Human Rights Cafè

A safe and inclusive community for human rights advocates

What is Human Rights Cafè

“The Human Rights Café (HRC) is an innovative project created by SET Padova to encourage open discussions about human rights. Inspired by the idea of a literary café or book club, it offers a space where students meet to exchange ideas and reflect on human rights issues.

What started as an idea has grown into a strong community of volunteers and supporters, promoting human rights education across European university campuses. These meetings have created spaces for both local and international students to engage in fun, cultural exchanges, and loosened institutional hierarchies, encouraging open dialogue between students and professors.

With its inclusive and interdisciplinary approach, the HRC has attracted participants from various fields, such as engineering, psychology, and mathematics. As a result, they have acquired tools to incorporate human rights into their fields.

The project has also expanded to other European cities (like Braga, Granada, Graz and Leipzig, with the support of the Arqus University Alliance) creating safe spaces where people are encouraged to speak up and inspire positive changes.”

— Alessia Ruta, Creator of the Human Rights Cafè

Memories and Testimonials

Università di Padova

Since 2022

“One of my favourite events since coming to Padova... What I particularly liked was the diversity that was present. We created this intercultural community that offered different viewpoints and helped us analyze the issue from various perspectives. This is the best way for all of us to learn and to create intercultural dialogue which is essential for the preservation of democracy.”
Universidad de Granada

November 2023 & 2024

“People's perspectives on the impact different phenomenons such as migration, climate change, and the rising of the far right have on human rights are very vast. Particularly people speaking from experience is nice, furthermore when you contrast it with the formal terms or concepts, like populism, the idea of it versus how it's manifested itself in recent years. Overall it was such a fun experience and I hope to be able to attend again in the future!”
Universität Graz

December 2024

“It was very nice seeing, listening and relating to other people. I loved feeling included, heard and sharing experiences and opinions in a safe place!”
”A safe space to discuss various actual topics with people from different backgrounds.”
Universität Leipzig

December 2024

“It was nice to have such a relaxed space to talk and discuss openly about human rights issues with like-minded people. I especially liked meeting people from other backgrounds, because law-students often get stuck in their own "bubble" - changing perspectives is a good way to engage with those important topics. Thank you very much for your hard work!”