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Network Newsletter  Rights and Democracy Network Number 27 July 28, 2009 Newsletter Sections |
Democracy at work at the Network’s 2009 Annual Event last May
From April 30-May 3, fifteen representatives from Network Delegations across Canada met in Montreal for the Annual Network Event entitled “Celebrating our Successes, Building our Future: The Participation of Youth in Democratic Processes,”. The event allowed members and staff of the Network to celebrate what was achieved in the last year and build an even stronger Network for the years to come.
Highlights included networking with Rights & Democracy’s president and staff; discussions on what constitutes democracy with Rights & Democracy staff; a guided tour of Montreal by the urban education collective l’Autre Montréal on the history of social justice and democracy in Montreal; a cross-Canada picture of all of our Delegations’ activities this year; a strategic planning forum using an “open space” format; brainstorming on next year’s local, regional, and national events; and, of course, getting to know fellow Network delegates!
Save the dates: Rights & Democracy Network 2009 Retreat September 24-27, 2009
Representatives from each of our Delegations across Canada will be invited to the annual Rights & Democracy Network fall retreat from September 24 to 27, 2009, to be held once again at the Rights & Democracy offices, offering you a chance to really get to know what Rights & Democracy is all about.
You’ll meet some members of our staff, including Program Officers, Senior Thematic Advisors, Communications staff, as well as our Directors and our President, Mr. Rémy M. Beauregard.
We’ll offer an in-depth look at the work of Rights & Democracy, and how we work with our partners in developing countries towards the fulfillment of human rights and the implementation of truly democratic processes in their countries.
We’ll also offer workshops and presentations that will give you the tools you need to ensure that your Delegation thrives. The application form will be available soon on our website.
Equitas’ International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP): Creating human rights universality through education
By Hannah Watler, Vancouver Island University Delegation
This year was the 30th anniversary of the International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP), an annual world-recognized 3-week training session put on by Equitas (previously known as the International Centre for Human Rights Education) based in Montreal. The IHRTP is at the heart of activities organized by Equitas, and brings together approximately 120 participants from over 60 countries. This program truly provides a unique opportunity for human rights workers to deepen their understanding of human rights and of the essential role that human rights education has in effecting social change.
This year, myself and 2 other Rights and Democracy Network members were fortunate enough to be able to participate in this program with funding provided for us by Equitas and Rights and Democracy. For me, this training came at exactly the right time. I am a Global Studies major, and am venturing into my fourth year of studies. I’ve become familiar with complex global challenges and the policies that keep the problems cycling and expanding- the World Bank, the IMF, transnational corporations, the whole works. I am sure you can relate to the fact that this can become very overwhelming and daunting.
Halfway through the training, it struck me that there is reason for optimism. It was during an exercise where the 12 participants in my group had to create a skit together which depicted women’s rights that I was really blown away. I looked around me, and realized that every one of my classmates came from a different country: the Philippines, Ghana, Kenya, South Korea, China, South Africa, the United States, Georgia, Jordan, Palestine, Indonesia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Canada. I realized that all of our life experiences, cultures and traditions couldn’t be more diverse. However, I also realized that the situations in our communities, in our global village, had inextricably linked us in solidarity. It was then that I finally knew I was not alone. The IHRTP taught me that a human rights approach can be integrated into every aspect of life, and that a wave of human rights movements is occurring NOW, and is gaining momentum. People from all walks of life, regardless of the many things that were invented to divide as, are uniting to build a world where equality and non-discrimination is respected.
If you would like more info about this program, please visit the Equitas website: http://www.equitas.org/english/programs/IHRTP.php or write to me at hwatler@dd-rd.ca.
And, keep an eye open for our next issues, where other Network members will share their experience as participant to the IHRTP!
National Youth Consultative Committee: have your voice heard!
Hopefully by now you will have received a “heads up” email about the Network National Youth Consultative Committee (NYCC) and will be wondering what exactly it is, and how you can be involved. Glad you asked! Here is more info on this exciting project.
