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Network Newsletter  Rights and Democracy Network Number 14 October 18, 2007 Newsletter Sections |
The 2007 International Network Retreat: Learning from Each Other
Participants at the 2007 Retreat
Representatives from 24 Delegations across Canada, from the University of Victoria on Vancouver Island to Memorial University of Newfoundland, came together on Notre-Dame de l’Île Perrot, just outside Montreal, from September 27-30, 2007, to learn about human rights, and acquire skills to assist them in building their Delegations.
A very diverse group, the student participants came from 14 different academic disciplines. This year, Western Canada was particularly well-represented with 10 participants from that region.
Participants from Western Canada
It was the first major Network event for almost all of the participants. Everyone was very enthusiastic about learning about the Network, discussing their Delegation’s projects, and planning their regional events.
Highlights included the Human Rights training sessions offered by Equitas and the Quebec Human Rights Commission, as well as the visit from Commissioner Tom Nyanduga from the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, who is also the Special Rapporteur for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Internally Displaced Persons and Migrants. He congratulated Network members for promoting human rights in Canada, and specifically lauded those students who organize the On the Refugees’ Path project, for their work in increasing the understanding of the experience of refugees.
Students left full of ideas and plans, thanks to the numerous brainstorming sessions where they were able to share experiences and suggestions for projects with each other.
An Essential Tool for Building your Delegation: the 2007 Handbook
At the recent Network Retreat, each Delegation’s representative was given the new 2007 edition of the Delegation Handbook which is your Delegation’s guide to creating and ensuring the growth and continuity of your Delegation. The Handbook includes guides to developing your projects, electing your executive, promoting your activities on campus, your Delegation’s web pages, and media relations, and much much more. The Handbook is a binder with sections for you to personalize to reflect your Delegation and your campus. It is accompanied by a CD-ROM version of the handbook, as well as a multi-media CD-ROM featuring a powerpoint presentation and videos about the Network for you to use for recruitment activities. This Handbook belongs to all the members of the Delegation. The representative of your Delegation who attended the International Retreat will present the Handbook at an upcoming activity, and will make it available to you. Contact Elana Wright at ewright@dd-rd.ca for more information about this important tool.
Stand Up and Speak Out on October 17
On October 16 and 17, millions all over the world once again Stood Up and Spoke Out against poverty and inequality and in support of the Millennium Development Goals. The Stand Up Speak Out initiative coincides with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. On this day last year, 23.5 million people stood up against poverty in a 24 hour period setting a new Guinness World Record. Stand Up and Speak Out is the growing movement of people no longer prepared to stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and inequality.
In Canada, a coalition of student organizations called 8 Goals coordinates Stand Up activities. Network members all across Canada participated in activities organized by members of the coalition. Furthermore, Delegations at Dalhousie (for more information, see the “Delegation News” section below), York University's Glendon College and Université Ste-Anne organized Network Stand Up events. To see all the Stand Up events that happened around the world, visit: http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/en/events.
So long, Cynthia Gervais – Hello, Sophie Rondeau!
Alternating interviews
Everyone who has been involved in the Network is acquainted with Cynthia Gervais. From the very inception of the project, dating to a little over four years ago, she has been coordinating its program of activities so dear to her heart. She has contributed strongly to the Network’s progress to date, in particular by listening to students and by first attempting to find out more about their interests in order to accompany them in the realisation of their projects. However, the time has come for Cynthia to take up new challenges. Now following her recent tenure at the Network, which succeeded many years spent in the sector of international development and human rights, Cynthia will be heading up the Rights and Democracy’s new office in Geneva. The Network will not be left high and dry for all that, however! Namely, Sophie Rondeau has been given the honour of taking over from Cynthia. Herewith: alternating interviews conducted by the coordinators past and present!
Sophie Rondeau: So, Cynthia, busy as ever, I take it?
Cynthia Gervais: For sure. The mission of the new office that Rights and Democracy just opened in Geneva is to closely monitor the historic changes now occurring in the UN human rights system in conjunction with the founding of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in 2006. In particular, our ambition is to support the participation of our partners from the developing nations in the evaluation that will be performed of the human rights situation in each of the UN member States over the next four years. I am honoured that Rights and Democracy entrusted me with this important and most stimulating challenge.
Dalhousie Stands Up and Speaks Out Against Poverty
On Wednesday October 17, the Dalhousie Delegation, in partnership with Halifax-based the Art of Living Foundation, presented an evening of passionate speakers and great local music to support the fight against poverty and inequality.
Beginning with a welcoming and information session at 6 pm with speakers from the Rights and Democracy Delegation, The Art of Living Foundation, The Halifax Coalition Against Poverty, and the International Association of Human Values, this event continued with musical performances by Halifax artists Mary-Grace Koile and Anew Airship at 8 pm.
All proceeds were donated to the Halifax Coalition Against Poverty (HCAP), a direct-action, anti-poverty organization based in Halifax, and the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), which engages in development programs around the world aimed at uplifting individual spirit.
Montreal 8 Goals Coalition members organized an inter-campus Stand Up event
On Tuesday, October 16 between 6 and 7 pm, Montreal student groups gathered at the base of Mount-Royal for the “Montreal Inter-Campus Stand Up”. 150 people gathered near the Monument Sir George-Étienne-Cartier on avenue du Parc (80 bus) for a festive demonstration, which included tam tams, live music, and street theatre. Since white is the symbol of the global fight against poverty, many people gathered wore white to show their solidarity for the cause.
