Home / Conference - International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2008

Conference - International Human Rights Day, December 10, 2008

Into the Future

a one day public conference to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
 
Wednesday December 10, 2008 (International Human Rights Day)
Hotel Fort Garry – 222 Broadway
 
 
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
 
  • Opening Keynote Address – “Human Rights – Our Past, Our Future”
    • Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, Chancellor and Vice President of the University of Winnipeg
 
  • Keynote Response
    • Aaron Berg, Manitoba’s official representative on the Federal Provincial Territorial Continuing Committee on Human Rights
    • Celeste McKay – Native Women’s Association of Canada, International Human Rights Consultant
  • Keynote Address – “The Next Generation of Human Rights”
    • Michelle Berg, International Human Rights Worker and Director of Programming for War Child Canada
 
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
 
  • Lunch Service
 
 
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.
 
·         Greetings from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights – “The Future of Indigenous Rights in Canada and Internationally”
o        Regional Chief Wilton Little Child
 
 
  • Concurrent Workshop Sessions
 
Session A1 - Indigenous Perspectives - Our nations, our environments, our rights
      • Moderator – Jerry Woods – Chairperson of the Manitoba Human Rights Commission
        • Panelists:
          • Paul Chartrand – Director of the Aboriginal Governance Program, University of Winnipeg
          • Wanda Wuttanee – Department Head, Native Studies, University of Manitoba
 
How are human rights concepts understood and experienced among Aboriginal peoples in Canada, and what challenges and opportunities do they foresee for the future? Canada's history has been checkered by human rights infringements on Indigenous peoples and most would argue that systemic human rights problems continue today. Our panelists are asked to consider a future perspective, and to discuss what human rights issues they see as most problematic, and most compelling, for present and future generations. What are the most promising avenues that could lead to true reconciliation of the human rights issues facing First Peoples in Canada?   If they could give one piece of advice to human rights advocates generally, what would it be?
 
Session A2 - The Technology Gap; the impact of technology and the changing environment on people with disabilities
 
      • Moderator – Laurie Beachell - National Coordinator, Council of Canadians with Disabilities
        • Panelists:
          • Brian Everton, Ross Eadie, Laurie Helgason
 
The vast majority of complaints with human rights commissions are filed on the basis of disability. With the advancement of new technologies and the changing environment, new barriers are being created that continue to exclude persons with disabilities. This session includes personal stories of people who have experienced new barriers as a result of changes in technology. Do cell phones, blackberries, and touch screens exclude people with disabilities or can new technologies benefit everyone?
 
Session A3 - Social and Economic Rights – a woman’s perspective
 
      • Moderator – Wayne Helgason – Executive Director – Social Planning Council of Winnipeg
        • Panelists:
          • Muriel Smith -former Deputy Premier of Manitoba, recipient of the 2007 Governor General's Award in Commemoration of the Person's Case.
 
Poverty can affect anyone. The situation of having limited opportunities or being marginalized is not unique to women, but domestically and internationally, the statistics show that women bear a disproportionate burden of poverty and disadvantage. This in turn can affect other factors such as access to education, basic health, and exposure to violence. Our panelists are asked to share their personal reflections on Canada's international commitments relating to social and economic condition, and then to provide a perspective on what future challenges and opportunities lie before us in living up to the principles that "all human beings are equal in dignity and in rights..”
 
  • Nutrition Break
 
Session B1 (repeat of A1) - Indigenous Perspectives
Session B2 (repeat of A2) - The Technology Gap
Session B3 (repeat of A3) - Social and Economic Rights
 
 
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
 
  • Awards Dinner – Profiling and celebrating the 2008 Recipients of the Human Rights Commitment Award of Manitoba and the Sybil Shack Human Rights Youth Award.
To register follow the link to secure online registration. 

 

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