Xavier Law School (XLS) of St. Xavier's University, Kolkata (SXUK) organised a two-day international conference on “Challenges, Prospects and Emerging Dimensions of Human Rights” on December 12-13, 2025 at the university campus in collaboration with the West Bengal State Human Rights Commission and the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi.

The cohorts for this conference were ActionAid India, Peter Lang, Knowledge Steez and Alfabett Solutions.

Rev. Dr. John Felix Raj, S.J., Vice-Chancellor of SXUK delivered the inaugural address emphasizing the Jesuit principles of justice and dignity, ‘cura personalis’ in meaningful guarantee of human rights in the tested times of crisis.

Mr. Basudeb Banerjee highlighted youth mobilization as critical to human rights protection, and Dr. A. Cyril SJ, emphasized the idea of human rights and human dignity and the necessity of social reforms for promotion of human rights across the country.

The conference brought together scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to address pressing global human rights concerns within an increasingly complex socio-legal landscape shaped by climate change, technological disruption, and persistent socio-economic inequalities.

Mr. Paul Divakar critically analysed structural inequalities affecting indigenous and marginalized communities, and Ms. Amaya Valcarcel discussed forced displacement, advocating for compassion-centered approaches prioritizing human dignity over securitized border control.

A distinguished panel comprising Rev. Dr. Xavier Jeyaraj, S.J., Prof. Manik Chakraborty, and Mr. Sandip Chachra examined emerging global human rights challenges emanating from climate disruption and socio-economic exclusion.

In the parallel sessions, participants from South Asia, Europe and Latin America presented research works on various issues like climate-induced migration, gender justice, artificial intelligence governance, labour rights, disability rights, refugee protection, algorithmic bias in medical technologies, statelessness, forest-dwellers' rights, and corporate social responsibility, etc.

The first international conference of XLS concluded with the aspiration and commitment for collaborations and collective human rights friendly responses.

Dr. Kaustav Choudhoury