Human Rights Day 2016
December 10, 2016, marks the sixty-eighth (68th) anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly adopting the (UDHR) in 1948.
As aptly stated on the ’s website, Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to ‘….celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere…”
Some argue that the last four years have been remarkable in the area of human rights activism and there is a lot to celebrate – while there is a great deal that still needs to be done. There is no better moment to recommit ourselves to the work of those who came before us. It’s our turn to work to preserve human rights for our children and for all future generations.
This year, the spotlight is on the rights of all people — women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized — to make their voices heard in public life and be included in political decision-making.
These human rights — the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, to peaceful assembly and association, and to take part in government (articles 19, 20 and 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) have been at the centre of the historic changes in the Arab world over the past four years, in which millions have taken to the streets to demand change. In other parts of the world, the ninety-nine (“99%”) percent made their voices heard through the global protesting economic, political and social inequality.
To help celebrate International Human Rights’ Day, it is important for each of us to join the global conversation and join the human rights movement. Join the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and United Nations Association of the of America, in celebrating the many accomplishments of the last four years and the work we still have ahead of us.
Source(s): United Nations.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Human Trafficking Awareness Day
In its recent press release the National Council on Churches reminds us that Wednesday, January 11th, 2012, is Human Trafficking Awareness Day in the United States. Faith based organizations are calling upon Americans to become more aware of the millions who are victimized by trafficking – and more involved in finding ways to stop it.
“The U. S. Government recently reported that eight hundred thousand (800,000) people are trafficked across international borders each year; eighty (80) percent of them are female and almost half are minors. These figures do not include the millions who are trafficked into labor and sexual slavery within national borders.”
“The International Labor Organization (ILO) – the United Nations agency charged with addressing labor standards, employment and social protection issues – estimates there are twelve point three (12.3) million people in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude at any given time; other estimates range from four (4) million to twenty-seven (27) million. (United States Department of State, “Trafficking in Person Report”, June 2007. The U.S. State Department estimates traffickers make thirty-two (32) billion annually in their illicit trade.”
The Rev. Ann Tiemeyer, program director of National Council of Churches Women’s Ministries, said the issue of trafficking is increasingly urgent. “As Christians, we believe that all human beings are made in the image of God, that every person is of intrinsic worth before God and that every individual has a right to the fullest possible opportunities for the development of life abundant and eternal,” Tiemeyer said, citing the NCC’s human rights policy statement.
“Human trafficking denigrates the values of human life, exposes victim to serious health risks, endangers the mental well-being of victims and impedes the ability of victims to reach their full God-give potential,” Tiemeyer said.
Source(s): National Council of Churches
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2012 ISHEID: International Symposium on HIV & Emerging Infectious Diseases
The “2012 ISHEID: International Symposium on HIV & Emerging Infectious Diseases” will take place on May 23rd through the 25th of 2012 in Marseille, France.
According to Conference Alerts, “ISHEID will focus on finding a cure against HIV, but also: Human Rights, Prevention of HIV Transmission, Access to Care. ISHEID is the opportunity to meet international Key Opinion Leaders in a friendly atmosphere, and share ideas.” For more information, please contact Alain Lafeuillade or visit their website. Information Source: Conference Alerts. Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Celebrate International Human Rights Day
It has been a year like no other for human rights. Human rights activism has never been more topical or more vital. And through the transforming power of social media, ordinary people have become human rights activists. Saturday, December 10, 2011, marks the sixty-third (63) anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. Some argue that this has been a remarkable year for human rights activism and there is a lot to celebrate – while there is a great deal that still needs to be done. There is no better moment to recommit ourselves to the work of those who came before us. It’s our turn to work to preserve human rights for our children and for all future generations.
This year’s human rights’ theme is “Celebrate Human Rights” to honor the people around the world who found their voices this year using the internet and instant messaging to tell, inspire, and mobilize supporters to seek their basic human rights. To help celebrate International Human Rights’ Day, it is important for each of us to join the global conversation and join the human rights movement.
Join the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and United Nations Association of the United States of America, in celebrating the many accomplishments this year and the work we still have ahead of us.
Source(s): United Nations.
Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
9th International Capacity Building Workshops and Conference on Health and Human Rights
Date: October 6-9, 2011
Place: Tbilisi, Georgia
Website: http://www.ishhr.com
Contact name: Janset Berzeg
ISHHR functions as a supporting association to regional grassroots organizations and has members in almost 50 countries worldwide. The human rights issue is a very important one for health workers, and as health professionals we deal with this in many different ways. We live in a world where these rights are being violated and abused every single day, and where health workers and human rights defenders face enormous challenges in their work to address the consequences of these acts on the health of individuals and communities. ISHHR’s plays an active role in helping to address these challenges by strengthening the communication between professionals in this area, by promoting the exchange of ideas, knowledge, skills and expertise, and by emphasizing the need for an active defense of human rights. –ISHHR
Organized by: International Society of Health and Human Rights (ISHHR)
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Mihajlo Mihajlov’s Quest for Democracy & Human Rights
Date: August 4-7, 2011
Place: Pasadena, California.
