Network Newsletter Rights & Democracy Network Issue 1 January 17th, 2006

NEWS FROM THE NETWORK

Twinned Delegations from Ouagadougou and Moncton observe national elections in both Burkina Faso and Canada

Students from the Delegation of the Université de Moncton were in Burkina Faso in November to observe the Burkinese presidential elections, as part of the Network’s first international twinning project. The Canadian students were twinned with student members of the Rights & Democracy (R&D) Delegation at the University of Ouagadougou in the Burkinese capital.

Several students from the University of Ouagadougou Delegation are visiting Canada this month to observe our own national elections to be held on January 23rd.

Network Regional Event to explore human rights and the Francophonie

The R&D Delegation of the College universitaire de Saint-Boniface in Manitoba will host a Network Regional Event on February 3 & 4, 2006. Students and representatives from several francophone institutions will come together to discuss opportunities for youth to advance human rights in the Francophonie. Presenters include students from the Delegations at the University of Moncton and the College universitaire de Saint-Boniface.

DELEGATION NEWS

The University of Alberta Delegation to host International Week event on the human right to water

Water has become a precious commodity in the first world, and even more so in developing nations. In our own backyard, we are seeing the paralyzing effects of a lack of this basic necessity. This session, hosted by the University of Alberta R & D Delegation on Wednesday, February 1st, as part of their university’s International Week 2006, will allow for discussion of solutions for addressing the issue of water as a fundamental human right.

For more info, visit: http://www.international.ualberta.ca/uploadedFiles/Global_Education/IWeek2006Program.pdf

RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY NEWS

Rights & Democracy at the WTO in Hong Kong

Rights & Democracy was at the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong to promote human rights as the best framework for trade policy and civil society advocacy. The Human Rights Caucus, of which Rights & Democracy is a member, issued a statement on International Human Rights Day, to remind governments that human rights obligations cannot be abandoned at the WTO door.

To read the statement, click here:
http://www.dd-rd.ca/english/commdoc/publications/globalization/wto/
FINAL_WTO_HR_Caucus_Statement_English.pdf

For a complete list of Rights & Democracy events during the WTO conference in Hong Kong, click here :
http://www.dd-rd.ca/site/what_we_do/index.php?subsection=projects&lang=en&id=1478

HUMAN RIGHTS NEWS

UN refugee agency signs first accord paving way for returns to South Sudan

January 13th – In an important milestone, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has signed the first in a series of expected tripartite agreements that will clear the way for up to 70,000 refugees to return to South Sudan in the first half of this year.

 

Source:
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=17151&Cr=Sudan&Cr1=

INTERNATIONAL DAYS & YEARS

2006: International Year of Deserts and Desertification

Desertification is a major threat to humanity, compounded by both climate change and loss of biological diversity. Land degradation affects one third of the planet's land surface and around one billion people in over a hundred countries.

While fully addressing the growing threat that desertification represents for mankind, the year also seeks to celebrate the unique ecosystem and cultural diversity of deserts worldwide, therefore establishing a clear difference between the need to protect deserts as unique natural habitat and the fight against desertification as a global sustainable development challenge.

For more information, visit: http://www.iydd.org/.

CONTEST : NAME THE NETWORK NEWSLETTER!

We are looking for a name for the all-new Rights & Democracy Network newsletter. Send your ideas, in French and/or in English, to network@dd-rd.ca. The winner will receive a Rights & Democracy Network toque and t-shirt.

JOBS & INTERNSHIPS

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 throughout the academic year by the Rights & Democracy Network.

The Network Team:
Coordinator: Cynthia Gervais
Liaison Officer: Elana Wright
Webmaster: Sylvain Aubé
Administrative Assistant: Diane Migneault

Rights & Democracy Network
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Montréal, Québec H2L 4P9 CANADA
Phone: (514) 283-6073 #259
Toll-free: 1-877-736-3833
Fax: (514) 283-3792
network@dd-rd.ca
www.rightsdemocracy.net

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