North South University’s (NSU) School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) organized a talk on “Human Rights and National Security: Why Open Societies Need Open Voices” on 13 November 2025. The session, held at the NSU Syndicate Hall, was part of the NSU SHSS Distinguished Lecture Series, a press release said.
The keynote speaker was H.E. Irina Schoulgin Nyoni, Ambassador for Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden. Professor Abdur Rob Khan, Honorable Treasurer and Pro-Vice Chancellor (In-Charge) at NSU, moderated the event.
In her address, Ambassador Irina Schoulgin-Nyoni said, “Open societies rely on open voices. Freedom of expression is not a luxury — it is the foundation of democracy and the key to national resilience. When human rights are respected, societies grow stronger, safer, and more united. In Bangladesh, we have seen how young people’s courage and engagement can keep this openness alive and inspire trust in democracy.”
Ambassador Schoulgin-Nyoni began her presentation by providing an overview of Sweden’s foreign policy priorities in the areas of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. She emphasized that a vibrant civil society, freedom of expression, and gender equality are crucial components of resilient national security.
She highlighted Sweden’s continued commitment to advancing human rights through development cooperation and political dialogue, with a focus on women’s and girls’ rights, media freedom, and the strengthening of rule-of-law mechanisms, including strategic partnerships with the OHCHR Mission.
Ambassador Schoulgin-Nyoni further noted that national security is best guaranteed not by restricting voices, but by ensuring that all citizens — particularly women and minorities — have the right and platform to participate fully in public life.
During the interactive Q&A session, faculty members engaged with the Ambassador on practical challenges related to upholding human rights standards in a rapidly changing global context, the role of education in promoting gender equality as a pillar of democracy, and best practices in governance and rule of law.
In his opening remarks, Professor Md. Rizwanul Islam, Dean of SHSS, expressed gratitude to the distinguished guest for her presence and insightful contributions. He also underlined the global importance of maintaining and strengthening democratic institutions and open discourse, particularly at a time when even in advanced democracies, intolerance toward freedom of expression is on the rise.
In conclusion, Professor Abdur Rob Khan reflected that the discussion illuminated the critical link between participatory democracy and long-term national stability, stressing the need to nurture “open voices” within educational and public spheres to build stronger, more resilient nations.