This committee is being formed in response to a few needs identified by Network staff and delegation members. At the last National Event in May a preliminary consultation was held with delegation members on what they saw as important themes in the Network and whether some form of permanent national youth representation (which does not exist at the moment) could strengthen what we do.
During the discussion, some key ideas emerged: the need to maintain the flexibility and support that makes the Network so unique; a framework to facilitate the bottom-up approach; and the desire for increased dialogue between the Network and the rest of Rights and Democracy, and between delegations themselves.
Network staff have also expressed a need for a mechanism to ensure that the Network is responsive to delegates’ needs; better collaboration between Rights and Democracy and the Network; and a structure to encourage the democratic, grassroots character of the organization.
To address these needs, the basic roles of the Network NYCC will be to:
-Support the work of the Network staff in setting the overall direction of the Network and act as a resource for them
-Foster and facilitate inter-delegation communication across the country
-Help strengthen the links between the Network and Rights and Democracy’s programs and staff.
This committee is still very much in the planning stages (in fact, this is about as far as we have gotten in terms of concrete plans), and as such, we would love to have your feedback to ensure it accurately reflects the spirit of the Network and its needs. If you could take a few minutes to jot down a few answers to these questions, your comments would be much appreciated. Answer as many questions as you wish; do not feel obliged to fill them all out if you feel some are not applicable to you.
To access the polls, please visit http://www.rightsdemocracy.net/cms/site/en/sondage2009.
The deadline for responses is midnight, August 2.
We are hoping to have this committee up and running in the coming year. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us – we would love to hear from you! Thanks, and have a wonderful summer!
Kelly O’Connor, Research and Project Development Agent
For the Rights and Democracy Network Team
514 283-6073 (toll free) 1 877 736-3833 // Kelly ext. 278
The Network team continues to be dynamic!
The Rights & Democracy Network team has continued to be dynamic with new horizons and new additions this summer. The Network’s webmaster, Sylvain Aubé, who had been keeping the Network’s website vibrant for over three years, moved on to a new opportunity in May at a Montreal arts and culture magazine, called Montreal Nightlife.
Sophie Rondeau, the Network’s Coordinator, will be leaving in August for a one-year maternity leave. While she’s away, the Network’s Liaison Officer, Elana Wright, will coordinate the Network. The new Liaison Officer who will join the team for the next year will be announced soon. One thing is certain: the Network team is committed to supporting you in your Delegation’s projects during these transitions.
A few words from the Network’s summer student team…
Hi! I’m Hannah Watler. I hope your summer is going superbly, and that you are saving some time for yourself to play in the sun! As one of the summer employees with the Rights and Democracy Network this summer, we will be focussing on planning the logistics of the Retreat in September, which I am sure some of you are looking really forward to.
I am going into the final year of my BA in Global Studies with a minor in Language and Culture at Vancouver Island University. I have been lucky enough to have travelled abroad with Youth Challenge International to Guyana, Grenada, and most recently to Ghana (see this issue’s Story from the Field). These experiences have pushed me to reassess many aspects in my life, have inspired me to create positive change within my own community, and have pushed me to get involved with various community/campus based organizations. I have been involved with the Network at VIU Delegation since 2006. My knowledge of human rights has expanded and transformed, and there is still so much to learn. For now, I will be working and learning here and am very grateful for this experience. Although I am not 100% sure what the future has in store, I know I will integrate a human rights approach wherever my path leads. J
Bonjour! My name is Olivia Kamgain and I am a student at the Université de Montréal doing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. I have always worked to build a world that is just and free of violence; part of my university studies includes an internship here at Rights & Democracy, giving me the opportunity to be active in this area.
In addition to my logistical tasks for the Network, I have been working on improving my knowledge of the existing legal instruments currently in use in the defence of human rights — I have never learned so much in such a short time! You will likely have the opportunity to read more about this in an article I will be writing at the end of my internship.
