Finnish Science Academies’ Risto Pelkonen Human Rights Award will be announced for application and the dimensions and risks of the human rights of scientists will be discussed at the event held in the ‘Common Room’ of the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies (Fabianinkatu 24, 3rd floor) 15 January, 13.00–15.00. We will discuss international life and death issues related to the first award-winning Scholars at risk network. As the second point, current Finnish issues such as targeting and shaming are put under scrutiny. The second prize winner was the Finnish National Theatre for the theatre play Docents dealing with this problematic.
The panel discussion:
– Chair, Professor Markku Kivinen, University of Helsinki
– Professor Friederike Lüpke, University of Helsinki
– Executive Director Lea Ryynänen-Karjalainen, Federation of Finnish Learned Societies
– Director Jyrki Hakapää, Research Council of Finland
Finnish Science Academies’ Risto Pelkonen Human Rights Award can be granted for active efforts in promoting human rights in academic communities. Previously, the Human Rights Committee of the Council of Finnish Academies has awarded the prize to the Scholars at Risk network of Finnish universities (2022) and the Finnish National Theatre for the theatre play ‘Docents’ (2023). The recipient of the 2024 award will be announced in May.
The criteria for the award:
• The award can be granted to a person, organization, or community for active efforts in promoting freedom of science, academic freedom or human rights of academics
• The awarded person/organization/community can operate locally or internationally, within or outside the academic community
• The activity can relate to fostering of human rights (such as freedom of speech) of academics or ensuring the foundations and possibilities for diversified academic work and scientific processes
• The activity can relate to immediate intervening in human rights violations of academics or fighting against discrimination in its many forms
• The activity can relate to objecting to hate speech, stigmatising of academics, or demeaning of scientific knowledge or communities
The event is open to everyone and held in English.