Commons Governance Work Group

RATIONALE

“ Young friends all over the world, you are the ones who must  realize these rights, now and for all time. Their fate and future is in your hands”

 – Dr. Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary General and Nobel Laureate.

Sixty years ago, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the equal and inalienable rights accorded to every human being by adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  This timeless Document which sets the foundations and parameters of human rights, calls upon every individual and every institution of society to strive, by teaching and education, to promote respect for human rights and to secure their universal and effective recognition and implementation.

The proclamation accentuates the resolve of nations to ensure the long-term prevention of human rights abuses, poverty, social exclusion as well as promotion of peace, equality, stability and sustainable development.

Sadly only a small percentage of the population worldwide know of its existence.  The consequences are grave and growing worse each day. Today the UN reports that more than a billion people are without clean water, most of the 25 million who have HIV/AIDS in Africa have no access to health-care and 121 million children are denied a basic education. With political expediency fueling complex issues, growing incidences of organized crime and armed conflicts are threatening security on the globe. Viewing these statistics, who could disagree that actions must be taken now to make human rights known, understood and most importantly, put into practice.

 We feel it is crucial to our continent’s future especially as the UDHR is 60 years on, to comprehensively develop the capacities of our young ones tailored towards learning respect for the dignity of others and the means and methods of ensuring that respect in all societies. With this aim in mind and on the strength of the above statement by Dr. Kofi Annan, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) hereby proposes an international conference titled: 60 Years On; THE FATE AND FUTURE OF HUMAN RIGHTS.

1.1   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EVENT

·       To review the level of compliance with the UDHR on the continent;

·       To inspire participants to work together to make human rights education a curriculum of every child's schooling.

·       To raise awareness and inspire participants with the values and principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

1.2   EXPECTED OUTCOME

·       Better appreciation of education in building a global culture of respect for human rights and by so doing, create a true human rights renaissance.

·       Better informed and inspired participants desiring to use knowledge of human rights to cultivate attitudes and values supportive of human rights.

·       Increased network among participants and foremost Human Rights Experts.

1.3   EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS

Top-level Government Officials, Policymakers, Academia, Community Leaders, Politicians, Human Rights Advocates, Representatives of International Bodies, NGOs, Religious/Youth Organizations and The Media.

1.4   Discussion will centre on but not limited to promising approaches in addressing the challenges posed by;

Corruption

Poor Leadership

Human Trafficking

Illiteracy

Unemployment

Arms/Armed Conflict

Substance Abuse

Ineffective Legal System

Poverty

Diseases

Climate Change

1.5   Proposed Date: 6 - 7 August, 2009

1.6   Proposed Venue: International Conference Centre , Abuja , Nigeria .

Event Secretariat:

C/o Education Resource Centre,

#1 Harper Street, Zone 7, Wuse,   Abuja .

Tel: 0803 692 6850, 0806 330 6348, 0802 304 5799

Email: yhri_nigeria@yahoo.com