Using global human rights tools to strengthen our cities & local democracy:

Human Rights Learning & Action Convening

When: July 25-28, 2025 

Where: Washington, DC

Community activists and human rights advocates are invited to join the Human Rights Cities Alliance (HRCA) in Washington DC July 25-28, 2025 to learn about how organizers in cities around the world are using international human rights law to improve protections of economic and social rights and other protections essential to healthy democracies. At a time when cities are the front line of defense against the Trump administration’s assaults on people’s basic rights, we consider how local advocates and policy makers can utilize the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United States to lift up human rights concerns in their communities and solicit support from international allies. Working across cities and internationally, we can build pressure on U.S. leaders and improve U.S. compliance with international human rights laws. Our engagement in this process is critical to holding public officials accountable to widely shared human rights expectations. Participants will meet human rights organizers and policy leaders from a variety of cities, learn about how human rights city strategies are being used to improve conditions in cities and communities, and discuss how we can use this UPR to amplify international pressure on U.S. political leaders in support of human rights. On Monday, July 28th we will lobby at international consulates and U.S. congressional offices.

Questions: info@humanrightscities.mayfirst.org

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