To mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Press Institute (IPI) is organizing a special discussion in Vienna focusing on media freedom as a fundamental right underpinning the protection of all other civil liberties.

The event “The Freedom to Seek, Receive and Impart Information Regardless of Frontiers: A United Europe for Human Rights” will focus on the following questions: As journalists, scientists and academics have become a primary target of European autocrats, how can we strengthen the ability of EU institutions and member states to defend the pillars on which respect for human rights, democratic accountability and the rule of law are based? What are the lessons learned and can Europe emerge stronger from this crisis? How can we broaden the conversation beyond academic and political circles to include young Europeans (and future voters)?

The event is organized together with the the Human Rights Office of the City of Vienna; European Parliament; European Commission; Polis – the Austrian Centre for Citizenship Education in Schools and the Vienna School Council; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights.

AGENDA:

Performance: Superar, Association promoting young musical talents

Welcome Note: Jürgen Czernohorszky, Executive City Councillor for Education, Integration, Youth and Personnel

Panel:
Moderator: Petra Stuiber, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Der Standard
Panelists:
• Andreas Accardo, Head of Unit Institutional Cooperation, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
• Sanita Jemberga, Executive Director and Editor, Baltic Center for Investigative Journalism, Latvia
• Hannes Tretter, Scientific Co-Director, Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights, Austria
• Jörg Wojahn, Representative of the European Commission in Austria

Closing remarks: Barbara Trionfi, Executive Director, International Press Institute (IPI)