HDRI at BRAVE 2026: The Second Council of Europe Business and Human Rights Forum

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Strasbourg, 17 September 2026

The Human Development Research Initiative (HDRI) took part in the Second Council of Europe Business and Human Rights Forum — BRAVE 2026, held at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg. HDRI was represented by its President, Gurgen Petrosyan.

Organised by the Council of Europe's Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, and building on the momentum of the inaugural BRAVE 2025 conference, this year's Forum brought together policymakers, national human rights institutions, and representatives of the corporate world. Discussions centred on forced labour, examining how business conduct affects human rights across Europe and how public institutions and companies can work together toward stronger, more accountable practices. The event forms part of the Council of Europe's project "Human Rights and Responsible Business Practices (PHASE II)," funded by the Human Rights Trust Fund.

Why it matters for HDRI

Business and human rights may not sit at the centre of HDRI's day-to-day programming, but it sits squarely within our broader mission. Democratic governance, civic participation, and human rights protection do not stop at the level of public institutions, they extend into how businesses operate, and into the rights of the workers, young people, and communities affected by that conduct. Forced labour, in particular, disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including young and migrant workers, populations at the heart of HDRI's work.

Participating in BRAVE 2026 gave HDRI the opportunity to bring a youth- and rights-based perspective into a conversation that too often takes place without that voice in the room, and to connect with policymakers, human rights institutions, and business actors working on the same issues from different angles.

Looking ahead

HDRI remains committed to strengthening the links between European institutions, the private sector, and civil society organisations working on human rights, youth participation, and democratic resilience. We thank the Council of Europe's Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law for the invitation and for convening this important dialogue.

Learn more about BRAVE 2026 on the Council of Europe's website.