This section provides information and tips on how to plan an engaging and effective side event at the Human Rights Council.
Your organization needs ECOSOC status to book a room for a side event, as well as participate in side events. If your organization does not have this, your partners with ECOSOC status can book rooms for you. See ISHR Academy: Accessing the Human Rights Council.
Clearly identify your goals, the issues you want to raise and the audience you want to target in a particular side event
Aim for 3-4 speakers – more than that and you will just have a long series of speeches that participants are unlikely to pay attention to. Select panellists who are able to speak clearly and concisely on the topics
Consider diversity in the panellists and ensure that a range of voices are heard (you don’t want to find your side event showing up on All Male Panels!)
Think about how to make the format engaging: ideally speakers should talk for not more than 5 minutes, ensure that the audience can ask questions and hear the answers, maybe screen a short video, etc
If you would like to have someone join remotely (e.g. Webex/Zoom), mention it in the event description when you request a room, and contact the UN conference services in advance.
Consider whether you want to live stream the event (you will have to organise this yourself, for example using Periscope on Twitter, or Facebook Live).
Remember that if you will be taking photos or live streaming the event, you need to warn the audience so that they can take steps to ensure their security. It may be good to have a part of the room where people can sit if they don’t want to be photographed or filmed.
If you are concerned about the security of the panellists (e.g. someone is intimidating the speakers), contact UN security.
Promote your event:
Prepare an e- flyer about the side event to promote the event send to contacts, share on social media, etc. All side-events are posted on Sched so you don't need to print flyers.
Communications afterwards:
The reach of the event does not have to end at the Council. You can publish an article on the discussion, share the video, tweet about it, etc.
Continue to the next sections to find out how you can engage with the Human Rights Council in other ways, including through meetings with States, resolutions and Government statements.
