Having a sense of self-worth is already an action. Oleksandra Matviichuk spoke at the graduation ceremony of the European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratization
On 21 September, Head of the Center for Civil Liberties, Oleksandra Matviichuk, delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony of the EMA (European Master in Human Rights and Democratization) — the European Master’s Programme in Human Rights and Democratization of the Global Campus of Human Rights. The event took place at the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista in Venice, on the International Day of Peace.
The Global Campus of Human Rights is a network of over 100 universities that trains and empowers the next generation. Following the diploma presentation in Venice, a new cohort of young professionals has already begun defending human rights worldwide.
“International law,” she told the master’s students, “is crumbling before everyone’s eyes. Having a sense of one’s own dignity is already an act. Even we, ordinary people, can change history. Peace and human rights are inextricably linked. This means that when we make decisions based solely on economic benefits, geopolitical interests, or our own comfort, even if we gain in the short term, we will all face long-term catastrophe. Human rights must be the foundation of our decisions,” emphasized Ms. Matviichuk.
The human rights defender also noted that when the graduates spoke, they emphasized that their actions were guided not so much by conventions as by their convictions This is courageous — to make life choices in times of a global assault on freedom in various countries. She also remarked that it was inspiring to see professors from various universities wearing traditional academic regalia at the ceremony.