Website: http://www.JIS3.org/symposium2011.htm
Contact name: Oskar Gruenwald, Ph.D., JIS Editor
“All friends, colleagues, students, and admirers of Mihajlo Mihajlov are cordially invited to participate in a re-assessment of his life, work, and legacy whose significance reaches well beyond Tito’s Yugoslavia, the Balkans, and Eastern Europe. Mihajlov’s quest for democracy and human rights is an inspiration for all who strive for an open society, pluralism, and tolerance. An indefatigable human rights champion, Mihajlov’s example contributed to the rise of dissent, civic culture, and civil society which ushered in momentous changes culminating in the peaceful revolution in Eastern Europe and the demise of Soviet rule. Mihajlov’s first freedoms–speech, thought, press, assembly, association, philosophical, political and religious persuasion–remain a continuing challenge, East and West, North and South. Curiously, Mihajlov’s thought offers a conceptual bridge between Westernizers and Slavophiles, while his universalism helped him befriend dissidents of all ethnic groups. Indeed, Mihajlov’s was a universal message of individual freedom and social justice. His undogmatic spirituality and central conception of human dignity drew on Russian religious philosophy. The question arises: Can the quest for global democracy and basic human rights and freedoms be realized in a world of competing socio-economic, political, and ethno-national interests and ideologies? Can equality be reconciled with liberty? And, can science and technology be harnessed to serve, rather than enslave, humanity? “–Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies
Organized by: Institute for Interdisciplinary Research & International Christian Studies Association.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum 2011
Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum 2011: Moving the Agenda Forward
Date:October 10, 2011 – October 13, 2011
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Organization: Sexual Violence Research Initiative Global Forum for Health Research
Theme: Violence Against Women
Country: South Africa
In 2009, the Sexual Violence Research Initiative held their first international conference on evidence based approaches for sexual violence, with emphasis on developing countries. People from around the world came together to debate,discuss and share new ideas and innovations for research on sexual violence. An important output of the SVRI Forum 2009 was the identification of some key research priorities. Building on the research priorities identified at that event, the SVRI would like to invite researchers, policy makers, funders, survivors, gender activists, service providers and others to network, share ideas and exciting strategies, and to feed into important international campaigns currently underway to prevent and respond to sexual violence globally.
There has never been a better time to work and impact on sexual violence. Globally, a
number of important international campaigns are actively shining a spotlight on
sexual violence as a gross human rights violation, a weapon of war and a profound public health issue. The UN Secretary General has launched a campaign UNiTE to End Violence Against Women. By 2015, UNiTE aims to achieve the adoption and implementation of multi-sectoral national actions plans to address violence against women in all countries in the world. There is a clear need to build an evidence base on what is effective and what the research agenda should be to inform such programs and to prevent sexual violence.’– Sexual Violence Research Initiative
Important Dates
Registration 1 January – 31 August 2011
Late Registration: September 1– 1 October 2011
Abstract Submission Closed: February 2011
Abstract Acceptance: Notification June 2011
Source: Sexual Violence Research Initiative website, www.svri.org. Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Mihajlov’s Quest for Democracy & Human Rights
“…Mihajlov’s first freedoms–speech, thought, press, assembly, association, philosophical,
political & religious persuasion–remain a world- wide challenge. Can the quest for global democracy & basic human rights & freedoms be realized?”—HigherEd.com.
All friends, colleagues, students, and admirers of Mihajlo Mihajlov are
cordially invited to participate in a re-assessment of his life, work, and
legacy whose significance reaches well beyond Tito’s Yugoslavia, the Balkans,
and Eastern Europe. Mihajlov’s quest for democracy and human rights is an
inspiration for all who strive for an open society, pluralism, and tolerance.
An indefatigable human rights champion, Mihajlov’s example contributed to the
rise of dissent, civic culture, and civil society which ushered in momentous
changes culminating in the peaceful revolution in Eastern Europe and the demise
of Soviet rule. Mihajlov’s first freedoms–speech, thought, press, assembly,
association, philosophical, political and religious persuasion–remain a
continuing challenge, East and West, North and South. Curiously, Mihajlov’s
thought offers a conceptual bridge between Westernizers and Slavophiles, while
his universalism helped him befriend dissidents of all ethnic groups. Indeed,
Mihajlov’s was a universal message of individual freedom and social justice.
