On 10 December 1948, the UN General Assembly, presided by Australia’s HV ‘Doc’ Evatt, adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Born out of ‘barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind’, the UDHR promised to usher in a new era founded on the ‘equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family’.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the UDHR and reflect on its promise, join us for the Australian premiere of Markus Imhoof’s Eldorado, winner of the 2018 Amnesty International film prize in Berlin, and running for the Oscars in 2019. The film explores the challenges facing refugees trying to reach Europe alongside Imhoof’s own recollections of his family’s response to the refugee crisis of his youth during World War II.

Watch the film trailer

A welcome address will be given by Stefano Vescovi, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland. Following the film, a panel of eminent experts will share their thoughts on the current state of the ‘age of rights’:

• Nai Jit Lam, Deputy Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Canberra;
• Kate Waterford, Vice President, Board of Amnesty International Australia;
• Dr Kim Huynh, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences and author of Where the Sea Takes Us; and
• Associate Professor Matthew Zagor, Director, Law Reform & Social Justice, ANU College of Law.

Swiss wine and cheese will be served after the panel discussion.

This event is co-hosted by the Embassy of Switzerland in Canberra, ANU Law Reform and Social Justice, ANU College of Law, the ANU Film Group, Amnesty International, the ANU Centre for European Studies, and the International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights.