Alberta Human Rights Information Service December 5, 2007

In this issue:

Commission news

Human rights and diversity news from Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture

Other human rights and diversity news:
Alberta news
Canadian news
International news
Related publications

Notice to subscribers

Commission news

  1. December 10 is International Human Rights Day:

    December 10, 1948 was the day on which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed by member nations of the United Nations. A Canadian, John Humphrey, was the primary author of the Declaration. The members of the UN hoped that the horrors of the recently ended war could be avoided if a universal code of human rights governed the behaviour of individuals and countries.

    Read the Government of Alberta information bulletin for further information about Human Rights Day.

    Human Rights Day events:

    The Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership, the Calgary Centre for Culture, Equity and Diversity (formerly the Committee on Race Relations and Cross Cultural Understanding), and the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre (ACLRC) are organizing a panel discussion for International Human Rights Day on Wednesday, December 5th from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Rosza Centre, Husky Great Hall, University of Calgary. The topic of the panel discussion is Canada did not Sign the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  The Commission will deliver greetings during the ACLRC annual general meeting and Civil Liberties Awards Ceremony, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  

    The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights will commemorate the anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Heritage Room, Edmonton City Hall on December 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Those who attend will have a chance to participate in an important discussion on the challenges and opportunities of ethnic diversity in Canada.  A discussion paper will be circulated to confirmed participants in advance.  

    The Association Francophone de Brooks is hosting a bilingual youth human rights workshop on December 9 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and a film (English) at 5:00 p.m. at Elks Hall, 203 - 3rd Street W, Brooks. For further information contact the association at (403) 362-0405.

  2. Human rights in the workplace customized educational workshops:
     
    The Commission offers human rights in the workplace customized educational workshops to businesses and organizations.  The workshops can be tailored to suit individual needs and schedules. Learn more about the workshops.
     
  3. Chief Commissioner competition extended to December 14, 2007:

    Charlach Mackintosh, Chief Commissioner of the Commission, has announced his retirement effective April 1, 2008.  The Government of Alberta has commenced recruitment for the new Chief Commissioner.  The original closing date for the competition was December 7, 2007.  The closing date has been extended to December 14, 2007.  For details, see advertisement and job profile posted online.
     
  4. The Commission has recently updated its website with the following panel decisions, including a preliminary decision about a severance agreement:

    Darren Lund v. Stephen Boissoin AND The Concerned Christian Coalition Inc.
    (November 30, 2007; Lori G. Andreachuk, Q.C., Panel Chair)

    Brad McMow v. Coverall Pipeline Construction Ltd.  (Severance Agreement, November 20, 2007; Brenda Chomey, Panel Chair)
     
  5. Commission website offers new publications and resources order form: 

    A new publications and resources order form in PDF format is now available on the Commission website. It links to all of the publications and resources, and the order form can be e-mailed directly or printed and mailed.

 

PLEASE NOTE: In the following sections of the newsletter, we publish news and information provided by other organizations. We also link to other websites related to human rights and diversity. The Commission provides this information as a service and is not responsible for the content provided by other organizations on their websites or by other means. Please direct comments or inquiries regarding these organizations or their websites to the organization in question.

Human rights and diversity news from Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture

  1. International Day for Tolerance:

    November 16 was the International Day for Tolerance. The United Nations encouraged all to move beyond tolerance to the acceptance of others' differences. Read more.

    See the list of significant days on the Help Make a Difference website.
     

  2. The Human Rights,  Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund:

                                  

    The HRCM Education Fund provides financial assistance to community organizations that are undertaking human rights and diversity initiatives that lead to change. 

    Recent projects completed:
     
    • With funding from the HRCM Education Fund, the Alberta Hate and Bias Crime and Incidents Committee, of which the Commission was a member, through the Calgary Police Service, conducted research to determine the status of hate and bias crimes within Alberta. Read about the project. The follow-up report, Combating Hate and Bias Crime and Incidents in Alberta: Current responses and recommendations for the future (July 2007), recommends that several Government of Alberta ministries form a strategic alliance to develop a provincial hate crime strategy. The release of the report will take place simultaneously in Edmonton and Calgary on December 6, the National  Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Alberta human rights chief commissioner, Charlach Mackintosh, will be speaking at the Edmonton report release, to be held at the Faculty  St. Jean, Room 304, Lacerte Pavilion, 8406 Rue Marie-Anne Gaboury (91 Street), University of Alberta. Commissioner Diane Colley-Urquart will be speaking at the Calgary report release, to be held at be The United Way of Calgary, Kahanoff Centre, Suite 600, 1202 Centre Street SE. The report will be available on this website after December 6.
       
    • With support from the HRCM Education Fund, the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies carried out a needs assessment to identify the type and kind of information immigrants require concerning their rights and responsibilities under the Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act. The final report, entitled Human Rights Education Needs of Immigrants & Refugees In Alberta, also includes ideas about appropriate delivery mechanisms and methods.
       