Read Stories from the Field about Network members Ayesha Harji (Dalhousie) cycling across Africa, Marion Viau (Université du Québec à Montréal) in Gabon at the Francophone Youth Parliament, John Wires (Glendon College, York University) in El Salvador, Angelique Myles (Memorial University) in China and Kevin Freedman (University of Winnipeg) in West Papua:
http://www.dd-rd.net/en/reseau/storiesfromthefield.htm.
Do you have an experience overseas to share? Submit your Story from the Field to network@dd-rd.ca.
Roundtable in Ottawa: Religions and Human Rights
Rights & Democracy is organizing a Roundtable on Religions and Human Rights in Ottawa on October 22, 2007. Featuring presentations by Suzanne Tamas of the Baha’i Community of Canada, Razmik Panossian of Rights & Democracy, and Lois Wilson, former Senator and Moderator of the World Council of Churches, the roundtable will offer an analysis in order to develop proposals for dealing with this emerging human rights and foreign policy issue.
Ms. Asma Jahangir,
the UN Special
Rapporteur on Freedom
of Religion or Belief
/ UN Photo
The public is invited to a discussion with Ms. Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which will be held at 7 pm on October 22 in the Alumni Auditorium of the University Centre at the University of Ottawa (85 University Street). If you would like to attend, RSVP by e-mail: hrrec@uottawa.ca.
Dalhousie Delegation member Ayesha Harji and Network alumnus John Slocombe, who participated in the Network’s 2007 Eastern Regional Event on the same topic, will attend the roundtable as observers. Watch for their upcoming articles in Network News about the issues raised.
Right to Food in Nepal: Report on the Fact-finding Mission
The report of the Rights & Democracy-led international fact-finding mission to Nepal (PDF) on the right to food is now available online. The report details the pervasive hunger and food insecurity across Nepal and calls for the protection, respect, and fulfillment of the human right to food, as enshrined in international law.
Recent arrests of student leaders in Myanmar ‘extremely disturbing,’ says UN envoy
15 October – The United Nations Special Envoy to Myanmar today urged the Government to halt the use of force against dissidents, calling recent reports of arrests, interrogations and intimidation “extremely disturbing.” Full story>>
Source: UN News Centre
Canada salutes Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma
October 17, 2007 - The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the government’s motion to confer honorary citizenship on Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, for her ongoing struggle to promote freedom and democracy in Burma:
“Aung San Suu Kyi is an inspiration to all of us. A political prisoner for most of the last 18 years, she has never wavered in her pursuit of freedom and democracy for Burma. Prime Minister Harper has presented a motion in Parliament to confer on her an honorary citizenship to recognize and support her long, courageous battle.
To read more: http://w01.international.gc.ca/MinPub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&Language=E&publication_id=385520&docnumber=143
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada, www.international.gc.ca
World Food Day: October 16
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations celebrates World Food Day each year on 16 October, the day on which the Organization was founded in 1945. The World Food Day theme for 2007 is "The Right to Food".
The right to food is the inherent human right of every woman, man, girl and boy, wherever they live on this planet.
The choice of The Right to Food as the theme for 2007 World Food Day demonstrates increasing recognition by the international community of the important role of human rights in eradicating hunger and poverty, and hastening and deepening the sustainable development process. To learn more: http://www.fao.org/wfd2007/index_wfd2007.html
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
The Network’s on-line forum announces job and internship opportunities in Canada and around the world. To access the forum, you must be a member of the Rights & Democracy Network. Become a member by signing up here: http://www.rightsdemocracy.net/en/membres/devenez_membre.htm
If you are already a member, visit the Forum’s jobs and internships section by clicking here: http://www.droitsdemocratie.net/network-forum/index.php?login_lang=en
Network News is a bi-weekly newsletter published by the Rights & Democracy Network.
The Network Team:
Coordinator: Sophie Rondeau
Liaison Officer: Elana Wright
Liaison Officer - International: Mireille Ouellet
Administrative Assistant: Diane Migneault
Webmaster: Sylvain Aubé
Rights & Democracy Network
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Phone: (514) 283-6073
Toll-free: 1-877-736-3833
Fax: (514) 283-3792
network@dd-rd.ca
www.rightsdemocracy.net
Available issues :
Issue 31 (June 1st, 2010)
Issue 30 (March 16, 2010)
Issue 29 (November 9,2009)
Issue 28 (September 25, 2009)
Issue 27 (July 28, 2009)
Issue 26 (March 27, 2009)
Issue 25 (January 29, 2009)
Issue 24 (December 9, 2008)
Issue 23 (October 29, 2008)
Issue 22 (August 27, 2008)
Issue 21 (July 23, 2008)
Issue 20 (April 24, 2008)
Issue 19 (March 27, 2008)
Issue 18 (January 24, 2008)
Issue 17 (December 20, 2007)
Issue 16 (November 27, 2007)
Issue 15 (November 6, 2007)
Issue 14 (October 18, 2007)
Issue 13 (September 25, 2007)
Issue 12 (September 11, 2007)
Issue 11 (Summer 2007)
Issue 10 (April 13, 2007)
Issue 9 (November 2006)
Issue 8 (August 2006)
Issue 7 (May 4, 2006)
Issue 6 (April 12, 2006)
Issue 5 (March 21, 2006)
Issue 4 (March 1, 2006)
Issue 3 (February 16, 2006)
Issue 2 (January 31, 2006)
Issue 1 (January 17, 2006)
