Human RightS Initiative


The Human RightS Initiative (HRSI) is an awareness raising and capacity building organization based at Central European University (CEU). It was founded in 1999 by the students of the CEU Legal Studies Human Rights Program. Since then it has grown into an internationally-recognized human rights organization, focusing on youth involvement, education and active student participation. HRSI's mission is to promote social engagement through awareness raising and capacity building. Our main target groups are CEU students and alumni, local and regional students, NGO staff and activists as well as local and regional NGOs.

HRSI works with local and regional human rights organizations, as well as international organizations such as the Council of Europe. HRSI is composed of a Coordinating Body and an Executive Board. HRSI's Coordinating Body consists of one staff member, who work in the HRSI Office.  Please stop by the HRSI Office and visit us anytime.

Find us at:

Location: QS A606, CEU Vienna Campus

Find all our events here

Don't forget to check CEU's privacy notice here.

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HRSI Launches Tutoring Program/Call for Volunteers

February 18, 2015

Following successful cooperation with the local Roma Minority Self-Government and the Miklós Zrinyi Elementary School, the Human RightS Initiative has decided to establish two projects conducted by members of the CEU community of which children at the school may benefit. We invite you to donate a few of your hours and participate in one of the following:

Call for submissions to The Activist, HRSI's human rights journal

February 12, 2015
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THE ACTIVIST

Open call for articles/photography/editorial team/designers

  The Human RightS Initiative is currently looking for editors and authors for the 12th issue of The Activist, HRSI’s Human Rights Journal.The Activist is an annual student journal aimed at providing CEU students a platform for publishing their work related to human rights as well as the opportunity to gain experience in editing a professional journal.

Record-breaking amount of donations received for Winter Clothing Drive and Shoebox Full of Love campaigns

December 11, 2014
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The Human RightS Initiative organizes a Winter Clothing Drive and a Shoebox Full of Love campaign prior to the holiday season every academic year to help those most in need. This year, the two events were launched on November 25 and over a course of less than three weeks, the CEU community managed to gather more than 350 kilograms of various clothing items and over 70 shoeboxes filled with presents and toys for children.

A short guide to consensual sex

November 26, 2014
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Download here our short guide to consensual sex (consensual sex 101!) issued as a part of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign. Until December 10th, you can also find this guide in paper boxes around the campus. 

Coming Out Dictionary

October 6, 2014
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Download here our Coming Out Dictionary, a special zine dedicated to Coming Out Week-2014. In this illustrated zine, you will find set of entries about (important) things related to the queer facets of the world.