The 5th International Human Rights Forum of the Chair of the Montevideo Group of Universities Association (AUGM) concluded on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 4, at the Carreiros Campus of the Federal University of Rio Grande (FURG). Under the theme “Human Rights and Climate Emergencies”, the event brought together researchers, public authorities, and students from several Latin American countries over three days for an urgent and transdisciplinary dialogue.

The opening session, held on Monday (December 2), was attended by academic authorities and representatives of public institutions. Representing FURG were Vice-Rector Ednei Primel, event coordinator Renato Duro Dias, and the Secretary of International Relations, Dariano Krummenauer. The Montevideo Group of Universities Association (AUGM) was represented by its coordinator Fernando Sosa and the coordinator of the Human Rights Chair, Matías Penhos. The municipal government was represented by the Secretary of Social Assistance and Human Rights of Rio Grande, Dianelisa Amaral Peres, on behalf of the Mayor of Rio Grande, Darlene Pereira. The opening panel set the official tone for the meeting, followed by the academic program.

According to the Secretary of International Relations, Dariano Krummenauer, hosting the AUGM Human Rights Chair at FURG represents a milestone for the university, particularly because the event addresses the intersection between human rights and climate change, a crucial issue given the climatic impacts experienced in Rio Grande do Sul in recent years. Krummenauer also highlighted the creation of CIEX-FURG, the new Integrated Monitoring Center for Climate Events, as another initiative that reflects the university’s efforts in this field. He concluded: “Hosting this event consolidates our university as an institution committed to contemporary issues, both in the field of climate change and human rights.”

The highlight of the discussions took place on Tuesday (December 3), with the realization of five thematic Working Groups (WGs). Each group, held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Building 5 of the Carreiros Campus, functioned as a dynamic space for sharing research. The topics addressed included: Environmental Education and Climate Emergencies; Environmental Justice, Social Inequalities and Environmental Racism; Human Rights, Climate Emergencies and Gender; University Extension in Times of Climate Emergencies; and Human Rights, the Rights of Nature and Public Policies.

The diversity of voices and the wide range of case studies presented, originating from different Latin American contexts, enriched the understanding of how climate change intensifies vulnerabilities and demands responses grounded in human rights. The event highlighted the importance of international academic cooperation in addressing complex challenges at the intersection of socio-environmental justice and fundamental rights, and marked another step in the productive partnership between FURG and AUGM.