This volume of the BIM study series is a proceedings of the International Expert Conference held in Vienna on 28-29 August 2008. The conference aimed to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) and to show the progress made in promoting and protecting human rights.

To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) at the World Conference of Human Rights in 1993, an international expert conference took place in Vienna on 28-29 August 2008. The Conference focussed on progress in the implementation of the commitments made by all States for the promotion and protection of human rights and reaffirmed key accomplishments of the VDPA, such as the recognition of the universality of all human rights.

The conference assessed the status of implementation of international human rights standards at national level; international and national perspectives and practices regarding human rights education; and the role of UN human rights mechanisms and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the promotion and protection of human rights. Practical recommendations to States and other actors were generated by the Conference for presentation at the UN Human Rights Council and General Assembly.