, Speakers, Partners
- November 25, 2024 15:30 – 16:30BREAKAWAY A: Human rights defending in the digital era; Is AI beneficial or a threat?
- Thobekile Matimbe, Paradigm Initiative
- Dr. Hlengiwe Dube, University of Pretoria
- Avani Singh, Independent Legal Consultant (Media Freedom, Digital Rights), South Africa
- Diya Sabhanaz Rashid of Tech Global Institute Canada.
Moderator: Courtney Mukoyi
Speakers:
Thobekile MatimbeCommunity Manager- Paradigm Initiative
Dr Hlengiwe DubeExpression, Information and Digital Rights Project Manager · Centre for Human Rights
Avani SinghIndependent Legal Consultant (Media Freedom, Digital Rights), South Africa
Courteney MukoyiFounder and director of the Justice Code Foundation,
- November 25, 2024 15:30 – 16:30BREAKAWAY B: The State of Artistic Freedom in Africa: Movement Building, Legal Reform, and Mechanisms of Support.
- Esther Ngambi - Director of the National Arts Council, Zambia
- Sam Brakarsh (Artist at Risk Connection),
- Lisa Sidambe (nhimbe Trust),
- Adam Shapiro (ARCArtist at Risk Connection)
- Fumba Chama a.k.a. pilAto (Perm Secretary of Min Youth, Sports and Arts, Zambia)
- Muleta Kapatiso (Zambia lawyer and HR advocate)
Moderator: Sam Brakarsh
Speakers:
Lisa SidambeProgramme Officer- Nhimbe Trust’s , specializing in cultural governance and democratization.
Adam ShapiroDeputy Director of Programs- Artist at Risk Connection
Fumba Chama aka PilatoPerm Secretary of Min Youth, Sports and Arts, Zambia
Muleta KapatisoLawyer, Zambia
Sam BrakarshAfrica Regional Representative for Artists at Risk Connection
- November 25, 2024 18:00 - 21:00Meeting of the Lawyers Rapid Response Group
Facilitated by Arnold Tsunga and Jacob van Garderen
Day Two: Tuesday, 26 November 2024
- November 26, 2024 09:00 – 10:00Service and Sacrifice : Celebrating the Successes of Women Human Rights Defenders in Southern Africa
- Gabsile Ndukuya, Swaziland National Union of Students
- Makomborero Samantha Chitsa, Zimbabwe
- Thabita Lilungwe, People’s Action for Accountability and Good Governance
- Easther Tawiah, Gender Centre for Empowering Development
Moderator: Kayan Leung, Lawyers for Human Rights
- November 26, 2024 10:00 – 13:00Parallel workshops on thematic issues
- Voices of Courage: Protecting Human Rights Defenders and Whistleblowers in the Fight for Justice (Whistleblower House)
- Seeking Refuge: The Role of Human Rights Defenders in Asylum Protection (CoRMSA)
- Regional Advocacy and Diplomatic Engagement Manual Validation.(Crisis in Coalition Zimbabwe)
- State of Protest in Southern Africa (Right2Protest)
- Visibility for Protection Tools and Tactics (Front Line Defenders)
- November 26, 2024 13:00 – 14:00Lunch
Delegates, Speakers, Partners
- November 26, 2024 14:00 – 15:15Election Observers as HRDs: Centering the role of HRDs in Electoral Cycle Processes
- Mauren Kademaunga, Member of Parliament Zimbabwe
- Philile Khumalo, Swaziland
- Paula Monjane, Mozambique
Moderator: Arnold Tsunga, Civic Space Africa
- November 26, 2024 15:15 – 15:30Health break
Delegates, Speakers, Partners
- November 26, 2024 15:30 – 16:30Beyond Rhetoric: Building Effective Interventions for Young/Student Human Rights Defenders
- Kasper Landmark, SAIH - Norway
- Alister Pfunye, Southern Africa Students Union
- Rehema Patricks, Executive Director, Section 30 - Malawi
- Zenani Masuku, AFRIBS- Zimbabwe
Moderator: Tapiwa Lukuta, SouthernDefenders Women
- November 26, 2024 16:30 – 17:30Presentation of Summit Declaration
- November 26, 2024 16:30 – 17:30Closing remarks
Tanele Maseko, Vice Chairperson, SouthernDefenders
- November 26, 2024 19:00 – 21:30Southern Africa Human Rights Defenders Award Ceremony 2024/ Gala Dinner
Keynote Speech
- Allan Glasgow - Frontline Defenders, Executive Director
Moderator
- Dzikamai Bere- Marimba Jam