I am also working with the Coalition for Women’s Human Rights in Conflict Situations and will be accompanying a delegation of women from the Democratic Republic of Congo during their stay in Canada. In the meantime, I am continuing to gather any available information on women in conflict situations and the legal instruments in use and will be organizing a series of activities around the theme, “Gender and Armed Conflict,” to be held at the Université de Montréal in the fall. Improving my English is not a task outlined in my work plan, but I am making efforts to improve with the kind support of my dear colleagues Hannah and Kelly.
Hi everyone! My name is Kelly O’Connor and I am from Kelowna, BC. I go to university on the other side of the country, however, at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. I am going into my third year of International Relations with minors in Hispanic Studies and Biology. My work at the Rights and Democracy Network this summer is largely focussed on forming the National Advisory Youth Committee for the Network (there’s more information and a questionnaire about it in this newsletter!) so if you would like to drop me a line about that, or just chat, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I have been part of Mount Allison’s Rights and Democracy Delegation since 2007 and I have recently discovered feminism and the rights of women and girls in conflict situations as major interests. This winter I will be studying development at the Universidad de la Habana in Cuba on exchange, and I hope to improve my Spanish while I’m at it.
2009 Millennium Summit: When optimism comes up against political will
By Lmor Jop, Member of the UQAM Delegation
This year on May 1 and 2, Montréal hosted the Millennium Development Summit. The meeting was held over two days, with participants from the development community who are actively involved in the fight against poverty.
The Summit started off with an “Expert Forum,” bringing together key figures in the field to discuss issues related to development and the fight against poverty. In fact, we were honoured by the presence of such illustrious summit participants as Jeffery Sachs, Mia Farrow, and Mamadou Ndoye.
After an overview of global poverty, highlighting Africa in particular, and the outcome of activities carried out thus far as part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), experts attempted to find solutions to the various problems that prevent these goals from being realized. Despite the quality of activities implemented to date, several contradictions in the proposed solutions emerged. For example, one development expert suggested doubling agricultural production in developing countries in Sub-Saharan countries; despite the fact that several studies have shown that the production output is not really the problem. In fact, the quantity produced is quite sufficient, but real the issue at stake is access to the market and the flow of goods to the market.
The second day of the Summit was highlighted by the Youth Forum, which focused particularly on young people, but also targeted the general public. Young people from different groups such as the Club 2/3 brainstormed on ways and means to achieve the Millennium Goals as quickly as possible, since little progress has been made since their initial introduction in 2000.
If there was one issue that kept coming up throughout all the debates, in both the Expert and in the Youth Forum, it was the flagrant lack of political will on the part of world leaders in terms of realizing the MDGs. The panellists and development workers who do not really have the power to realize the goals, should put their heads together in a brainstorming activity, urging world political leaders to move from optimistic speeches to actually carrying out concrete actions to ensure that the MDGs will be achieved within the expected timeframe, or at the latest by 2015.
The Cost of Copper: Human Rights and Canadian Corporate Accountability
The Delegation at Huron College at the University of Western Ontario welcomed guest speakers Marcía Ramírez, a community activist from the Intag area of Ecuador and Carlos Zorrilla, member of DECOIN (Defensa y Conservacion Ecologica de Intag) to their campus in March. The two have been traveling to universities and colleges across Canada, speaking to staff and students about their experiences in the resistance movement against mining developments in Ecuador.
The speakers, a documentary film, and the discussion period provided critical insights from a ’peasant’ farmer perspective of the effects that mining and other global forces have upon their communities.
For more info on this event, and the Huron College Delegation’s other events on human rights in South America, visit: http://www.dd-rd.net/cms/spip.php?rubrique115.
Fair Trade Forum: Producers, Consumers, and Social Change
Of course, a rich variety of local and fair trade food products were served at this event, which highlighted the increasing availability of fair trade products, as well as what delicious foods are available locally in Saskatoon. For more information: Facebook event page, or email rightsdemocracy.uofs@gmail.com or stan.yu@usask.ca.
