Convened By
In Partnership With
Eastern African human rights actors are shaping the region’s priorities for the future of human rights.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Eastern Africa Regional Convening forms part of the broader Reimagining the Future of Human Rights in Africa initiative led by the Open Society Foundations. It will provide a strategic platform for stakeholders from Eastern Africa to reflect on the changing human rights landscape, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and develop practical priorities for strengthening human rights governance, protection, prevention and accountability.
Co-convened with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR), the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Feminists in Kenya, the convening will ensure that Eastern African perspectives, experiences and priorities contribute meaningfully to the wider continental dialogue on the future of human rights in Africa. It will connect regional realities with African Union priorities, particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, Agenda 2063, and the broader commitment to a peaceful, democratic, inclusive and people-driven Africa.
For the purposes of this convening, Eastern Africa will include the East African Community countries and the Horn of Africa.
A strategic platform to reflect on the changing human rights landscape and identify emerging risks and opportunities.
Regionally grounded, future-oriented responses to safeguard and advance human rights gains.
Connecting Eastern African perspectives to the African Charter, Agenda 2063 and the continental process.
The convening will be organised around five interconnected themes reflecting Eastern African realities while complementing the other sub-regional processes. Gender equality, youth participation, inclusion, prevention, intersectionality, accountability, resilience, African knowledge systems, community voices and intergenerational perspectives will inform all thematic discussions.
Strengthening constitutional governance, democratic participation and accountability; protecting human rights defenders and freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly; and reinforcing human rights institutions and civil society.
Exploring rights-based approaches to conflict prevention, peacebuilding, humanitarian crises, displacement and transitional justice, including the protection of affected populations.
Promoting economic, social and cultural rights while addressing inequality, climate change, land and natural resource governance, and development models that centre communities and human dignity.
Exploring the potential and pitfalls of artificial intelligence, digital governance, data protection, surveillance and disinformation, and opportunities for technology to strengthen participation and rights protection.
Examining gender equality, youth and marginalised groups, countering anti-rights mobilisation, and elevating African voices, values and knowledge systems that demonstrate Africa's contribution to human rights norms.
A preliminary outline of the convening.
Click here for the full agendaSetting the scene: Eastern Africa at a defining moment for human rights.
Democratic governance, civic space and human rights institutions in Eastern Africa.
Responding to conflict, displacement, shrinking civic space and pressures on human rights defenders.
Economic, social, climate and environmental justice, rapid urbanisation and the changing global order.
Human rights in the digital age, African narratives, inclusion and the renewal of institutions and movements.
A shared vision for a resilient, inclusive and people-centred human rights system in Eastern Africa.
Speaker lineup to be announced.
The Eastern Africa Regional Convening will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 26 to 30 October 2026. Arrivals on 26 October and departures on 30 October; substantive sessions run 27–29 October. Addis Ababa provides strategic proximity to the African Union and regional institutions. The specific meeting venue will be confirmed by the co-conveners and partners.
Key documents and materials for the convening. More resources will be added as they become available.