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Network Newsletter  Rights and Democracy Network Number 25 January 29, 2009 Newsletter Sections |
Coming soon: Your Regional Event!
The Network’s Regional Events will take place this February and March! These events bring together Network members from across each region to focus on one issue, learn together, and network with each other. Don’t miss your chance to experience a regional event first-hand.
Rights & Democracy Network Eastern Regional Event:
“Silver Spoons and AK47s: How Youth Understand Conflict Around the World”
February 5-8, 2009 – Mt. Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick
The Rights and Democracy Delegation at Mount Allison University presents the conference “Silver Spoons and AK47s: How Youth Understand Conflict Around the World” from February 5-8, 2009. This three-day event will bring together NGOs and experts working in the field from Sierra Leone to the Hague to provide participants with a solid understanding of the experiences of youth and children in conflict situations.
The conference features speakers including the President of Rights and Democracy, Rémy M. Beauregard, who will speak about his work with ex-child soldiers and child survivors of sexual violence in Northern Uganda, and young Colombian lawyer Patricia Tobón who has worked extensively with indigenous youth who live in a country which has been in conflict for generations. Participants will also participate in a simulation of a refugee camp, and in practical workshops which will teach skills from running a radio show to discerning the role of the media in conflict situations.
If you live in the Network’s Atlantic Region (NF, NS, NB, and PEI), we encourage you to download the registration form from the Delegation's website (www.dd-rd.net/mta) fill it out, and submit it to: silverspoonsandak47s@gmail.com by Thursday, January 29, 2009.
Rights & Democracy Network Western Regional Event:
“Fair Trade vs. Free Trade”
February 19-22, 2009 – Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC
Come join the Delegation at the University of Vancouver Island in Nanaimo for a reality check on trade from February 19-22, 2009. The Delegation is offering an awareness-building, inspiring weekend that will be sure to get you thinking outside of the box. The topics of free trade and fair trade will be explored interactively, through workshops, games, films, a sweatshop simulation and sweatshop fashion show. Renowned speakers will help us to understand how our consumer choices impact the lives of others on a global scale. Registration forms available soon!
Contact Elana Wright at ewright@dd-rd.ca if you would like more information on your regional event, and to find out how you can get involved.
Rights & Democracy Network Ontario Regional Event:
“Rights and responsibilities of journalists in situations of conflict in developing countries”
March 6-8, 2009 – Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario
Laurentian University’s Rights and Democracy Delegation is organizing a conference that will bring together delegates from universities all over Ontario, professional journalists and professors who wish to exchange thoughts and learn about the rights and responsibilities of journalists in situations of conflict in developing countries from Friday, March 6 to Sunday, March 8, 2009 in Sudbury.
Rights & Democracy partner from Colombia Patricia Tobón to share her experience fighting for the rights of indigenous youth
Patricia Tobón, a young indigenous lawyer from Colombia will come to Canada for two Network events in early February, to share her experience working with indigenous, Afro-Colombian, and rural youth in her country, who have been faced with violence all of their lives. Her work focuses on providing new opportunities for these marginalized youth through a travelling inter-ethnic school which offers classes in communication, economics, art, and non-violence. During the Network’s Eastern Regional Event at Mount Allison University on Saturday, February 7, 2009, which focuses on the theme of war-affected youth, she will discuss her life and work within her conflicted country. She will also speak at an event organized by the Delegation at the University of Western Ontario and Huron College, to follow up a coffee house they held in December in solidarity with the indigenous Minga resistance in Colombia.
Last June, the Network, in collaboration with Rights & Democracy’s Indigenous Rights program, sent two Canadian delegates, Jean-Sébastien Marier from the Glendon College Delegation and Marjolaine Olwell from the UQAM Delegation, to a youth summit parallel to the General Assembly of the Organization of American States which was held in Medellin, Colombia (read more about their experiences in the Stories from the Field section of our website). While there they had the pleasure of meeting Patricia, who represents the youth committee of the Indigenous Organization of Colombia (ONIC). Patricia’s visit offers the opportunity to learn more about the challenges faced by marginalized Colombian youth, and what Canadian youth can do to show solidarity with them in their difficult struggle for human rights in their country.
Learn more about Rights & Democracy’s work!
