To mark International Human Rights Day, UNESCO brought together more than 750 students from 30 classes in Paris and the Paris region, and 10 different countries connected via webinar, for a rich and unique event on human rights.
The morning began with a warm welcome from Matthieu Guével, Director of Communication at UNESCO, who introduced Robert Badinter, an emblematic figure in the fight against the death penalty and a defender of human rights.
Stefania Giannini, Director-General for Education, then recalled UNESCO's essential role in human rights education, underlining the importance of raising young people's awareness of the issues of justice and human dignity.
The students then watched the documentary “, directed by Romain Icard. Through powerful imagery and moving testimonies, the documentary allowed students to explore Robert Badinter’s journey and understand the legacy and struggles of a remarkable man.
After the screening, the students discussed with Romain Icard why he chose to make this film, how he met Robert Badinter and his influence on justice and human rights.
The afternoon began under the moderation of journalist Asha Sumputh.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, opened the session by paying tribute to Robert Badinter and highlighting the connection between his lifelong battles, UNESCO’s mission, and the power of youth to shape a future grounded in justice and human rights.
Volker Turk, , underscored as a source of inspiration, particularly in the defense of fundamental rights such as access to education, healthcare, and freedom. He shared with the students that “human rights are very simple ideas that, throughout history, have motivated people to stand up for what is right.”
The students then had the opportunity to meet Élisabeth Badinter, philosopher, writer, and wife of Robert Badinter. Élisabeth explained Robert Badinter's journey, speaking about his hopes and unwavering commitment to abolishing the death penalty and defending human rights. The students were interested in ways to preserve the legacy of this influential figure and in the shared causes championed by the Badinters, including freedom of thought, freedom of expression, and secularism.
The afternoon continued with engaging discussions on human rights, as well as the fight against racism, discrimination, and antisemitism.
Richard Malka, lawyer, writer, and screenwriter, led the final highlight of this Campus XL, speaking about Robert Badinter and the unwavering conviction that defined his career. Richard also shared his perspective on the death penalty and the reasons for its global abolition. According to him, the death penalty is a form of vengeance that, in modern societies, does not make them any less violent. He emphasized that believing in humanism also means believing in the individual's capacity for remorse, stating that “the fight for humanity is a fight for life.”
The current generation bears a significant responsibility, as human rights are never guaranteed, they are a continuous fight that must be renewed again and again
After this initial exchange, the focus shifted to the fight against discrimination. George Pau-Langevin, , addressed this crucial theme and the current challenges related to equality.
The expert emphasized the importance of never turning a blind eye to injustice. She highlighted various ways to resist, explaining that this should not involve violence, but rather thoughtful approaches to help others understand their mistakes and encourage them to make amends. George Pau-Langevin reminded the students that “discrimination is not an opinion, but a crime”, and while freedom of expression is essential, it must be framed to prevent harmful excesses.
At the end of the discussion, the students asked questions about how to counter denialist narratives and fight discrimination in everyday life. George Pau-Langevin advised the youth, as responsible citizens, to actively engage in associations, understand their rights, and make their voices heard.
We must not limit our emotions and indignation to the discriminations that affect us directly. If we care about human rights, we can stand up against all forms of discrimination, because we all belong to the same humanity.
If the fight against all forms of discrimination is essential today, other equally crucial battles were also brought to the students' attention. Karel Fracapane, a specialist in Global Citizenship Education at UNESCO, took the floor to address the fight against antisemitism and prejudice, which are threats to social cohesion.
Karel highlighted that 91鶹Ʒ been committed to combating racism and discrimination for decades. In 1949, UNESCO launched a comprehensive program to fight racism, culminating in the Declaration on Race and Racial Prejudice in 1978. He explained to the students and teachers the critical role education plays in defending human rights, emphasizing that stereotypes can be perpetuated through education, particularly when some textbooks reinforce racist ideologies. He stated, “School is the place for living together and exercising one's rights,” reminding young people of their responsibility to promote respect.
Finally, Karel underscored that fighting racism also involves remembering history. He encouraged students to explore the origins of hatred to avoid repeating past mistakes and understand how these ideologies have shaped societies. In today’s world, respecting human rights also extends to the digital sphere. The discussion between Karel and the students highlighted the importance of ethical use of online platforms to ensure the protection of everyone’s fundamental rights.
What matters is defending the rights that are ours, wherever we are and in our own way.
This Campus XL provided students with the opportunity to discover the journey of Robert Badinter, while paying tribute to the commitment of a great human rights figure. It was a powerful day, filled with debates that fueled the students' reflections and strengthened their commitment to a more respectful future.
