Tailormade support

Our team is dedicated to offering human rights defenders tailored support and organizing activities based on their preferences and needs: allowing them to follow courses, strengthen their network and capacities, and participate in events and advocacy opportunities to raise awareness of the cause they are fighting for and rest and recharge their batteries. Shelter City Lyon ensures that human rights defenders’ needs are met during their stay.

Rest and respite

Lyon is the third largest city in France and is known as the capital of French gastronomy. It is a place of thriving cultural and sporting activities thanks to its numerous museums, its lifelong history of cinema and its proximity to the French Alps. Its most famous park, Parc de la Tête d’Or, is the largest urban park in France, allowing visitors to get the fresh air they need. Shelter City Lyon provides human rights defenders with a great environment to re-energize and discover French culture. Our team has partnered with trained professionals to offer physical and psychological care to human rights defenders and focus on improving their wellbeing.

Strengthen capacities and network

Lyon is home to four universities and several « grandes écoles » offering numerous training and networking opportunities. Human rights defenders have the opportunity to follow courses on international law and French-speaking lessons if they wish. Lyon is also close to Brussels and Geneva, where human rights defenders can visit European and UN institutions focused on advancing human rights.

Engage with local allies

Shelter City Lyon has a wealth of opportunities for networking and advocacy for human rights defenders that wish to create new alliances. Human rights defenders can meet with local citizens, local civil society organisations, schools, and governmental and international institutions, to share their experiences and knowledge, and build friendships across continents.