Human Rights and Democracy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Set against a backdrop of the Arab Spring, students from across Europe are set to discuss the value of democracy at The University of Nottingham's Human Rights Law Centre 14th Annual Student Human Rights Conference. Taking place on Saturday 9 March, the event entitled 'Human Rights and Democracy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?', will provide a platform for students to discuss human rights in the context of their studies as well as wider global and political developments. Organised by students for students the conference will see postgraduates present their research alongside guest speakers who will consider the deficiencies and blind spots of established democracies alongside lessons from the events of the Arab Spring. The democratic ideal Ahead of the event, conference organiser and law student Bettina Keimel, explained: "The Arab Spring has served as a very visual and poignant reminder of the importance that many of the world's population attribute to democracy. It is an ideal that represents achievement or improvement of freedom, equality, safety, a voice or development. "The great force with which people demand democratic institutions prompts us to think whether democracy can, or does, fulfil these grand promises. It also begs the questions: is democracy a pre-requisite for full human rights democracy? and which human rights are essential for a functioning democracy?" With over 100 attendees expected from across the UK and Europe, student organisers and the University's Human Rights Law Centre are once again expecting the event to provoke thoughtful discussion and lively debate led by national and international experts, resident and visiting students.