    • The City of Calgary Emergency Medical Services (EMS) received a grant from the HRCM Education Fund to work with the ethnocultural community to identify their needs, learn about their level of understanding and perceptions of EMS in Calgary, and the barriers that limit access to the services provided by EMS. From the findings of this needs assessment, EMS and its regional partners will develop ethnocultural educational strategies that will build community relationships, establish mechanisms for better access to services and develop a diversity education curriculum for EMS practitioners.
       
    • With funding from the HRCM Education Fund, the City of Calgary, on behalf of the Human Rights Domain of the Calgary Urban Aboriginal Initiative, received a grant to deliver educational sessions to community members and agencies serving Aboriginal peoples. These sessions focused on the role and mandate of the Commission, human rights, and treaty and constitutional rights. Community consultations also took place to ascertain the level and type of community support required to assist urban Aboriginal Calgarians to understand and participate in the human rights process. A feasibility study and action plan entitled Aboriginal Ombudsman (Advocate) Development Research Project Phase II was the result of the consultation.
       
    • The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights has completed two projects with support from the HRCM Education Fund. The first project's goal was to build capacity within the teaching profession to understand and teach human rights more effectively to students and to encourage students to actively engage in protecting human rights for themselves and their peers. Workshops and learning opportunities for teachers and students were offered and a teaching resource entitled Building Human Rights Communities was developed to build human rights communities by fostering human rights education among students in grades 9 and 10. By focusing on human rights as part of a citizenship and globalization course in school, the resource will help in building the next generation of active and engaged citizens. Alberta Education has approved this resource. It  is available for purchase on a cost-recovery basis. Contact info@jhcentre.org for more information.

      The second project completed by the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights received funding to support a conference called Building World Peace: The Role of Religions and Human Rights, held in October 2006. Those attending the event explored the role of religion as an instrument of peace and non-violence. The gathering provided an opportunity for discussion around the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and local human rights legislation and instruments that can foster peace and harmony among religions. It also included ways to achieve cross-cultural and interfaith understanding through dialogue and reconciliation. The proceedings of this event can be viewed in the Now We Must Change report.
       
    • The Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women (IAAW) received funding for research to identify systemic and perceived barriers which prevent women from seeking protection under the law. The Crimes Against Aboriginal Women Project report includes the causes and effects of the violence that target Aboriginal women, outlines realistic crime-prevention strategies and policy recommendations to law enforcement officials, and outlines best policing practices to protect Aboriginal women. 
       
    • Using participatory performing arts-based community engagement practices, Stage Left Productions Theatre Association trained youth as facilitators in human rights, diversity and an anti-bias education model. Interactive plays depicting instances of bias, hate and discrimination were delivered, actively engaging audience participation in critical discussion about these behaviors and responses to it. A Safe Spaces manual and a LGBTQ Youth Education for Change manual were developed.

    Read about other projects that the HRCM Education Fund has funded.
     

  3. Human rights and multiculturalism award:

    Students pursuing graduate studies in Canadian human rights or multiculturalism are invited to apply for the Alberta Award for the Study of Canadian Human Rights and Multiculturalism. This award was established by the Minister of Community Development (now the Minister of Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture) in recognition of Alberta's centennial and the contributions and experiences of our diverse population. The award is made possible through the Human Rights, Citizenship, and Multiculturalism Education Fund. One award of $10,000 will be made. The deadline for application is February 1. Download the application form and read about past scholarship recipients.

Other human rights and diversity news

Alberta news

  1. New web portal for immigrants:

    The provincial government has launched a new on-line immigration web portal intended to attract new immigrants to Alberta and help new arrivals make a smoother transition to their new home. It is a one-stop destination for information on opportunities in Alberta, the immigration process, and getting settled in Alberta. Read the news release.
     
  2. Inclusion Awards:

    Individuals and organizations that promoted the full participation of people with developmental disabilities in Alberta's communities were celebrated at the sixth annual Norm McLeod Community Inclusion Awards in Calgary on October 19. The awards are sponsored by the ministry of Seniors and Community Supports responsible for the Persons with Developmental Disabilities program. Read the news release and list of nominees.
     
  3. Multi-media resource kit for high school students with disabilities:

    A multi-media resource kit is available to help high school students with disabilities map out their education and training strategies. The kit features an 80-page guide and a 15-minute DVD with inspiring stories of five Albertan students with permanent disabilities who have made successful transitions to post-secondary studies. The kit also includes a PowerPoint presentation for counselors and community agencies, and a step-by-step workshop for parents to help guide their children in their planning for college or university enrollment. The kit was released jointly by Alberta Advanced Education and Technology and Alberta Education. Read the news release.
     
