Mahbouba SERAJ, Doctor Honoris causa from University of Liège

The University of Liège welcomed Mahbouba SERAJ, an activist for women's rights in Afghanistan, to present her with the insignia of honorary doctorate. At a ceremony presided over by Rector Anne-Sophie NYSSEN, she took part in a discussion on the question: "How can the stifled voices of Afghan women be made audible in the West?" The following day, she furthered this exchange with students and researchers.

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n February 18, 2025, ULiège welcomed Mahbouba SERAJ, an activist renowned for her work on behalf of women's and children's rights in Afghanistan. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023. Rector Anne-Sophie NYSSEN presented her with the insignia of Doctor honoris causa of ULiège, a recognition supported by a standing ovation from the 350 people present for the occasion. She then took part in a discussion with Solène CHALVON-FIORITI, a leading reporter and director of several documentaries, including Afghanes . Moderated by Margaux BENN, a senior reporter specializing in conflict zones, the discussion focused on the visibility in the West of the situation of Afghan women, whose fundamental rights are increasingly restricted by the current Taliban regime.

This is the second conference in a cycle of three major university conferences scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year, under the theme "Sciences, freedoms, democracies".

Elsa MESCOLI, lecturer in Anthropology of Migration and researcher at Centre d'Etudes de l'Ethnicité et des Migrations (CEDEM), presented the new ULiège honorary doctorate.

Christophe DEPREZ, lecturer in International Humanitarian Law and researcher atUnité de recherche Cité, which focuses on "Governance, Justice and Society", closed the meeting.

Access the replay of the ceremony

Two masterclasses organized in conjunction with the visit of Mahbouba SERAJ

Masterlass and exchanges in the Faculties of Social Sciences, Law, Political Science and Criminology

On Wednesday February 19, Mahbouba SERAJ took part in a masterclass with students from the Faculty of Law, Political Science and Criminology, led by Pr Christophe DEPREZ. The discussion was structured around five themes - education, public policy, gender-based violence, migration and human rights - which could echo or serve as a guide to the situation of women in Afghanistan. Concrete courses of action were also discussed. Mahbouba SERAJ also met doctoral students from Centre d'Etudes de l'Ethnicité et des Migrations. The latter meeting was moderated by Pr Elsa MESCOLI.

Journalism in hostile terrain: meeting with Margaux BENN and Solène CHALVON

Around 80 students in the Techniques du journalisme and Investigative Journalism workshops attended a masterclass with Margaux BENN and Solène CHALVON-FIORITI on Wednesday February 19. How do you report the realities on the ground when covering hostile or conflict zones? What are the difficulties, dilemmas and responsibilities of journalism in these contexts? What journalistic techniques can be deployed to report on the situation of women in Afghanistan? How can we protect our sources and ourselves in the field? Is it possible to remain neutral when covering serious human rights violations?

Through their own experiences, the two great reporters shared their thoughts and analyses on these crucial issues. The meeting was moderated by Pr David LELOUP, lecturer in Theories and Practices of Investigative Journalism.

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