As part of its Lunch Talk Series, McLaughlin College at York University will present "Our Rights, Our Freedoms, Always," a panel discussion to recognize International Human Rights Day, on Dec. 10 from noon to 2 p.m.
Dec. 10 commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). In 1950, the assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all states and interested organizations to observe Dec. 10 of each year as Human Rights Day. This is one of the most important international human rights instruments ever produced by the United Nations, and it has been the inspiration and model for all other human rights conventions, charters and codes that have been adopted since.
This year's International Human Rights Day will feature a number of speakers who will underscore the significance of the UDHR and this year's theme, "Our Freedoms, Our Rights, Always." The event will be moderated by James Simeon, head of McLaughlin College and associate professor in the School of Public Policy & Administration, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS).
Panellists for the discussion include:
Michael Creal, professor emeritus in the Department of Humanities (LA&PS) and member of the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University, and Chair of the Southern Ontario Sanctuary Coalition.
David Leyton-Brown, former head of McLaughlin College and professor emeritus in the Department of Politics (LA&PS) at York University.
Lesley Wood, associate professor and Chair in the Department of Sociology (LA&PS) at York University. Wood is interested in how ideas travel, how power operates, how institutions change, how conversations influence practices, how people resist, how authorities act and how these patterns are tied to broader relations of power.
The event will be held in the Senior Common Room, 140 McLaughlin College, and light refreshments will be provided. It is co-sponsored by the Office of the College Head, McLaughlin College, the Department of Sociology, and the Centre of Public Policy & Law.
For more information, contact Vicky Carnevale at vcarneva@yorku.ca or ext. 33824.