  4. Diversity and inclusive practices for winter celebrations: 

    Ms. Valerie Pruegger, Research Social Planner for the City of Calgary, offers advice on diversity and inclusive practices for winter celebrations, and states that such practices are not meant to take away from traditions, but rather to add respect to traditions.  Ms. Pruegger states that it is rarely those from other traditions who object to Christmas celebrations. However, some may go to unnecessary extremes not to offend others. 

    Ms. Pruegger suggests the following:
     
    • Most people from other traditions will not take offense to a hearty "Merry Christmas."
       
    • Most people from other traditions would appreciate hearing "Happy or Merry Chanukah" (the Jewish Festival of Lights celebrated December 5 to 12 this year), or "Ramadan Kareem" or "Ramadan Mubarak" (the Muslim religious observance on September 13 to October 12 this year).
       
    • When these three Christian, Jewish and Muslim celebrations coincide, it is appropriate to celebrate and acknowledge all three rather than only one.
       
    • "Salaam," which means "peace," is an appropriate greeting any time of the year.
       
    • "Happy Diwali" is an appropriate greeting for Hindus celebrating Diwali (the Festival of Lights celebrated November 9 this year).
       
    • "Happy Kwanzaa" is an appropriate greeting for West Africans celebrating Kwanzaa (celebrated December 26 to January 1, 2008 this year).

Canadian news

  1. Housing equality website:

    The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) launched a new website, Canadian Housing Equality Resource, devoted to housing rights in Canada. From the website: "The goal of this website is to provide housing workers and advocates across Canada with information and tools to enable them to overcome--using a human rights framework--the barriers that keep people from accessing and retaining adequate housing."  CERA is an Ontario-based non-profit human rights organization committed to challenging the systemic barriers and discrimination that contribute to homelessness and housing insecurity.
     
  2. Indigenous Studies Portal: 

    The University of Saskatchewan Library is developing the Indigenous Studies Portal Research Tool (iPortal), intended to connect faculty, students, researchers and members of the community with electronic resources including books, articles, theses, documents, photographs, archival resources and maps.  The iPortal also links to Indigenous programs and events at the University of Saskatchewan.
     
  3. Saskatchewan harassment legislation:

    On October 1, 2007, new legislation came into effect in Saskatchewan that expanded the definition of harassment under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The new definition is intended to address personal harassment, including abuse of power and bullying in the workplace. Visit this website for information on workplace harassment. Preventing Harassment: An Employer's Guide and Sample Policy provides information on the best way for employers to carry out their duties concerning workplace harassment.
     
  4. Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women:

    The Human Rights Program of Canadian Heritage has released a report on its website, Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Sixth and Seventh Reports on Canada, Covering the period April 1999 - March 2006.  Some of the key issues addressed in the report include gender-based analysis, social policy, violence against women and girls, immigrant and refugee women, and pay equity issues.
     
  5. Statistics Canada: Ethnic diversity and immigration:

    Statistics Canada has released detailed analyses of data from the 2006 Census.  Ethnic diversity and immigration are two of the topics highlighted.  Read the news release which provides links to various reports.

International news

  1. Human rights website for youth:

    A new interactive website intended for 13- to 18-year-old youth, as well as educators, has recently been launched. Be the Change: Upstanders for Human Rights profiles the stories, influences and motivations of five Reebok Human Rights Award winners.  Youth can interact with the site and others by posting their thoughts about participation and human rights. The website was created by Facing History and Ourselves, an international educational and professional development organization which focuses on racism, prejudice and antisemitism.
     
  2. 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

    The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights released Issue two and Issue three of Info60, an online newsletter offering information to inspire people everywhere to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. December 2008 will mark the 60th year of the signing of the declaration.
     
  3. World Youth Congress 2008: 

    Young activists involved in youth-led development from over 120 countries will meet at the 4th World Youth Congress on August 10 to 21, 2008 in Québec City.  From the World Youth Congress 2008 website: "Delegates will join forces with young Canadians to undertake hands-on community action projects across Québec, and will help shape international policy by documenting and showing governments what young people are doing to achieve the Millennium Development Goals." The deadline for application is December 31, 2007. Apply online.
     
  4. Online game to raise awareness about refugees:

    A new online game, entitled Against All Odds, has been developed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The game gives young people a virtual experience of what it is like to flee one's home country and become a refugee. A teacher information page that offers lesson plans and learning activities is included.

    Related publications

    Additional educational resources for Human Rights Day:
     

    • Human Rights Education Associates offers an online repository of human rights education and training materials, online forums, databases and links to other organizations and resources.
       
    • The University of Minnesota Human Rights Resource Center offers human rights education materials, networking, training for activists & educators, and background information including human rights treaties and laws.
       
    • Amnesty International USA offers resource materials, training and networking opportunities for educators. Resources are intended for kindergarten through college.
       
    • A list of additional links for educational resources is available from the National Peace Corps Association website by visiting A Global Issues Toolbox for Educators and clicking on Human Rights, Sweatshops, Justice & Democracy.

 

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