In the past decade, the John Humphrey Centre has conducted or participated in many projects all dedicated to human rights education. They are listed here in reverse order starting in 2007 and moving back to 1999. You can find the appropriate reports under each project heading.
Empowered Youth Strengthening Communities
The Empowered Youth, Strengthening Communities Project focused on addressing the need for constructive, positive engagement of immigrant and refugee youth where they can form their identities, integrate with other Canadian youth, and develop the skills required for economic, social, cultural and political integration. Through the use of photovoice, the Centre has worked with youth to identify the unique challenges and opportunities that exist for youth.
A copy of our photovoice manual is available for download here.
We have also developed a financial aid briefing document for immigrant and refugee students which is available for download here.
Recognizing that teachers, parents and service providers play a big part and influence in the lives of immigrant and refugee youth, a video resource has been developed for teachers based on direct interviews and stories of youth and parents and the barriers and challenges of integrating into the school system.
Watch A World Unknown: Immigrant Parent Experiences with the School System
Booming Crisis: Homelessness and Housing in Edmonton
This Public Event was conducted in commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on the subject of housing and homelessness in Edmonton, which was an enormous problem facing the City.
Read the April 17th Report Final here.
Building World Peace: The Role of Religion and Human Rights
Building World Peace was an international conference presented in 2006 from Oct 20-22 aimed at addressing the critical role of religions and human rights in building a culture of peace. The current climate of fear revolving around religious extremism and human rights, a focus on understanding the important role that religions must play in countering violence is often overlooked.
The Conference brought together people of diverse cultures, religions and backgrounds with world renown diplomats, intellectuals, activists and religious leaders to address the complex issues surrounding the prevalent culture of violence in the world and to build strategies to create peace.
The speakers for Building World Peace were chosen for their experiences and anecdotes which brought the theme to a more personal level. The speakers included Senator Romeo Dallaire, the retired Canadian general and Force Commander of UNAMIR, the ill-fated Rwandan mission in 1994; the Honourable Douglas Roche O.C., author, diplomat and advocates for nuclear non-proliferation and chairman of the Middle-Powers Initiative for nuclear disarmament; General John de Chastelain (Ret), James Loney and others.
Senator Roche concluded the conference by reiterating that religious leaders everywhere must speak out on behalf of human rights and to build the conditions for peace through an alliance of civilizations. The conclusions, including this statement, can be found in the Final Report, Building World Peace: Now We Must Change ( or Maintenant il faut changer)
A parallel youth conference, Building World Peace (Some Assembly Required), was also hosted for 300 students. Following the event, a teaching resource was developped for Grade 10 Social Studies that examines the challenges to peace and the rights, responsibilites and roles youth play as engaged citizens. The resource also includes a DVD of Senator Dallaire’s presentation to the larger conference.
A More Democratic Alberta: How Do We Get There?
Held on May 12, 2006, the JHC hosted a symposium called, A More Democratic Alberta: How Do We Get There? at the University of Alberta. A one day event aimed at exploring and resolving the democratic deficit in Alberta, the event drew together various community-stakeholders in dialogue and discussion to create action-plans addressing various themes related to democratic renewal.
The symposium was a dynamic community project spearheaded in partnership with:
- Public Interest Alberta
- Parkland Institute
- YWCA Edmonton’s One Woman One Vote Initiative
- Fair Vote Alberta
- Equal Voice Alberta North
- University of Alberta, Faculty of Arts
- Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership
- Alberta Federation of Labour
- University of Alberta, Non-Academic Staff Association
Public Interest Alberta launched the Democracy Task Force as a result, hosting several dialogues to gain a better insight into the view of Albertans.
A More Democratic Alberta Final Report
Community Approaches to Combating Racism
The John Humphrey Centre facilitated the Community Approaches to Combating Racism (CACR) exploring innovative and sustainable ways to foster inclusion and ensure full and equal access to social, cultural and economic opportunities in the workplace. The Project explored how service providers, employers/employees and community organizations can work collaboratively to address the obstacles for visible minorities to achieve economic growth, quality of life and full inclusion in Canadian society.
The JHC facilitated several focus groups for service providers, unions, employers and employees to gain a better understanding of perceptions
CACR concluded on September 22, 2006 with a full-day workshop called Racism in the Workplace: a Community Dialogue that involved members of various levels of government. The afternoon also featured Fran Frazier of the Study Circle Research Centre, an American-based NGO, demonstrating the uses of a Study Circle.
All Other Projects (1999-2003)
- “BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE CANADIAN IDENTITY: A Human Rights and Diversity Project.” 2003.
- “HUMAN RIGHTS AS GLOBAL SECURITY: A Symposium to Commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.” April 25-26, 2002.
- “HARMONY IN THE PARK”. 2001
- “HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION PROGRAM IN SUMMER CAMPS”. 1999, 2001-Present (now known as Rights in the Sun)
- “LECTURE” Reverend Timothy Njoya, December 13, 2000
- “TRIBUTE TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PIERRE ELLIOT TRUDEAU” (1919-2000). December 7, 2000
- “A SYMPOSIUM ON PEACEBUILDING IN POST-CONFLICT SOCIETIES”. March 10, 2000
- “RIGHTS OF THE CHILD: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE” Poster/Essay Contest, 1999
- “THE RIGHT TO WHAT?” A Tenth Anniversary Conference for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, November 20, 1999
- “HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES IN THE MILLENNIUM: LESSONS AND ACTIVTIES ON HUMAN RIGHTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS”.
- “UNIVERSAL RIGHTS AND HUMAN VALUES: A BLUEPRINT FOR PEACE, JUSTICE AND FREEDOM.” International Conference, November 27-28, 1998.
