In July each year, in collaboration with the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) at the University of Malta, 80:20 organised a summer school on human rights issues for diplomats, non-governmental organisation personal and students in Sliema, Malta.
The Human Rights Summer School had five major strands:
- To identify and explore the nature of the complex nature of human rights values (as well as practice) and the role of education in fostering these values
- To present and explore the legal foundations of International Human Rights Treaties and Declarations
- To use art (broadly understood) as a means of exploring human rights issues, especially within the focus topic – this has included drama therapy, the visual arts and participatory video
- To present and explore educational perspectives and challenges on human rights
- To work on a focus topic – each year focuses on a particular topic. To date topics have included Freedom of Expression, Cartooning and Human Rights Issues, the International Criminal Court, Economic and Social Rights in a Divided World, Human Rights, Faith and Beliefs etc.
Summer school lecturers and facilitators include university academic staff, NGO personnel, diplomats, research institute staff and human rights activists. Participants come from a broad variety of areas including North Africa and the Middle East, Eastern and Western Europe and the United States.
The Human Rights Summer School organised by MEDAC and supported by 80:20 was delivered from 2004 until 2017 and involved over 150 participants from across the Middle East and North Africa, and Euro Mediterranean region.