The Asia-Europe Foundation organises this annual dialogue for government, national human rights institution, civil society, academic and international-organisation representatives. The 2026 edition meets in Ulaanbaatar to develop practical recommendations on human rights protection at global, regional and domestic levels.
Participants join plenaries, expert panels and closed working groups under the Chatham House Rule. Selected participants may continue into an OHCHR capacity-building programme on 15–16 October.
Benefits & funding
- Co-organisers cover accommodation for the seminar and, where applicable, the follow-up training.
- Meals are covered according to the programme.
- Civil society representatives also receive reimbursement for point-to-point economy airfare to and from Ulaanbaatar, subject to a maximum ceiling.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be citizens of an ASEM partner country: Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Laos, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mongolia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom or Vietnam.
- Working proficiency in English is required; no degree level, age, gender, residency or minimum-experience requirement is stated.
- The open-call route is principally for human rights experts and practitioners from civil society, NGOs, universities, research institutes and think tanks; government representatives are nominated by ASEM partners.
- Strong human rights knowledge or interest is desirable, and participants are expected to contribute actively and share seminar outcomes through their institutions and networks.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Eligible nationalities
Australia · Austria · Bangladesh · Belgium · Brunei · Bulgaria · Cambodia · China · Croatia · Cyprus · Czechia · Denmark
+ 39 more
Estonia · Finland · France · Germany · Greece · Hungary · India · Indonesia · Ireland · Italy · Japan · Kazakhstan · South Korea · Laos · Latvia · Lithuania · Luxembourg · Malaysia · Malta · Mongolia · Myanmar · Netherlands · New Zealand · Norway · Pakistan · Philippines · Poland · Portugal · Romania · Russia · Singapore · Slovakia · Slovenia · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Thailand · UK · Vietnam
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Application process
- 1Complete the official online application form by 31 August 2026 at 23:59 Singapore time.
- 2Indicate in the form whether you want to be considered for the 15–16 October capacity-building programme.
- 3Await the co-organisers’ selection; government representatives follow the ASEM-partner nomination route.
Program timeline
Application deadline
Aug 31, 2026, 23:59 Singapore time
Seminar starts
Oct 12, 2026
Seminar ends
Oct 14, 2026
Optional capacity-building programme starts for selected participants
Oct 15, 2026
Optional capacity-building programme ends
Oct 16, 2026