The Call for Proposals for RightsCon 2026 is now open as of August 1, 2025. The upcoming summit will take place in Lusaka, Zambia, and online from May 5 to 8, 2026. This is a key opportunity to shape one of the most influential global spaces at the intersection of technology and human rights—and to contribute bold, community-driven ideas to the agenda.
RightsCon has become a vital platform for strategic, cross-sector dialogue on democracy, civil liberties, justice, and ethical tech. The 2026 Call for Proposals introduces a more streamlined and community-centered format, with a reduced number of session types designed to prioritize interactivity and shared learning. The program will also feature training tracks and office hours to support individuals and organizations preparing their proposals.
What can you propose?
This year’s call is organized around 18 program categories, which guide both the selection process and the structure of the summit’s agenda. These categories reflect the evolving state of digital rights and offer space to surface urgent and emerging conversations across fields:
- Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
- Governance, Politics, and Elections
- Conflict and Humanitarian Action
- Digital Security for Communities
- Justice, Litigation, and Documentation
- Content Governance and Internet Shutdowns
- Organizational Capacity and Funding
- Activist Tactics and Local Contexts
The RightsCon team and the Program Committee, composed of global experts and practitioners, will review proposals with a holistic lens to ensure the content is diverse, timely, and representative of the RightsCon community.
Proposals that highlight intersections with gender, disability, sustainability, Indigenous rights, or youth and children’s rights are especially encouraged.
Why it matters to Articulate Foundation
At Articulate Foundation, we see this call as a vital invitation to bridge our work on democracy innovation, digital rights, civic tech, and ethical cooperation with a global community of changemakers.
If you or your organization are exploring how technology can serve justice, dignity, and collective power, RightsCon is the place to share it.
🗓 The Call for Proposals is open until September 12, 2025.
📩 For more information on session types, thematic categories, and how to apply visit the Rights Con website.
