Kofi Annan opens the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights

On Friday, 15 June, Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997 to 2006) and (2001) Nobel Peace Prize winner, visited the University of Oxford to open formally the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights, which is a research institute in the Faculty of Law, as well as the Hands Building at Mansfield College, where the Bonavero Institute is housed. During his visit, Mr Annan met students, staff and invited guests. The Bonavero Institute is the realisation of the vision of Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Principal of Mansfield College and one of the UK's leading human rights lawyers. When she became Principal, one of her key goals was to promote research and engagement with global, regional and local human rights issues across the University. A key aim of the Bonavero Institute is to engage in research on some of the most pressing issues facing our world, which include conflict and wars, environmental degradation and climate change, persistent gender and racial inequality, contemporary threats to democracy, human trafficking and violence against women and children. During his visit Mr Annan addressed students, faculty members and visitors, saying: 'I have no doubt that the scholarship and imagination that the Bonavero Institute will stimulate, the exchange of ideas and the outreach to civil society that it has put at the heart of its mission will help realise the ultimate promise of human rights: creating a better world for all humankind.' Led by its Director, Professor Kate O'Regan, the Bonavero Institute is governed by its principles, and aims to be attentive, considerate, robust, open-minded and hopeful in its approach.