BRATISLAVA, 14 April 2026 – The Human Rights Olympics is an annual nationwide competition that aims to educate and motivate young people to engage in the field of human rights, civil liberties, and democratic values. It provides a platform for young people to demonstrate their knowledge, critical thinking, and argumentative skills by exploring different human rights topics.
As Sonja Wintersberger, Officer-in-Charge of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna said in her video message at the opening ceremony of the final round : “The annual Human Rights Olympics plays a vital role in bringing human rights and its relevance in our daily life closer to young people across Slovakia. It offers a unique opportunity for young people to reflect on the importance of human rights and civic engagement within an increasingly complex world.”
As in previous years, UNIS was honoured to support a theme for the 2026 competition, asking students across Slovakia to submit their ideas on the following question: “How can young people contribute to fight hate speech, online and offline, and stand up for human rights and respect and dignity for all?” The inspiring submissions explored the skills and actions needed to tackle hatred that incites violence and undermines tolerance and social cohesion.
UNIS will be pleased to welcome the first-place winner of the theme overseen by UNIS, Nela Gajdošová from Pankúchov Gymnasium in Bratislava, at the Vienna International Centre later in the year.
More about the competition here (in Slovak).
Photo: Human Rights Olympics / OLP
