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Call for Applications for the 32nd Annual International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP)

September 23rd, 2010 Comments off

Call for Applications for the 32nd Annual International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP)

Dear Friends,

Equitas will be holding its 32nd International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada, from June 5th to June 24th, 2011. This annual, intensive three-week program brings together around 120 participants from approximately 60 countries.

GOAL OF THE PROGRAM

The goal of the IHRTP is to strengthen the capacity of human rights organizations to undertake educational efforts aimed at building a global culture of human rights. The IHRTP aims at enabling participant organizations to undertake more effective human rights education activities. To this end, the Program places a strong emphasis on transfer of learning and on follow-up activities. Participants will be asked to develop an individual plan for putting their learning into action as part of the training.

CURRICULUM MODEL

The curriculum model is based on principles of adult experiential learning, in which participants and facilitators engage in a process of mutual teaching and learning. Participants work for the most part in groups of about 15 with a facilitator whose role is to provide guidance in achieving the Program objectives. In addition, internationally recognized human rights experts are also invited to give presentations and participate in panel discussions throughout the three-week session.

PROGRAM CONTENT

The IHRTP is an intermediate-level program that focuses on international human rights standards, current human rights issues and human rights education strategies. The exploration of human rights principles and instruments, ongoing critical reflection and inquiry and extensive sharing of experiences allow participants to strengthen their capacity to engage in effective human rights education.

*Week 1

Participants will get to know the members of their working group and engage in activities that lay the groundwork for developing a productive group dynamic based on mutual respect. They will become familiar with the overall Program content and methodology and begin a process of reflection on their individual societies, the human rights work of their organizations and their own role within those organizations. Participants will also compare their roles as human rights activists/educators and reflect on the universality of rights.

*Week 2

Participants will begin the week discussing issues of particular interest, leading to an examination of their roles as human rights workers and educators in the current global context. Through case studies and discussions, participants will examine major international human rights instruments in order to explore the usefulness of these instruments in their work.

*Week 3

Regional workshops will provide participants from the same geographic region the opportunity to work together to examine key components of effective monitoring and advocacy and the role of these activities in human rights education. Participants will synthesize previous themes and examine emerging human rights issues. Participants will also become familiar with methods of evaluating educational activities

ORGANIZATION AND PARTICIPANT PROFILES

Organizations that nominate candidates must be representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), national human rights institutions, government bodies or education institution; have a demonstrated commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights; be involved in human rights education activities, such as training sessions, workshops, public awareness campaigns, advocacy, monitoring and be committed to providing opportunities for their Candidate to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the Program within the organization.

Candidates from qualifying organizations must be active members of their organization for at least 2 years; be in a position to influence the human rights education work of the organization; have a knowledge of human rights principles and major international instruments; be committed to transferring knowledge and skills gained during the Program to colleagues and to others with whom they work; be sensitive to the issues which arise when working in multicultural groups, and respectful of diversity and be proficient in either English or French.

PROGRAM LOCATION AND DATES

The IHRTP will be held from June 5th to June 24th, 2011 at John Abbott College in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Québec, Canada.

PARTICIPATION FEE

The participation fee is $5,300 Canadian. This includes tuition, program materials, accommodation, meals, and emergency medical insurance. There are a limited number of bursaries available.

HOW TO APPLY

Your application must include:

* The completed Application Form (Part A completed by the Director of the Candidate’s organization; Part B completed by the Candidate)

* The Memorandum of Agreement duly signed by the Candidate and the director of the Candidate’s organization

* Two supporting letters from national and/or international human rights organizations (other than the Candidate’s) familiar with the Candidate’s work and/or the work of his or her organization

* A brochure (and/or mission statement) describing the Candidate’s organization

All Application documents can be obtained by visiting the Equitas website at www.equitas.org or by contacting the IHRTP Team at ihrtp-pifdh@equitas.org.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOVEMBER 21ST, 2010. We encourage all candidates to submit their Application documents as soon as possible.

Ian Hamilton
Executive Director
Equitas
Centre international d’éducation aux droits humains /
International Centre for Human Rights Education
666 Sherbrooke ouest, Bureau 1100
Montréal, QC, Canada H3A 1E7
Tel: +1.514.954.0382; Fax: +1.514.954.0659
www.equitas.org

Global Electronics Factories In Spotlight

August 10th, 2010 Comments off

http://ohsonline.com/articles/2010/08/04/global-electronics-factories-in-spotlight.aspx

Global Electronics Factories In Spotlight

Recently, a model of genuine worker participation has surprisingly emerged in China.

* By Garrett Brown,  Aug 04, 2010

Brand-name and contract electronics manufacturers have been rocked this year by a series of ongoing scandals about working conditions in the Asian plants that work day and night to produce the vast majority of the world’s consumer electronics. The worker suicides and cancer cases have called into question the effectiveness of electronics brand’s elaborate “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) programs, their contradictory business model, and the near-zero participation by workers in factory health and safety programs.

In the first five months of 2010 at Foxconn Technology Group’s giant 300,000-worker electronics assembly plant in Longhua, China, 16 workers had attempted suicide by jumping off the top of tall dormitory buildings, resulting in 12 deaths and four crippling injuries, and at least 20 other workers were restrained before committing suicide. All workers were between 18 and 24 and were migrants from rural areas of western China. By the end of May 2010, at least 49 young semiconductor workers had contracted cancer -– including 32 brain, leukemia, and lymphoma cancers -– while working at Samsung’s huge electronics plants throughout Korea. Nineteen deaths have occurred, mostly to workers in their 20s. Samsung denied the cancers were work-related, but a Korean magazine reprinted an internal Samsung handbook outlining the use of at least six carcinogens at its plants, including arsine, benzene, and trichloroethylene. Read more…

Racialised candidates, 2010 Toronto Municipal election

July 16th, 2010 Comments off

On Monday, October 25, 2010, Ontarians go to the polls to elect mayors, councillors, trustees, reeves alderpersons, and many other local-level representatives.

Below is a list (as of 16 July, 2010, of the people of colour/racialised candidates running for elected office in the GreaterToronto Area. If you know of any others, please send us an email at scrub@buzzardpress.com

Read more…

Volunteer at CCNCTO

October 2nd, 2009 Comments off

Looking for volunteers for
Research and Planning Committee, Communications Committee,
Anti-Racism Committee, Translation Committee


Volunteer Benefits

  • experience working with an exciting progressive non-profit organization
  • learn about issues facing the Chinese Canadian community and taking action to address these issues
  • support the needs of the Chinese Canadian community in Toronto
  • meet and network with likeminded people
  • volunteer hours for course requirements
  • learn new skills with leadership training and mentorship opportunities
  • fabulous reference letter
  • our undying thanks

Read more…

Making Media Public: Global Crises and Local Opportunities

September 17th, 2009 Comments off

from the Media Democracy Day listserv
frank

Making Media Public: Global Crises and Local Opportunities
Conference Call for Papers and Presentations

Traditional ways of making media are in crisis and steadfast models are threatened with extinction: media giants teeter on the edge of bankruptcy, local television stations are being closed, thousands of media workers have been laid off, and community radio and television are poorly supported. At the same time, new media are increasingly embraced by publics that, linked through social networks, produce and distribute an increasing range of their own content. Old media meet new technology, traditional policies meet global political and economic challenges, and the future of journalism is under intense debate. In this volatile climate, the need to develop new media models and policies is urgent. Read more…