Rights & Democracy’s Annual Report from last year, as well as our 20th Anniversary Brochure are now available. You can order some copies for your Delegation using the Network’s on-line promotional materials on-line form: http://www.dd-rd.net/cms/site/promo_form, or download them directly from the website:
- Supporting Human Rights and Democracy for 20 Years: Rights & Democracy’s 2007-2008 Annual Report: Download the PDF.
- Rights & Democracy’s 20th anniversary brochure: Download the PDF.
Delegations from coast to coast continue to launch Panties for Peace campaign on their campuses
Delegations at the University of Victoria, Vancouver Island University, UQAM, and Université Laval, are launching their Panties for Peace in Burma campaigns. They have invited Mika Lévesque, Rights & Democracy’s Asia Regional Officer, to speak about the human rights situation in Burma, her experiences working with human rights activists on the Thai-Burma border, and how we can pressure the current regime to respect the human rights of their citizens, by participating in the Panties for Peace campaign. Check out the Network’s on-line calendar on our front page to see when the events will be held.
The Ouaga-Moncton Caravan of Human Rights on the move!
By Sophie Rondeau, Network Coordinator
Last November, I got the chance to reconnect with a province I must admit I’m quite fond of — New Brunswick. Our inspired guide and artist, Paul Bossé, regaled us with stories of the highways’ rocky history and fishing tales, but it’s more than salmon and colourful history that draws me to this region. What stands out the most is the friendly nature of the people, known for their legendary hospitality. And as a francophone from Quebec, it’s always a delight to be able to speak French practically the whole time I’m there.
One early morning, in the midst of a Canadian winter, I found myself back in this beautiful Atlantic province to meet with students, not only from the Moncton University Delegation, but also with three representatives from the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso — among excellent company indeed.
As I mentioned in the previous issue of this newsletter, a group of students from New Brunswick and Burkina Fasco banded together to take their version of the human rights caravan on the road. They’re doing a tour of a dozen francophone secondary schools in the province to raise awareness on the issues and implications of international development. The goal of the caravan is to foster a sense of solidarity and global responsibility that will hopefully result in more active involvement in international development and social justice.
I managed to catch the last few moments of the Caravan in the huge amphitheatre at the Mathieu-Martin de Dieppe School, and was delighted to see how Roselyn took care of the crowds with such fiery spirit and how well Tyna connected with young people in their commitment to human rights. During the presentation at L’Assomption Secondary School in Rogersville, I could see firsthand Salifou’s aptitude as a facilitator and his mastery of the material. I was so impressed, even touched, to hear New Brunswick members Nicholas LeBlanc and Christophe Ingeri, talk about the Network and the institution so accurately and with such devotion.
The Caravan is a joint initiative, developed in conjunction with the International Relations Office at the Université de Moncton, Moncton Campus and the Rights & Democracy Network, carried out as part of the “Francophone Involvement in Internationalization” by the Université de Moncton, financed by CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency). During my brief stay, I had the opportunity to see Chedly Belkodja, Lissa McIntyre and Benoît Bourque in action — the hearts and souls behind the project, not to mention the brains and the brawn. I have many fond memories of this brief journey, somewhere along the way between Dieppe and Ouagadougou.
For more information about the Caravan, visit the University of Moncton’s website at: http://www.umoncton.ca/nouvelles/info.php?page=1&id=1745&campus_selection=all (article in French)
or contact me directly at: srondeau@dd-rd.ca.
Offer a workshop on the Millenium Development Goals on your campus!
Do you want to know more about what Canadian youth can do to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? Everything you need to give a workshop on this topic is now available to Network members. It’s called “Meeting Our Targets”, and it was developed by the 8 Goals Campaign, which is a coalition of Canadian organizations and student groups who are championing the Goals together calling for policies to achieve them. The workshop was designed for university students like you and offers a fantastic array of interactive activities that you can use to educate other students on campus about Canada’s role in achieving the MDGs. International Development Week, from February 1-7, 2009 would be an ideal time to offer this workshop to the members of your Delegation, and to other committed students on your campus. The workshop materials and handbook are available for download at: http://8goals.ca/site/targets/. If you would like a print copy of the handbook with the accompanying CD-ROM, contact Elana Wright at ewright@dd-rd.ca.
