In Geneva, prominent figures from Sahrawi civil society are speaking out and sharing their insights. Over the course of ten days, they are educating Swiss students about the realities on the ground, the geopolitical stakes in the Sahara, and the workings of international human rights mechanisms. This initiative offers a unique bridge between the Global South and North, blending activist voices with academic training. In the solemn corridors of the Palais des Nations, at the heart of the UN's human rights system, a group of students from the University of Geneva are experiencing something unique. From June 25 to July 4, they are taking part in an intensive training program led by human rights activists and experts from Morocco's southern provinces. This joint initiative by the Geneva School of Business and Management (SSBM) and several Sahrawi NGOs sits at the intersection of academic learning and civic engagement. The program combines theoretical and hands-on training, immersing students in the complex mechanisms of international human rights protection. Practical workshops, diplomatic negotiation simulations, attendance at Human Rights Council sessions, and guided tours of the UN system are all designed to provide students with a concrete understanding of international advocacy. Behind the initiative are several key figures active in the field of human rights in the Saharan provinces of Morocco. Among them are Moulay Lahsen Naji, president of the Independent Commission for Human Rights in North Africa (CIDH Africa); Ayman Okeil, an Egyptian lawyer and president of the NGO MAAT for Peace; and Gajmoula Boussif and Mina Laghzal, presidents of the Sahara Observatory and the Coalition of Sahrawi NGOs, respectively. An Initiative Driven by Grassroots Actors These figures share their field experience, advocacy tools, and vision for sustainable development rooted in human dignity. Their goal: to train a new generation of students who are aware of human rights issues in conflict-affected contexts, while challenging certain narratives surrounding the situation in the Sahara. As the days go by, the students do more than just listen. They ask questions, voice opinions, and engage in debates. During side events held alongside the UN session, such as the June 25 conference on the «Right to Voluntary Return» and the June 27 panel on «Human Rights in Armed Conflict Zones» (held at the Swiss Alpine Club), several students take the floor. They denounce ongoing human rights violations in the Tindouf camps, challenge the positions of NGOs in attendance, and call on the international community not to turn a blind eye to these realities. Their growing awareness and engagement reflect the impact of the training—and their readiness to contribute to global human rights discussions.
