The Symposium brought together leading human rights scholars, activists and other experts, including the past High Commissioners and the then High Commissioner. Then ten years old, the Office facesd many challenges ahead that were of interest to developing and developed countries. The first ten years of the Office saw increased attention to the condition of human rights in specific countries, and issues related to race and development in human rights framework.
As regarded the next ten years, the Symposium addressed integrating human rights issues into the global agenda, such as preventing violations of human rights, accountability and justice, economic and social rights, globalization, and development. Participants also looked at the role of "special" populations, including women, children, HIV/AIDS, indigenous peoples, minorities, and migrants. And, in view of the events of September 11, 2002, participants discussed human rights and the fight against terrorism.
