Things might look a little different around the submission form this year. We’re excited to be launching the official RightsCon Program Platform. This Platform means saying goodbye to many forms and introducing a consolidated system for drafting, submitting, reviewing, updating, and communicating the RightsCon Tunis program. You can sign in and submit your session proposal on the Platform.

We’re committed to inclusion and diversity in all aspects of RightsCon programming — from start to finish. A part of this commitment is ensuring local representation in the program. This year, we’re piloting accepting additional languages in our session proposal form. When submitting, you can choose to submit four key fields in Arabic or French: the session title, goal, description, and post-conference outcome.

Ensuring all sessions in the RightsCon program are diverse, inclusive, and representative has always been vital to the summit’s success. We have zero tolerance for manels (men only panels) and will evaluate sessions according to the key criteria, including how it can contribute to and foster a diverse, global community. You should also read more about our Code of Conduct, which governs all of our convenings and activities.

Before submitting your session, we’ll ask whether or not you want your proposal to be considered for our new Solve a Problem initiative. Our Program Committee will be selecting certain issue areas that will benefit from greater time and investment in strategy development. We’ll work with selected session organizers on the problem identified in the proposal including actively linking you with other stakeholders. Checking the box will let us know you’re interested in being considered for this initiative. Stay tuned – more information coming soon!

We are strong believers in the power of talking, convening, and meeting, but RightsCon has always prided itself on translating multi-stakeholder dialogue into post-conference outcomes. This year’s program process features a re-commitment to high-quality, action-oriented sessions. A successful submission for RightsCon Tunis will be one that drives forward an agenda, tackles a difficult issue head on, or launches and consolidates a coalition.

If you have a new tool to demonstrate, a training you can deliver, an advocacy tactic to workshop, or strategies for strengthening the health of organizations and staff, we want you at RightsCon. Submit your session into one of our three skill-building program categories: Tools, Demos, and Training, Advocacy and Campaigning, or Organizational and Individual Wellness.

Every RightsCon session should be excellent. The three-day conference provides a rare opportunity for participants from all kinds of stakeholders to deepen their understanding of critical issues and advance their work for human rights. It is important to make every moment count for everyone. Your initial proposal plays a big part in this and we encourage you to consider our commitment to quality programming as you draft. If your session is accepted, we’ll support you in developing what we call session excellence. This may include merging similar session proposals into a single session, adjusting session formats, refining goals, and recommending additional speakers.

Have a question about submitting a session? Not sure how to blend your work with the RightsCon style? No problem. We’ll be hosting a series of public Office Hour sessions, where you can chat with the RightsCon Team about your ideas and receive tips and suggestions.