UN-sponsored conference in Montreal highlights the power of human rights education

French

GENEVA / MONTREAL (28 November 2017) – Human rights educators from over 50 countries will meet in Montreal from November 30 to look at ways governments, civil society organizations, academia and international institutions can better respond to global challenges through human rights education.

Around 300 human rights education practitioners, scholars and defenders from all continents will take part in the International Conference on Human Rights Education “Bridging our Diversities” at Concordia University in Montreal from November 30 to December 3, 2017.

“Human rights education helps people know their rights – so they can better claim and defend them. And encourage them to stand up for the rights of others,” said Andrew Gilmour, the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights and a keynote speaker at the conference. “At a time of backlash against human rights, such education and knowledge are more important than ever.”

The conference is co-organized by Equitas–International Centre for Human Rights Education; the UN Human Rights Office; Concordia University; Université du Québec à Montréal; McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism and Western Sydney University (Australia).

Keynote plenaries and hands-on workshops will highlight human rights education practices addressing today's most pressing challenges worldwide such as countering extremist violence; ensuring inclusion of refugees and migrants; supporting human rights defenders; empowering women and girls; eliminating inequality and discrimination; and ensuring renewed relationships with Indigenous Peoples.

“The forum will showcase the many ways in which human rights education has a concrete impact in today's world and stays more relevant than ever," said Ian Hamilton, Equitas Executive Director. “Together with other NGOs, we have been advocating for education, understanding and inclusion as direct responses to social challenges and violent conflicts.”

ENDS

Learn more about the Conference #ICHRE2017 at http://ichre2017.equitas.org

For additional information, please contact Elena Ippoliti (eippoliti@ohchr.org  / Tel: +41 79 444 4702) or write to wphre@ohchr.org

For media inquiries related to the Conference, please contact Annie Billington, (abillington@equitas.org; Tel: +1 (514) 954-0382, ext. 247 / Cellphone: +1 514-625-3581) 

Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today. #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org