An Overview
Human Rights and Social Justice:
Setting the Agenda for the Human Rights Council
Engage in Change
We must take every opportunity to influence the newly formed Human Rights Council to tackle human rights issues in a proactive way that will bring about meaningful change. As individuals we can actively engage in meaningful activities that affect our lives and those of our children. Being a responsible global citizen includes education, communication and action.
Building Hope
The key objective of our conference is to develop a greater collective will to positively impact the evolution and direction of foreign policy, international agreements, and global organizations such as the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The Global College
University of Winnipeg is a leading edge forum for reflection on and response to emerging international issues that have both global and local significance. Through creative collaboration with our local communities and our international partners, Global College educates students and citizens on issues of global concern and carries out its educational mandate through the presentation of conferences, courses, dialogue, information exchange and debate.
The Human Rights and Social Justice conference will be the main event of Human Rights Action Week at the University of Winnipeg’s Global College. The week’s activities include a series of public events: the Rights and Democracy UN Human Rights Council Case Study featuring Muriel Smith; the High School Round Table; Human Rights and Social Justice; and the Bonnycastle Lecture featuring Bill Pace, Executive Director of the World Federalist Movement.
Keynote Speakers
- Lloyd Axworthy - President and Vice Chancellor, University of Winnipeg
- Irwin Cotler - Member of Parliament – Mount Royal
- Roméo Dallaire - former Lieutenant General of the Canadian Forces
- Paul Heinbecker - Centre for International Governance Innovation
- Eric Hoskins - Warchild Canada
- Ovide Mercredi - Chief, Grand Rapids First Nation
- Paul Meyer - Canada’s Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council
- Marianne Mollman - Advocacy Director, Human Rights Watch
- Bill Pace - World Federalist Movement
- Allan Rock - former Canadian Ambassador to the UN
- William Shabas - Director, Centre for Human Rights/Ireland
- Lois Wilson - Ecumenist in Residence, The Toronto School of Theology
War-Affected Children
The primary rights of children to enjoy their childhood are tragically curtailed by war and violence. Children are the first-line victims of armed conflict. Over four million children have been egregiously affected by war. This global problem has local significance when young people affected by war settle as refugees. Government leaders, organizations, agencies and school systems must continue to find new ways to deal with the profound needs of this special population.
Panels:
- Education of War-Affected Children - Ideas and Alternatives
- The Rights of War-Affected Children – A Global Concern
- Convention for the Rights of Children
- Witness Dialogue
Speakers · Roméo Dallaire · Eric Hoskins · Jan Stewart · Karen Magro · Neil Boothby · Tony Hoffman · Tony Tavares · Erin Baines · Obijiofor Aginam · Andrew · Representatives from the Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan and other children of conflict ·
Women and Gender Rights
The continuum of Women and Gender Rights topics can be addressed socially, culturally, politically, or geographically. Advancement in the past 20 years have been enormous, however, in terms of women having an equitable position on a global scale, there are many miles to go.
Panels:
- Here, There and Everywhere - Issues of Gender Rights
- There But Not Here - Issues of Gender Rights II
Speakers · Parvin Ghorayshi · Jennifer deGroot · Joan Grace · Lois Wilson · Laura Parisi · Samantha Arnold · Shelagh Day ·
Essentials of Human Rights Education
Panels:
- The Right to Truth in Reporting
- Telling the Story - Witnesses and Protagonists
- Oral History and Human Rights
- Technology: Weapon or Tool for Human Rights
Speakers · Rasmick Panossian · Sabelo Ndlovu · Judith Dueck · Alex Freund · Ellen Gabriel · David Matas · Lost Boys and Girls of Sudan · Ben Peterson · Walter Lichem · Roméo Dallaire ·
Global Indigenous Rights
The topic of the rights of Indigenous peoples is of great significance to Canada. Throughout the world, Indigenous peoples share a struggle to regain rights and maintain culture. In Canada, our Indigenous people are still far less likely to own land or participate in the full spectrum of society. We have a duty at home as well as abroad.
Panels:
- The Future Impact of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Accessing Justice at the International Level
Speakers · Larry Chartrand · Jeff Corntassel · Kenneth Deer · Ellen Gabriel · Celeste McKay · Victoria Tauli-Corpuz · Ovide Mercredi · Jacqueline Romanow-Bear ·
Shaping Policy
The mandate of the UN Human Rights Council is an enormously complex endeavor. The subject areas selected for discussion and for priority action are, we believe, fundamental issues that underlie the development of a just global society.
Panels:
- The Human Rights Council – Challenges for the Future
- Educating the Global Citizen: Establishing a Foundation of Human Rights
- The Link between Domestic Policy and International Agreements
- Being Heard: Strategies of Public Policy
- Being Heard: Tactics of Public Policy
- Succession Planning for Human Rights
- Barriers to Change
- Bridging the Gap – Activism and Strategies for Transformation
- Call to Action – Findings and Determinations
Speakers · Lloyd Axworthy · Walther Lichem · Paul Meyer · Irwin Cotler · Marianne Mollman · Hillel Neuer · William Schabas · Joan Grace · Allan Rock · Dr. Eliakim Sibanda · Students from the Human Rights High School Round Table ·