Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) are vital actors in promoting social cohesion and advancing peace processes around the world. They document human rights violations, support victims, share knowledge, demand justice – and create spaces for dialogue and transformation. Yet in many contexts, their work comes at a high cost: repression, stigmatisation, surveillance, and physical threats. Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs), in particular, often face double layers of repression – both as activists and as women in patriarchal societies.
In the fourth edition of ziviktalks, we will explore key questions such as:
Three Human Rights Defenders from Colombia, Kenya, and Lebanon will share their experiences, strategies, and solidarity networks – as well as their visions for a more peaceful future. Together with participants, our speakers will discuss ways to strengthen the visibility of Human Rights Defenders and promote sustainable peace.
Our guests:
Björn Müller-Bohlen designs and moderates international online and offline events in the fields of education, civil society and science. He works as a facilitator, supports organisational development processes and is passionate about open-space formats and co-creation.
Björn has a background in media and cultural studies, as well as in business and law. Before joining Bonn University as a researcher, where he oversaw the development and improvement of study programs and science communications, he was a trainer and consultant in the field of youth & adult education. Besides, he worked as a project manager for music & media productions. He served as an executive manager at the Forum of International Academic Sciences’ unit for Strategic Partnerships, developing projects and activities for transformative science. As co-founder of the Twin City Lab, he fostered international cooperation between cities, urban communities and civil society. Björn is a dynamic moderator with a passion for purpose-driven discussions and open-space formats.
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Carmen is a Colombian interdisciplinary artist and human rights worker exploring artistic practice as a method for research and advocacy. Her work centers on listening as a political and aesthetic approach to peacebuilding, creation without oppression, and grassroots conflict response—both in her home community and others across Colombia, as well as in Guatemala, the Palestinian Territories, and the Global North.
She is the founder of Radio Juntanza, a platform for research, dissemination, and support of resistance processes through collective care and art as a tool for social change. She also collaborates with the Institute for Legal Intervention at the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights in Berlin, developing non-oppressive strategies for human rights defence through art.
Through her practice, she blurs boundaries between art, nature, community, and physical phenomena, creating reflective spaces around global systems of oppression and supporting ethical, territorial resistance through collective creation and sound.
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Bernard is a human rights defender with over 15 years of experience in Kenya’s human rights sector. He has worked across various organizations and brings strong expertise in community organising around issues such as water and sanitation, security, and extractives.
Born and raised in Nairobi’s Korogocho settlement, he experienced rights violations firsthand, an experience that shaped his commitment to grassroots advocacy. He holds a diploma in Community Development and Social Transformation from Tangaza College and has worked in several informal settlements, including Kibera, Mathare, and Mukuru.
He currently serves as Project Officer at PBI Kenya, leading the Human Rights Defenders and Community Outreach Programme funded by ifa’s zivik Funding Programme.
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"ziviktalks" is an exchange and networking-oriented series of online events for our community, our partners and other interested changemakers and peacebuilding enthusiasts.
Ziviktalks is an online format.
We offer a platform to
Each of our 75-minute meet-up sessions will begin with short interviews or enlightening talks/inputs from members of our community as well as external experts, highlighting specific topics. Following the thought-provoking contributions and insights, we facilitate a safe space for collective discussion and exchange on current developments and challenges.
The series of events will be held in English without simulcast translation.
Linienstraße 139/140
D-10115 Berlin