The University of Saskatchewan Delegation organized its second annual forum in April which explored fair trade and human rights, from both a global and local perspective. Addressing questions such as “Why fair trade? What are the goals of fair trade? What are the benefits of fair trade? and: How does fair trade relate to issues of human rights and development?”, speakers included St. Thomas More sociology professor Dr Darrell McLaughlin, Marla Carlson of the organic prairie farm co-op Farmer Direct, and Carole Samdup, Rights and Democracy’s Senior Economic and Social Rights Advisor.
Human rights advocacy through film:
the 5th Annual Vancouver Island University Rights and Democracy Student Film Award
Media is an important tool for human rights defenders, and the winner of this year’s award, knows this very well. Emily Harrison, BA student majoring in Global Studies and Geography, has realized the “role of civil society and alternative media in providing another voice”, and will definitely use the award to create a thought provoking film.
Emily is the recipient of this year’s Vancouver Island University Rights and Democracy Student Film Award; this award will allow her to produce a short documentary touching upon a human rights issue that directly speaks to her.
This year’s recipient has been a very active student and community member in Nanaimo, and has already gained some film-making skills. In 2005, she travelled with past Rights and Democracy Student Film Award winner, Alejandra Maldonado, to Paraguay. There, she helped capture footage, and edit Maldonado’s film, “When they Came” (10 min.). This film explores indigenous rights and the need for more land and resources in the Ayoreo community of Jesudi, Paraguay. Since 2005, Emily was the Associate Editor for the Navigator Newspaper, where she gained strong interview, story writing, and photography skills.
Emily’s film will focus on the subject of democracy, and delve into what it really means. To do so, it will compare the political systems of Canada and Cuba. Emily has strong ties to Cuba, as she spent last winter there participating in Canada World Youth. This experience enabled her to become familiar with Cuban politics, and way of life. Currently she is in Cuba where she is in touch with town officials, representatives, local journalists, and other community members who will put her film into reality. Emily explains that “Cubans participate directly in their democracy; citizenship is year-round, not a ballot that is cast every five years”. She insists, “this short film will reframe the debate on the Cuban system while critically analyzing our own system and prompting the audience to rethink what it is that makes us “free” and “democratic”. Emily describes that she has, “gained an appreciation for media as a means to get one’s ideas across to a broad audience”, and we have no doubt in our minds that she will do just that!
The Rights and Democracy Student Film Award is entering its fifth year and its third year in partnership with the Malaspina Media Studies department. This award is targeted specifically to Malaspina students, and is announced in correlation with Global Film Festival Nanaimo (a film festival focused on independent documentaries addressing international and local social/environmental issues). The selected student project is awarded $1000, plus access to a mentor and equipment to complete a 5 to 10 minute video incorporating one or more of the following themes: democratic development, women’s human rights, globalization and human rights and/or the rights of indigenous peoples. The purpose of the award is to provide funding and support for a student who is either a first time or emerging filmmaker to make a short video related to social justice. This year’s recipient has also received a scholarship to the Gulf Island Film and Television School on Galiano Island. Last year’s recipients, Chad Schroter-Gillespie and Nick Middleton, produced the film, ‘Be the Media: A local approach to establishing an alternative voice’, which explores independent media on Vancouver Island and debuted at this year’s Global Film Festival Nanaimo. With no doubt about it, the Rights and Democracy’s Student Film Award encourages students to explore solutions to social justice and human rights issues using the power of media.
For more info, visit: http://www.nanaimofilmfest.org/preaward.html.
Redefining Development: In Ghana, what can a month do?
By Hannah Watler, Vancouver Island University Delegation
A little over a year ago, I found myself looking out the window. The gray clouds hung low like smoke in the sky, hiding the landscape of mountains and ocean. The west coast rain fell in constant staccato, hypnotizing me as I sat in my Global Studies class at Vancouver Island University (VIU). A door clanking shut broke my diverted attention, and I was quickly pulled back into the classroom environment. We were discussing “international development in the third world”. Many questions popped into my mind. The terminology set off warning signals in my head. First, when using the term “development” I feel that I am perpetuating the notion that the majority of the world lacks civilization. I feel like I am placing the Western way of life on a pedestal that all nations of the world should be striving for. When the fact of the matter is, if everyone lived with such luxury, we would need multiple planet earths to sustain ourselves. Can’t I differentiate between countries in ways other than the ‘developed’ and ‘undeveloped’, or the “first world” and the “third world”? But what terminology is not ethnocentric? Perhaps “exploitative countries” and “exploited countries”, or the “greedy countries” and the “oppressed countries”. Nope, I realized this was too negative. I wanted to create some positivity to shed some new light on this situation. So, back to the drawing board…
Read all Stories from the Field...
Rights & Democracy urges restraint and respect for human rights in Xinjiang
MONTREAL – July 9, 2009 – The government of China’s response to unrest in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region must be exercised with restraint and comply with international human rights law, says Rights & Democracy.
Rights & Democracy is deeply concerned by the violence that has engulfed the region’s capital city, Urumqi, in recent days. It is estimated that at least 150 people are dead and more than 800 injured. Hundreds more demonstrators have been arbitrarily detained. There have also been reports that authorities have blocked internet and cell phone access.
“People in China have the right to freely and peacefully express their opinions without interference from government,” said Rémy M. Beauregard, President of Rights & Democracy. “The government of China must respect the rule of law and provide assurances that detainees will have access to due process in accordance with Chinese national law and international human rights norms.”
This week’s unrest in Xinjiang is the latest example of long-standing tensions between the region’s minority Uighur population and Han Chinese migrants. Several international human rights organizations have reported systematic discrimination against the Uighur community in China including severe restrictions on use of their language and the practice of their cultural traditions and Muslim faith.
Terrorism kills more Afghan civilians than any military action – UN mission
13 July 2009 – The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has spoken out against the use of suicide bombings and other terrorist activities, which it says kills more civilians than any other military action.
The reaction came after last Thursday’s bomb blast in Logar province which killed more than 20 people, including children on their way to school. UNAMA condemned the “barbaric” attack, the latest in a string of violence targeted at aid organizations.
“The United Nations in Afghanistan has long made clear its deep concern about the use of suicide bombs and terrorist acts in populated areas,” Nazifullah Salarzai, a spokesperson for the Mission told a news conference in Kabul today.
August 9, 2009
International Day of the World’s Indigenous people
This International Day is the result of a decision made by the General assembly of the United Nations in 1994. This day commemorates the first meeting between the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations and the Sub commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.
http://www.un.org/events/indigenous/2007/index.shtml
August 12, 2009
International Youth Day
This day encourages youth contribution in the decision making process on themes that concern them and aims to raise awareness on youth issues. This year’s theme is “Youth and Climate change: time for action”.
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unyin/iyouthday.htm
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
Le Forum en ligne du Réseau sert notamment à afficher des offres d’emplois et de stages au Canada et dans le monde. Pour accéder au forum, vous devez être membre du Réseau Droits et Démocratie.
Devenez membre en vous rendant à la page suivante : http://www.dd-rd.net/membres/
Si vous êtes déjà membre, visitez la section emplois et stages du Réseau en cliquant ici : http://www.droitsdemocratie.net/network-forum/index.php?login_lang=french.
Network News is a newsletter published by the Rights & Democracy Network.
We welcome your feedback on our stories. Send your letters to the editor by e-mail to network@dd-rd.ca.
The Network Team:
Coordinator: Sophie Rondeau
Liaison Officer: Elana Wright
Administrative Assistant: Diane Migneault
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)
