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Shahid Beheshti University and South Africa Discuss Human Rights Cooperation
A joint meeting between the Research Center and UNESCO Chair for Human Rights, Peace and Democracy at Shahid Beheshti University and the South African Human Rights Commission, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Africa, was held online on September 8, 2026.
According to the Public Relations Office of Shahid Beheshti University, the meeting was attended by Nielsen, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, along with a number of Commission members, as well as Dr. Sabouri-Pour, Head of the Research Center and UNESCO Chair for Human Rights, Peace and Democracy at Shahid Beheshti University; Dr. Nouraee, Head of the Human Rights Department; Dr. Gholami, Head of the Philosophy, Religion and Law Department; and Dr. Saeedi, Head of International Relations and Scientific Diplomacy at the Center.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Sabouri-Pour welcomed the members of the South African Human Rights Commission and expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Africa. He then introduced the Research Center and UNESCO Chair for Human Rights, Peace and Democracy.
Referring to the establishment of the Center and Chair in 2001, he outlined their areas of specialization, including human rights, peace and international humanitarian law, democracy, philosophy, religion and law, and bioethics. He also emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the Center’s activities. The Center’s capacities in research, education, academic meetings, specialized workshops, and the development of international cooperation were also presented.
Dr. Nouraee then highlighted South Africa’s historical and institutional experience in the fields of human rights, transitional justice, national reconciliation, and the restoration of human dignity. He emphasized the potential for academic dialogue and the exchange of experiences between the two sides. International humanitarian law, human rights documentation and research, education and capacity building, and the exchange of experiences in peace and democracy were identified as among the proposed areas for joint cooperation.
Dr. Gholami subsequently addressed two emerging issues in the field of human rights: artificial intelligence and human rights, and climate justice and human rights. Emphasizing the need for an interdisciplinary approach to technological and environmental developments, he outlined Shahid Beheshti University’s capacities in these areas.
He also referred to the organization of a Summer School on Artificial Intelligence and plans to hold the international conference “Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights and Peace: Opportunities and Challenges” in October. In this context, the two sides also explored opportunities for joint research, the organization of conferences and academic meetings, joint publications, and the exchange of faculty members and researchers.
In the final part of the meeting, the two sides exchanged views and experiences and emphasized the importance of identifying areas of common interest and developing practical plans for future cooperation. The proposals included designating academic points of contact, identifying priority areas, and developing joint projects.
In this regard, the proposal to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UNESCO Chair for Human Rights, Peace and Democracy at Shahid Beheshti University and the South African Human Rights Commission was also discussed and welcomed by both sides.
The meeting marked a step toward advancing Shahid Beheshti University’s scientific and human rights diplomacy and strengthening its engagement with international academic and human rights institutions. It may also pave the way for sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of human rights, peace, democracy, and emerging global challenges.
According to the Public Relations Office of Shahid Beheshti University, the meeting was attended by Nielsen, Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, along with a number of Commission members, as well as Dr. Sabouri-Pour, Head of the Research Center and UNESCO Chair for Human Rights, Peace and Democracy at Shahid Beheshti University; Dr. Nouraee, Head of the Human Rights Department; Dr. Gholami, Head of the Philosophy, Religion and Law Department; and Dr. Saeedi, Head of International Relations and Scientific Diplomacy at the Center.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Sabouri-Pour welcomed the members of the South African Human Rights Commission and expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in South Africa. He then introduced the Research Center and UNESCO Chair for Human Rights, Peace and Democracy.
Referring to the establishment of the Center and Chair in 2001, he outlined their areas of specialization, including human rights, peace and international humanitarian law, democracy, philosophy, religion and law, and bioethics. He also emphasized the interdisciplinary nature of the Center’s activities. The Center’s capacities in research, education, academic meetings, specialized workshops, and the development of international cooperation were also presented.
Dr. Nouraee then highlighted South Africa’s historical and institutional experience in the fields of human rights, transitional justice, national reconciliation, and the restoration of human dignity. He emphasized the potential for academic dialogue and the exchange of experiences between the two sides. International humanitarian law, human rights documentation and research, education and capacity building, and the exchange of experiences in peace and democracy were identified as among the proposed areas for joint cooperation.
Dr. Gholami subsequently addressed two emerging issues in the field of human rights: artificial intelligence and human rights, and climate justice and human rights. Emphasizing the need for an interdisciplinary approach to technological and environmental developments, he outlined Shahid Beheshti University’s capacities in these areas.
He also referred to the organization of a Summer School on Artificial Intelligence and plans to hold the international conference “Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights and Peace: Opportunities and Challenges” in October. In this context, the two sides also explored opportunities for joint research, the organization of conferences and academic meetings, joint publications, and the exchange of faculty members and researchers.
In the final part of the meeting, the two sides exchanged views and experiences and emphasized the importance of identifying areas of common interest and developing practical plans for future cooperation. The proposals included designating academic points of contact, identifying priority areas, and developing joint projects.
In this regard, the proposal to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UNESCO Chair for Human Rights, Peace and Democracy at Shahid Beheshti University and the South African Human Rights Commission was also discussed and welcomed by both sides.
The meeting marked a step toward advancing Shahid Beheshti University’s scientific and human rights diplomacy and strengthening its engagement with international academic and human rights institutions. It may also pave the way for sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of human rights, peace, democracy, and emerging global challenges.
