Kean University to Host 18th Annual Human Rights Conference Focused on ‘Sustainability in Action’

Ireland’s first female president, Mary Robinson, will be a keynote speaker at Kean University’s 18th Annual Human Rights Conference on Friday, March 27. Centered on the theme of Sustainability in Action, the conference will explore the intersection of human rights and sustainability, highlighting how collective action can drive meaningful change. 

Robinson served as Ireland’s president from 1990-1997 and later as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. A global leader on climate justice, she has dedicated years to addressing the climate crisis as a defining human rights challenge and has long advocated for diverse voices in shaping global climate solutions.  

Joining Robinson are humanitarian and actress Monique Coleman and climate justice advocate Sabs Katz, whose work spans global policy, youth advocacy and community-based environmental action. 

Coleman, a United Nations Youth Champion and star of Disney’s High School Musical, has traveled to 24 countries advocating for issues affecting young people worldwide, while Katz is a Brooklyn-based sustainability communications expert and creator of Sustainable Sabs, a platform promoting climate justice through slow fashion, wellness, and more. 

“This conference reflects Kean’s commitment to advancing human rights through education, dialogue and action,” said Kean University President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. “Sustainability is an issue that affects all of us. By bringing global leaders and advocates to our campus, we are encouraging our students and our community to engage thoughtfully with these issues and consider the role they can play in creating positive change.” 

Adara Goldberg, Ph.D., executive director of the Holocaust Resource Center and Human Rights Institute, said the conference is designed to connect global conversations with meaningful community engagement. 

“We aim to bring these opportunities to the community and help students see themselves as changemakers,” Goldberg said. “This conference reinforces that students have the ability to create positive change, whether globally or in their own backyard.” 

Each year, the conference continues to elevate timely and urgent human rights conversations.  

“It's always a monumental event for Kean and the community to learn about a specific human rights issue in more detail,” said Sarah Coykendall, managing assistant director of the Holocaust Resource Center and the Human Rights Institute. “Kean is uniquely positioned to offer a program that spotlights contemporary human rights issues, raising awareness of both ongoing violations and the progress and victories achieved around the world.” 

This year’s theme highlights the critical efforts of Kean’s Sustainability Task Force, co-chaired by Felice Vazquez, chancellor for international campuses, along with the new student-led Sustainability Squad. “Through the work of the Sustainability Task Force and Human Rights Institute, we are advancing practices that protect our planet while ensuring equity, dignity and opportunity for current and future generations,” Vazquez said.  

Several human rights awards will also be presented at the conference, including the Student Human Rights Activist Award. Additionally, attendees are encouraged to visit the Human Rights Institute Gallery exhibition by Jaymes Jorsling, Hub City: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of History, Art, and Identity. Centered on New Brunswick’s overlooked role in slavery and freedom, the exhibition uses visual art, theatre and music to reflect on ancestry, resilience and the power of art in healing, dialogue and remembrance. 

The conference begins at 9 a.m. at Wilkins Theatre, with overflow seating available at the North Avenue Academic Building (NAAB) on Kean’s Union campus. Admission is free, but advance registration is required. 

The event is open to the Kean community, members of the public, and middle and high school students. To register, please visit these links:  

• Kean community and public registration.
• Registration for New Jersey high school and middle school groups. 

There will also be additional activities throughout Human Rights Week from March 23-27 for Kean students, including a movie night, a No-Sew Upcycling event and more.