The Annual Human Rights Campaign (AHRC) is a year-long initiative by ELSA in partnership with the Council of Europe, mobilising law students and young lawyers across 43 countries to promote legal education and raise awareness on a selected human rights theme. Each edition focuses on a specific area of human rights law, providing a platform for education, exchange, and advocacy within the legal community and beyond.
ELSA Netherlands participates actively in the AHRC by organising a broad range of activities at both the national and local levels. These include academic panels, webinars, lectures, workshops, essay competitions, and social media campaigns. Our initiatives are designed to engage law students, legal professionals, and the wider public in substantive dialogue on human rights issues of current relevance.
Every year on the last Wednesday of November, ELSA Netherlands joins the global network in celebrating ELSA Day under the shared slogan #AllDifferentAllTogether, reaffirming our collective commitment to human dignity.
Through our participation in the AHRC competition, we strive to deliver initiatives that combine academic quality with meaningful social impact. Follow our channels to stay informed about upcoming events and activities.
Rule of Law Education (ROLE) is an international project of ELSA that delivers non-formal legal education to high school students across Europe. Trained law student facilitators conduct interactive classroom sessions based on the official ROLE Curriculum, covering core principles such as equality before the law, access to justice, judicial independence, and human rights. Through discussions, case studies, and group exercises, the sessions are designed to help students develop a critical understanding of the rule of law and its relevance to their daily lives.
ELSA Netherlands was the first National Group in the ELSA network to implement ROLE and has been running the project for four consecutive terms. In 2026, we reached over 100 high school students, reflecting the steady growth and expanding reach of our national project.
Beyond its impact on students, ROLE also contributes to the professional development of law students who serve as facilitators, strengthening their skills in public speaking, non-formal education, and legal communication.
If you represent a school interested in hosting a ROLE session or are a law student looking to get involved as a facilitator, we welcome you to reach out!