University of Manitoba Delegation discusses the new Cluster Munitions Treaty with the Canadian Red Cross’ Jennifer Montebruno
The University of Manitoba Delegation welcomed Network alumni Jennifer Montebruno from the Canadian Red Cross to speak on “Cluster munitions and the right to development: challenges and a call to action” as part of their Human Rights Over Coffee series on January 14, 2009. 
Over 20 students attended this event where Jennifer, who is the Network’s mentor for the western region, discussed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, and what can be done to ensure that this treaty is signed and adopted all over the world. This new Convention prohibits the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of cluster munitions, and also addresses assistance to victims, clearance of contaminated areas and the destruction of stockpiles.
My experience in Colombia
by Jean-Sébastien Marier, Glendon College Delegation
Jean-Sébastien Marier presents the first ever video version of a Story from the Field, about his experience at a youth summit held in parallel to the General Assembly of the Organization of American States which was held in Medellin, Colombia.
See all Stories from the field - >
Rights & Democracy welcomes adoption of an Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Montreal, December 10, 2008 - The UN General Assembly, on International Human Rights Day 2008, adopted a new procedure that will allow individuals to bring complaints of violations of their economic, social and cultural rights to a special monitoring body in Geneva. A similar procedure already exists for civil and political rights.
"Adoption of the optional protocol marks the end of a double-standard in human rights protection and the beginning of a new era in which all human rights have equal standing before the law," said Rémy M. Beauregard, President of Rights & Democracy. "Member states of the United Nations have now clearly indicated that individuals suffering deprivation of the human rights to work, to an adequate standard of living, to housing, to health, to food, to education and to social security may now claim those rights as inherent entitlements."
US Decision to close Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre Hailed by UN Rights Chief
United Nations News
New York, January 22, 2009
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has welcomed today’s decision by the new United States administration to close the detention facility in Guantánamo Bay, as well as the decision to ban methods of interrogation that contravene international law.
Navi Pillay also called for a review of the US approach to detaining individuals abroad, in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the practice of ‘rendition,’ in order to ensure conformity with international law.
“The fact that President [Barack] Obama has placed such a high priority on closing Guantánamo and set in motion a system to safeguard the fundamental rights of the detainees there is extremely encouraging,” she stated.
Read the article on the United Nations News website.
In the case of Israel v. Hamas, two wrongs don't make a right
By Michael Byers, The Globe and Mail
January 13, 2009
"Canada continues to fully support Israel's right to defend itself," junior foreign minister Peter Kent said after an Israeli air strike on a United Nations school in Gaza killed 42 Palestinians last week.
"Canada has to support the right of a democratic country to defend itself," said Liberal Party Leader Michael Ignatieff.
I agree. But I also agree with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who called the attack on the school "totally unacceptable." And I agree with Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who called for "credible, independent and transparent" investigations into possible war crimes. I can agree with all these comments because they concern different strands of international law.
Read the article on The Globe and Mail website
January 27: International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust
The United Nations designated 27 January - the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp - as an annual International Day of Commemoration to honour the victims of the Holocaust, and urged Member States to develop educational programmes to instil the memory of the tragedy in future generations to prevent genocide from occurring again, and requested the United Nations Secretary-General to establish an outreach programme on the "Holocaust and the United Nations", as well as measures to mobilize civil society for Holocaust remembrance and education, in order to help prevent future acts of genocide.
The Holocaust was a turning point in history, which prompted the world to say "never again". The significance of this UN resolution is that it calls for a remembrance of past crimes with an eye towards preventing them in the future.
http://www.un.org/holocaustremembrance/emainpage.shtml
March 8: International Women's Day
“Putting women and women’s rights to equality on the global agenda is the moving force behind International Women’s Day. The idea of a day for women, celebrated all over the world, began at the beginning of this century in America and Europe. The focus was the movement for women’s rights and achieving universal suffrage for women. (…) In December 1977 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace.”
http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/un_days/women1.asp
http://www.un.org/events/women/iwd/2008/
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.dd-rd.net/members/
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
The Network Team:
Coordinator: Sophie Rondeau
Liaison Officer: Elana Wright
Administrative Assistant: Diane Migneault
Webmaster: Sylvain Aubé
Rights & Democracy Network
1001, boul. de Maisonneuve E., Suite 1100
Montréal, Québec H2L 4P9 CANADA
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)
