Our annual training on the United Nations Human Rights Mechanisms, organized in partnership with UN ETXEA-Basque Country Association for UNESCO, took place in Geneva from September 15th to 18th 2025. We were honored to welcome an inspiring cohort of young leaders from the Basque Country, Spain, who engaged in a variety of sessions about Human Rights, and had the opportunity to attend the HRC Biennial Panel Discussion on Youth and Human Rights during the 60th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). 

This four-day training covered topics on human rights basics and the UN mechanisms for the protection of human rights, as well as an introduction to the UN Human Rights Council and the promotion of youth rights through the UN treaty bodies. These sessions, moderated by Maria D’Onofrio (CCIG Secretary General), invited the participants to analyze the ways in which they, as members of civil society, can engage from their own context in the international human rights fora. 

Additionally, we were privileged to have such amazing guest speakers. First, Helen Griffiths (Child and Youth Unit, OHCHR) explained about youth rights and youth participation in the HRC and beyond. We also welcomed Paula Martínez, who is an OHCHR Intern, to share her experiences as a young person at the OHCHR and her journey as an advocate for children and youth rights. Finally, we were pleased to have Vaibhavi Sharma Pathak (Human Rights Education and Training, OHCHR), who through interactive activities and discussion groups, made participants explore the true meaning of and think critically on human rights education, envisaging concrete actions to promote human rights in their communities. 

Ultimately, another highlight from the training was the attendance of the HRC Biennial Panel Discussion on Youth and Human Rights during the 60th session of the HRC, whose theme was about the role of youth in fostering peaceful societies. The participants were also able to attend other side events at the Palais de Nations as well as a session of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at Palais Wilson, and experience firsthand how the UN human rights bodies work.

This marks the successful conclusion of the 2025 edition of our annual Training with UN EXTEA. We are deeply grateful for the youth’s active participation throughout the program, and we look forward to seeing them share their experiences and insights with fellow young people in the Basque Country, carrying forward this important work in youth human rights advocacy.