14/05/25 Human Rights and Democracy for All in the Euro-Mediterranean Region: Current Challenges

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Time: 9:30 – 11:30 AM

Sala de Graus Casamiglia, UPF, Ciutadella Campus

Speaker: Samar El Husseiny Regional Working Group on Gender Justice (Euromed Rights) and Executive Director of the Egyptian Forum for Human Rights (Brussels)

Moderator: Andrea Noferini

Department of Political Science, UPF

Organizer(s): Jean Monnet Chair in European Governance (JMC EUGov) & Barcelona Center for European Studies (BACES)

The conference is organized in the context of the course: 25440 Gobernanza y Políticas Públicas: Retos y Oportunidades dentro de la Unión Europea.

Content
The Euro-Mediterranean region is at a critical juncture where the principles of human
rights and democracy face growing challenges amid complex political, social, and
economic dynamics. From democratic backsliding and civic space restrictions to
persistent gender inequalities and systemic human rights violations, the region presents
a deeply fragmented landscape. This conference, titled “Human Rights & Democracy
for All in the Euro-Mediterranean Region: Current Challenges”, offers a timely
opportunity to reflect on these pressing issues and explore pathways for renewed
commitment to democratic values and inclusive governance.
Organized by the Jean Monnet Chair in European Governance (JMC EUGov) and the
Barcelona Center for European Studies (BACES), the event will feature Samar El
Husseiny, a leading human rights advocate and expert on gender justice in the region.
As Executive Director of the Egyptian Forum for Human Rights (Brussels) and a key
figure in Euromed Rights' Regional Working Group on Gender Justice, El Husseiny
brings invaluable insights from both grassroots activism and international advocacy.
The session aims to foster a constructive dialogue on how regional and European actors
can better respond to democratic erosion, support civil society, and uphold the
universality of human rights across the Mediterranean space.

Target Audience
The seminar is designed for undergraduate students enrolled in the course "Governance
and Public Policies: Challenges and Opportunities within the EU" at Universitat
Pompeu Fabra. However, it will also be open to students from related fields such as
Political Science, International Relations, and Global Studies, as well as faculty
members and researchers with an interest in European security and defense policies.

About the Speaker
Samar Elhussieny is the Executive Director of the Egyptian Human Rights Forum
(EHRF), an independent organization based in Paris that works to promote and protect
human rights in Egypt and support exiled Egyptian defenders. EHRF aims to promote
the implementation and dissemination of international human rights law in Egypt,
advocate for a human rights-based approach to democracy and the rule of law, and
mainstream human rights in public policy.
She has over a decade of experience in advocacy, protection, and strategic engagement
with UN mechanisms, EU institutions, and national stakeholders. Samar previously
worked with regional and international organizations focusing on gender, civic space,
and press freedom across the MENA region. She holds a BA in Political Science and
master's degrees in International Law (Human Rights) and International Management.