Join us for an inspiring afternoon of music, dialogue, and advocacy.

The Strategic Research Area on Democracy, Social Organisation and Governance (SFO-DSS) invites you to Democracy Days, part of the national Researchers’ Days (Forskningsdagene), taking place at USN Campus Drammen!This event brings together researchers, students, and the public to explore critical questions about democracy, human rights, and social justice — both in Norway and globally.

Venue: PB1, first floor by the piano, USN Campus Drammen and Auditorium (Room A5508).Language: EnglishAudience: Open to the public

11:30 Welcome and Opening Remarks

Stephan Hamberg, Vice-Rector for education and diversity, University of South-Eastern Norway.

Venue: PB1, first floor by the piano, USN Campus Drammen

11.40 Anti-Racist Protest Statement in Memory of Tamina

Yeukai Esnath Gezah, Human Rights Activist and Student at the MSc. Human Rights and Multiculturalism (MHRMC), USN.

Musical Performance

Featuring music students from the Department of Visual and Performing Arts Education, USN, Prof. Kjetil Klette Bøhler; Assoc. Prof. Pål Runsjø; Assoc. Prof. Irene Trønnes Strøm and MHRMC student Stacey Katlene Kabera Estrela, Ask Larsen, Eskil Bergaplass, Chloé-Fleur Kolstad and Trond.

12.30 Launch of the Scholars at Risk/USN 2025 Campaign

Chaired by MHRMC students Arathana Kunalan and Christian Frogley

12.40 Human Rights Violations and the Systematic Oppression of Uyghurs in East Turkistan

Adiljan Abdurihim, Uyghur Human Rights ActivistProject Coordinator, Uyghur Transitional Justice Database (UTJD)Secretary, Norwegian Uyghur Committee

13.30 Break

13.34 Student-Led Workshop (USN SAR/SAIH cooperation)Venue: Auditorium A5508Defending Human Rights in a Shifting Political Landscape: Reflections on Populism, Racism, and Democracy in NorwayModerators: MHRMC students and alumni: Sayed Amir Hashimi, Yeukai Esnath Gezah and Hussain Alkilani Alkadri.

14.50

Closing Remarks: Transformative Learning against Injustice: Resist for Tamima, for Tohti, for Palestine.

SAR Advocacy USN and SAIH Drammen USN

The 2025 Human Rights Advocacy Day is part of USN Democracy Days (Demokratidagene) and Researchers’ Days (Forskningsdagene).

It is hosted by Scholars at Risk (SAR) Advocacy at USN, the Research Group Human Rights and Diversities, and USN’s Strategic Research Area on Democracy, Social Organisation and Governance (DSS).

General Coordination

• Gabriela Mezzanotti, Co-leader, Research Group Human Rights and Diversities
• Åsne Håndlykken-Luz, Director, Strategic Research Area on Democracy, Social Organisation and Governance; Coordinator, MHRMC
• Aynur Özugurlu, Associate Professor, Department of Culture, Religion and Social Studies

Co-hosts

• Scholars at Risk - Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge
• Democracy, social organisation and governance - Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge
• Human Rights and Diversities - Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge
• Cross-disciplinary Research on Latin America (CLA) - Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge