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Network Newsletter  Rights and Democracy Network Number 28 September 25, 2009 Newsletter Sections |
The Rights & Democracy Network Fall Retreat
The Rights & Democracy Network is organizing a retreat in Montreal from September 24 to 27, 2009. The retreat allows our active members and new members from across Canada to meet each other, share information and ideas, and learn more about Rights & Democracy and the Network. The deadline for submitting applications has passed; however, if you would like to know who attended from your university so that you can contact this delegation member and start working on a Network delegation project on your campus, please contact Nelly Desrosiers, liaison officer, by email at ndesrosiers@dd-rd.ca or toll-free at 1-877 736-3833, ext. 245.
The Network team has changed!
Sophie Rondeau has begun her maternity leave, and she has left the Network in good hands: Nelly Desrosiers was selected to be the Network's liaison officer. Elana will coordinate the Network this year while Sophie is away.
Nelly has a bachelor's degree in translation (French-English-Spanish) and a Master's degree in International Development from Carleton University. She then worked at CARE Canada, which brought her to Kenya and Rwanda where, among other things, she developed a tool on youth participation in community development projects, and planned and facilitated an international workshop. Once back in Canada, she collaborated on a TakingItGlobal project and coordinated the Canadian “8 Goals for a Better World” Campaign on the Millennium Development Goals in collaboration with the UNDP (and based at Rights & Democracy). Before her recent maternity leave, Nelly worked at the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, where she initiated a peacekeeping training program for African police officers. You can reach Nelly by email at ndesrosiers@dd-rd.ca or by phone at (514) 283-6073, or toll-free at 1-877 736-3833, ext. 245.
Staying in touch: Updating the Network Database Have you moved? Studying at a new university? Have you graduated?
It is now possible to update your personal profile on the Network’s website by using the Modification form, in the Member's Section: http://www.rightsdemocracy.net/en/formulaire_inscription/modif.php.
To get started, you will need your user name, as used on the Forum, as well as your original password, consisting of 7 digits. Please contact the webmaster (webnet@dd-rd.ca) if you need assistance.
Connect to your profile in two easy steps:
- In the Member's Section of the website (http://www.rightsdemocracy.net/en/formulaire_inscription/modif.php):
- Enter your user name. (You can change the selected language if you wish)
- Click on the 'Submit' button. If you are not automatically redirected, click on the link that will appear.
- In the modification form:
- Re-enter your user name, as well as your 7-digit password. (Contact us immediately if you have any difficulty accessing your account.)
- Update your data.
- New! You can now select information that will later appear in your personal profile, including the human rights issues that you are passionate about. Click on the issues you would like to see appear in your public profile. (Optional)
- If you have graduated, and if you don't want to put an end to your membership with the Network, please change your status from 'Student' to Young Professional.
- Don't forget to click the Submit button, when you are done.
Young Women's Rights Defenders from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Canada
By Olivia Kamgain, Network intern— summer 2009
From July 27 to August 5, Rights & Democracy hosted three partners from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Mamitchou Lukumbuka and Jeanne Yeka are involved in SOFEPADI, a women’s solidarity group working for peace and development, and Claudine Tsongo Mbalamya is the coordinator of DFJ, an association of women lawyers. In partnership with Rights & Democracy, they work for the protection and promotion of women's and children's rights in the eastern DRC. The main focus of their activities is battling impunity by working to ensure justice for the survivors of sexual violence.
During their stay in Canada, these ardent activists shared their experiences with people from the Rights & Democracy office in Montréal. From July 30 to August 2, they participated in the Global Youth Assembly in Edmonton, where they met with the Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean, then with young people at a workshop to discuss the situation of women in the conflict in DRC.
Follow Rights & Democracy on Facebook and Twitter!
Rights & Democracy has joined the social networking revolution and is now on Facebook and Twitter! Stay up-to-date on our activities and updates by joining the Facebook group or by following the tweets!
Rights & Democracy on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=100789240702&ref=ts
Rights & Democracy on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/rightsdemocracy
And, if you’re not already a member of the Network’s group on Facebook, join now:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=27173559039
Youth From Across Canada and Around the World Ignited Change at the Global Youth Assembly
The Network partnered with the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights for the second time to support the Global Youth Assembly which was held in Edmonton from July 30 to August 2, 2009.
The Network was very well-represented with over a dozen participants representing the Network. Our members presented workshops on sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, migration law, and of course the Panties for Peace in Burma campaign, which was also profiled in a sweatshop fashion show, and featured a talk by Mika Lévesque, Rights & Democracy’s Burma expert.
The 3rd Global Youth Assembly will be held in the summer of 2011 when it will move to Winnipeg. The Network will be sure to continue its commitment to this exciting global human rights conference for youth.
A New Year for your Delegation: How to Ensure your Success Time for Recruitment and Elections: Submit your Order Form Now!
With the school year beginning, now is the time to plan your recruitment strategy and elections for this year. Inspire other students at your university to join you in promoting human rights and democracy internationally by ensuring they hear about your delegation and its activities. Then, you’ll be sure to have a strong and vibrant executive for your delegation when you hold your elections.
To help you with recruitment, the Network has flyers, stickers, bookmarks, and posters. As well, we can also send you Rights and Democracy’s Annual Report, which describes all of our work in the last year, and the latest issue of the Libertas newsletter. Fill out the new Network promotional materials order form available through the Resources section, and we’ll send you your materials right away!
The Delegation Handbook, 2009 edition
To help you start a new delegation, or to keep yours thriving, the Network is proud to offer you a brand new Delegation Handbook with a new format and new content. This new, sleeker 2009 edition includes a new section on developing your projects, written by Hannah Watler of the Network Delegation at the Vancouver Island University. The Handbook will be launched at the Fall Retreat which will take place in Montreal from September 24 to 27, 2009. During this event, we will give enough copies of the Handbook for each of the active members of your delegation. And not only that, but the Handbook and the delegation tools will also be available on-line, after the Retreat, for consultation or download.
Three Cheers for the International Human Rights Training Program!
By Amine Boumadhi, overseas member (Morocco) of the Rights & Democracy Network
Much like Hannah, who wrote about the subject in the last issue of the Network's newsletter, I wanted to give my impressions of the International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP), which took place in Montréal from June 14 to July 4, 2009.
I was able to participate in the training session thanks to the support of Rights & Democracy and Equitas. The IHRTP gave me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of human rights and, above all, to familiarize myself with less conventional teaching techniques, giving me an even better perception of human rights—although I already hold a master’s degree in human rights and fundamental freedoms!
By "less conventional techniques" I mean the participative approach that is at the heart of the Equitas program. Unlike traditional methodology in which the teacher or leader is the focal point, which limits exchanges and interactivity, the Equitas approach is to reduce that role to one of facilitator. Through both playful and constructive activities, we were able to expand our knowledge and to bring forth useful information ourselves.
The IHRTP lets participants from many nationalities discover new horizons, other cultures and other people. We discussed our resemblances, our fears, our points of view and all the qualities that make us human beings.
A Tanzanian Struggle or a Universal Struggle?
By Fernando Polanco, member of the Rights & Democracy Network Delegation at the Vancouver Island University
I recently returned from a two-month placement in Tanzania where I worked with a
NGO called Youth Challenge International (YCI). In Tanzania, where I ate, slept, and lived with a family of eight. I had the chance to create more positive space, and I grew as a person. I also learned a lot about myself, Tanzanian culture, and what is most important in my life.
When we think of Tanzania and Africa many things can come to mind: orphans,
poorest of the world, bare-living, etc. But to me they now mean much more than that. Listening carefully to others enabled me to relate their struggles to mine. People’s stories made me understand that at the end of the day, it all boils down to human rights. What I mean is that the struggle with everyday life in Tanzania can be similar to that of peoples in Guatemala, Macedonia, Siberia or even Canada when human rights are violated.
I am not African, nor have I traveled to every country in the world; nevertheless, I believe that we can relate to other peoples’ struggles no matter what country we are from, how much money we have, or what language we speak. Human rights are for all, and all have stories to share about them –whether they have realized human rights or been deprived of them.
In solidarity,
Fernando Polanco
Rights & Democracy in Haiti
Since the fall of the Duvaliers in 1986, Haiti’s transition towards democracy has been difficult. The country is now the poorest country in the western hemisphere. It is plagued by corruption, narcotrafficking, latent insecurity and erosion of resources, but hope exists that democracy can be consolidated and human rights respected.
Lauren Ravon, regional officer for the Americas at Rights & Democracy, is certainly full of hope. Since 2008, Lauren has been working with Haitian partners on a four-year programme, Strengthening democratic governance and promoting human rights in Haiti. This programme provides training on advocacy techniques and offers technical and financial support to Haitian civil society organizations that run advocacy campaigns on important issues for human rights and democratic development in the country: women’s rights, prisoners’ rights, right to identity, right to food, and youth engagement in democratic development.
For more information on Rights & Democracy's involvement in Haiti - and Lauren’s work - visit the Haiti webpage at http://www.dd-rd.ca/haiti. If your delegation would like to develop a project on Haiti this year, contact the Network team so that we and Lauren can give you a hand!
Colombia: Investigate Massacre in Southern Region
Possible Army Involvement and Effort to Eliminate Witnesses in Killings of 12 Indigenous People
August, 27 2009
(Washington, DC) - The Colombian government should ensure a prompt, independent, and thorough investigation of the killings of 12 members of the Awá indigenous community, and take immediate measures to protect the community, Human Rights Watch said today… (click on the title to read the rest of this news item).
Source: Human Rights Watch
SADC: Press Zimbabwe to Implement Rights Reforms
Southern African Leaders Should Urge End to Politically Motivated Abuses
August 31, 2009
(Johannesburg) - Southern African leaders should press Zimbabwe's power-sharing government to end ongoing human rights violations and to implement legal reforms, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Heads of state from members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are holding a summit meeting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on September 7 and 8, 2009… (click on the title to read the rest of this news item).
Source: Human Rights Watch
October 24: United Nations Day
The United Nations day marks the creation of the United Nations Organization on October 24th 1945. This day gives the opportunity to make UN achievements known to people.
http://www.unac.org/en/news_events/un_days/un_day1.asp
November 20: Universal Children's Day
The date 20 November, marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.
http://www.un.org/depts/dhl/children_day/index.html
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
Reader feedback
We welcome your feedback on our stories. Articles on your experiences related to human rights and democratic development in developing countries are also truly appreciated. Send your comments and articles to the editor by email to network@dd-rd.ca (please write “For Network Newsletter” in the subject field).
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: Elana Wright (interim)
Liaison Officer: Nelly Desrosiers (interim)
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)
