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Hosted at the prestigious Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, The Young Lawyers Symposium offers an unparalleled experience, providing access to some of the most influential minds in law. Thought-provoking sessions, networking opportunities, and an unforgettable environment that inspires and elevates your legal career.

AGENDA

09:20 - 09:45 AM REGISTRATION

09:45 - 10:15 AM

Opening Session: Inspiring the Next Gen

Why Its Important to Empower Girls Human Rights Defenders

Join us for an inspiring and empowering event, “Inspiring the Next Gen: Why It’s Important to Empower Girls’ Human Rights Defenders.” Our speakers will share powerful insights into the challenges girls face as human rights defenders and the essential role they play in shaping a better, more equitable future.

Sultana Tafadar KC

Safiyah Tafadar Mian

10:15 - 11:30 AM

PLENARY SESSION 1: Human Rights in Practice

What Does Girl Human Rights Work Entail and What Impact Does it Have?

Join us for this compelling session featuring a panel of experts in the field of human rights advocacy. These distinguished speakers will share their insights, experiences, and the profound impact of their work on advancing girls human rights worldwide. This session is perfect for anyone passionate about creating meaningful change.

Yasmine Ahmed

Ann Olivarius

Professor Aoife Nolan

Speaker TBC

Moderator

11:30 - 11:45 AM BREAK - Connect with fellow attendees and speakers.

11:45 AM - 12:15 PM

KEYNOTE SPPECH - SPECIAL GUEST TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

12:15 PM- 13:00 PM

PLENARY SESSION 2: Driving Change

The Impact and Vision of the Girls’ Human Rights Hub

The Girls Human Rights Hub is a community focused on advancing girls' rights through engagement and advocacy. Our network includes university ambassadors and school minibus promoting awareness and action on vital issues affecting girls. Our young experts lead campaigns addressing global challenges faced by girls, using strategies to promote their rights and foster sustainable change. Joining GHRH equips you with knowledge and skills while empowering the next generation of advocates. Together, we can amplify voices and work towards a just and equitable society for all girls. Engage with us to shape a better future for girls worldwide.

Ilvana Dedja

Speaker TBC

Speaker TBC

Speaker TBC

Moderator

13:00 - 14:00 PM

NETWORKING - Connect with new acquaintances and discuss the morning's sessions!

14:00 - 15:30 PM

PLENARY SESSION 2: Essential Skills and Pathways

How Legal Practice and Advocacy Collaborate to Advance

Girls’ Human Rights and Drive Systemic Change

In this session, we will discuss the essential skills needed for success in human rights law, including legal expertise, advocacy, and strategic thinking. Our speakers will share insights on the various pathways to becoming a human rights lawyer, offering advice on the education, experience, and commitment required to make a meaningful impact in the field of human rights.

Philippa Webb

Speaker TBC

Speaker TBC

Speaker TBC

Moderator

15:30 - 16:00 PM

CLOSING & NETWORKING - Connect with fellow attendees and speakers over light refreshments

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

  • Appointed King’s Counsel in March 2022, Sultana is a highly experienced human rights, international law and criminal justice barrister, advising States, NGOs and individuals. She also advises large multi-national corporations on Diversity & Equality. She is Chair of the Bar Standard Board’s Taskforce on Religious & Belief. Sultana's unique expertise in high profile counter terrorism & national security cases spans across the Criminal Courts, Coronial Courts, Administrative and Family Divisions of the High Court and the Appellate Courts. She is part of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Roster of Criminal Justice Sector Experts dealing with Counter-Terrorism. She advises on international human rights, international criminal law and humanitarian law issues. She is currently on the Advisory Board, Influencing Corridors of Power (ICOP), School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London; Member of Legal Expert Advisory Panel for Fair Trials International (LEAP); Special Advisor on Human Rights for the Oxford Initiative for Global Ethics and Human Rights; and on the Advisory Council for JUSTICE. Sultana is an award-winning barrister, winning Barrister of the Year 2022 at the Inspirational Women in Law Awards; appearing in the HERoes Top 100 Women Future Leaders, 2021; Winner of the Professions Category, Asian Women of Achievement, 2021; Finalist in BSN Lawyer of the Year (Chambers), UK Legal Diversity Awards; and Finalist, in Outstanding Woman in Professional category sponsored by Baker McKenzie, Precious Awards 2021. She is also the Founder & Director of Modest Fashion Festival which attracted a global audience of 1.56 billion.

  • Safiyah is 13  years old and the Co-Founder of GHRH. Safiyah has always been driven by the desire to become a human rights lawyer. She came up with the idea of creating a Hub where girls could learn more about their rights and how to claim them.  She loves representing and advocating on behalf of her peers. She has represented her year group on the School Council for two years. She has been a Form Captain and was voted vice House Captain this year. She is a Digital Ambassador at her school and has recently taken on the role of Inclusivity Ambassador. She loves debating and is a Lamda scholar.

  • Philippa Webb is Professor of Public International Law, University of Oxford and the Blavatnik School of Government. In October 2025, she is launching the Oxford Institute of Technology and Justice in partnership with the Clooney Foundation for Justice. She is also a barrister at Twenty Essex and has appeared before the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the European Court of Human Rights and the UK Supreme Court. Philippa has held positions in the Presidency of the International Court of Justice, the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court and in United Nations Headquarters. In her human rights practice she has represented an individual who have been allegedly subjected to modern slavery and persons who claim to have been harassed through a State’s use of spyware. Philippa has represented small island States in international climate litigation and she is counsel to States intervening in cases concerning genocide. Her publications include Freedom of Speech in International Law (2024, chapters on insulting speech and false speech, A Clooney & D Neuberger eds), The Right to a Fair Trial in International Law (2021, with A Clooney), Oppenheim’s International Law: United Nations (2017, with Dame Rosalyn Higgins GBE KC, D Akande, S Sivakumaran and J Sloan), and The Law of State Immunity (2015, with Lady Fox KC).

  • Bio to be added soon!

  • Bio to be added soon!

  • Bio to be added soon!

  • Bio to be added soon!