Alberta Human Rights Information Service December 10, 2009

December 10 is International Human Rights Day

International Human Rights Day marks the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by United Nations (UN) members on December 10, 1948. The Declaration arose directly from the experience of the Second World War and represents the first global expression of rights to which all human beings are entitled. A Canadian, John Peters Humphrey, was the primary author of the Declaration. It is arguably the world's most influential document on human rights, inspiring human rights frameworks across the globe.

The UN has proclaimed this year's focus for International Human Rights Day: embrace diversity / end discrimination.  Read more about how to celebrate International Human Rights Day.

Read the Declaration in English, French, Spanish, and 370 other translations.
 
Albertans are encouraged to celebrate International Human Rights Day by speaking out against discrimination, organizing activities, raising awareness and reaching out to their local communities on December 10 and throughout 2010. Read the Government of Alberta information bulletin.

New resource from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit

In recognition of International Human Rights Day and this year's theme, the Ministry's Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund (HREMF) has released a new resource to support community organizations in their efforts to foster equality and reduce discrimination. Annotated Bibliography: Diversity Resources  is an annotated bibliography of projects supported by the HREMF grant program that includes links to and information about human rights initiatives that foster equality, reduce discrimination and help build welcoming workplaces and communities. Read the Government of Alberta information bulletin.

Alberta Hate Crimes Committee releases guide Hate Crimes: What you should know and what you can do!

In support of International Human Rights Day, the Alberta Hate Crimes Committee (AHCC) released the guide Hate Crimes: What you should know and what you can do! The guide is intended to help people who are afraid to intervene when a hate/bias crime or incident occurs. When witnesses to hate/bias incidents remain silent, they may seem to be giving their consent to an act of hate or discrimination. The new guide gives advice on actions that can be taken as an alternative to silence. Research has indicated that only 10 percent of hate-motivated incidents are actually reported to authorities. The AHCC encourages Albertans to stand up to hate wherever and whenever it is safe to do so. The AHCC was formed in 2002 to develop a province-wide framework to encourage and support a collaborative and integrated approach to preventing and responding to hate and bias-motivated activities in Alberta, and to taking appropriate enforcement measures. The Alberta Human Rights Commission and Alberta Culture and Community Spirit are members of the committee. 

Embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination: the Commission's mandate

The Commission continues to implement programs and services in line with its two-fold mandate: to foster equality and reduce discrimination. 

In addition to other activities, the Commission's work with communities on the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD) and the Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) partnership continued to be successful in helping to meet these goals.

Here is an update on CMARD and WIC:

  • With St. Albert and Grande Prairie joining CMARD in 2009, the number of Alberta CMARD municipalities rose to nine. Each municipality has publicly declared its commitment to combat racism and discrimination. Alberta and Ontario lead the country in the number of municipalities that have joined CMARD in their respective provinces.

    CMARD helps to advance increased municipal involvement and capacity to combat racism and discrimination in Alberta and nationally. The Commission champions and promotes CMARD in Alberta. 

    In March 2009, in partnership with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, the Commission hosted the second pan-Canadian meeting of CMARD municipalities in Calgary. Read more about the meeting.

  •  The WIC initiative has shown significant results in engaging and supporting communities across the province to combat racism and discrimination and help build welcoming and inclusive communities. In September 2009, the first formal meeting of the provincial network of WIC communities (including CMARD and non-CMARD municipalities) held a two-day networking and learning meeting.
    The Commission and the Human Rights and Citizenship Branch of Alberta Culture and Community Spirit entered into the WIC partnership with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA).

    For more information about CMARD and WIC, contact the Commission at educationcommunityservices@gov.ab.ca or contact Marc Colbourne of the AUMA at mcolbourne@auma.ca.

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