His undogmatic spirituality and central conception of human dignity drew on
Russian religious philosophy. The question arises: Can the quest for global
democracy and basic human rights and freedoms be realized in a world of
competing socio-economic, political, and ethno-national interests and
ideologies? Can equality be reconciled with liberty? And, can science and
technology be harnessed to serve, rather than enslave, humanity? –Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies
Keynote: “Mihajlo Mihajlov: Homeland Is Freedom”. Maria M. Ivusic, Washington (Mihajlo’s Sister & Translator).
Symposium Venue: FREEDOMS is co-sponsored by IIR-ICSA-JIS in the City of the Roses–the world-famous Tournament of Roses, in sunny Southern California, with many cultural/sightseeing opportunities.
Date: August 4-7, 2011.
Abstracts: Send Abstracts (250 words) to: c/o Dr. O. Gruenwald, JIS Editor, 1065 Pine Bluff Dr., Pasadena, CA 91107, USA. Please remember to include:Title, First & Last Name, faculty or student, mailing address, phone & email. Publication: Fully-developed papers will be considered for publication in the Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies XXIV 2012.
Conference Website: www.JIS3.org/symposium2011.htm
Registration & Cost: Symposium participants must preregister: $75 by 15 April 2011; $100 after 15 April 2011; $150 after 1 June 2011.
Host:Institute for Interdisciplinary Research & International Christian Studies Association.
Sources: www.HigherEdspace.com.www.JIS3.org/symposium2011.htm.Institute for Interdisciplinary Research & International Christian Studies Association. www.JIS3.org.
Photocredit: Microsoft Clip Art
International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2011
In December of 2010, the Senate voted unanimously to pass the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act. This piece of legislation was sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), the bill aimed to protect women and girls in developing countries from entering into child marriages. If the bill had passed, it would have required that the Department of State implement a multi-year plan to prevent child marriages in developing nations and promote the educational, health, economic, social, and legal empowerment of girls and women. The act was not passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
UNICEF reports that over 60 percent of women were married prior to their 18th birthday in Sub-Saharan African and Bangladesh. Furthermore, the maternal mortality rate is five times higher for women under 16 years of age than those between 20 and 24. (UNICEF) When discussing this piece of legislation Senator Durbin stated, “Tens of millions of women and girls around the world have lost their dignity, independence and lives due to child marriage. Child marriage denies these women and girls of an education, economic independence and is the root cause of many of the world’s most pressing development issues – HIV/ AIDS, child mortality, and abject poverty.”
In February of 2011, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) reintroduced the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act (S.414). As of February 28, 2011, the cosponsors for this piece of legislation were as follows: Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA); Senator Scott Brown (R-MA); Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD); and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME). In the continuing months, since the legislation was introduced, more members of the U.S. Senate have decided to cosponsor this piece of legislation.
The International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act of 2011 seeks to “…reduce maternal and child mortality, reduce maternal illness, halt the transmission of HIV/AIDS [and] prevent gender-based violence. The bill requires the President to establish a multi-year strategy to prevent child marriage and authorizes the President to implement a variety of foreign assistance programs directed at the needs of girls including “access to water and suitable hygiene facilities . . . [and] access to health care services and proper nutrition for adolescent girls.” “The bill authorizes “such sums as necessary.”
Sources: The Library of Congress. The Kaiser Family Foundation’s US Global Policy Tracker. UNICEF. Senator Dick Durbin’s website.
Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
Nichelle Mitchem Shares information on the Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum 2011: Moving the Agenda Forward
Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum 2011: Moving the Agenda Forward
October 10, 2011 – October 13, 2011
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Organization: Sexual Violence Research Initiative, Global Forum for Health Research (SVRI)
Theme: Violence Against Women
Country: South Africa
In 2009, the Sexual Violence Research Initiative held their first international conference on evidence based approaches for sexual violence, with emphasis on developing countries. People from around the world came together to debate, discuss and share new ideas and innovations for research on sexual violence. An important output of the SVRI Forum 2009 was the identification of some key research priorities. Building on the research priorities identified at that event, the SVRI would like to invite researchers, policy makers, funders, survivors, gender activists, service providers and others to network, share ideas and exciting strategies, and to feed into important international campaigns currently underway to prevent and respond to sexual violence globally.
There has never been a better time to work and impact on sexual violence. Globally, a number of important international campaigns are actively shining a spotlight on sexual violence as a gross human rights violation, a weapon of war and a profound public health issue. The UN Secretary General has launched a campaign UNiTE to End Violence Against Women. By 2015, UNiTE aims to achieve the adoption and implementation of multi-sectoral national actions plans to address violence against women in all countries in the world. There is a clear need to build an evidence base on what is effective and what the research agenda should be to inform such programs and to prevent sexual violence.
Important Dates
Late Registration 1 September – 1 October 2011
Abstract Submission Opens 1 September 2010
For questions or inquiries, email svri@mrc.ac.za or visit agency’s website at http://www.svri.org.
Source(s): Sexual Violence Research Initiative website.
Photo credit: Microsoft Clip Art
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