80 human rights defenders from more than 40 countries gather in Montreal from 8 to 27 June for the International Human Rights Training program organized by Equitas, the Canadian not-for-profit organization founded in 1967. The program is being held on the campus of John Abbott College in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue.
[More than 3,000 people from more than 100 countries have participated in the program, now in its 35th session. Many participants come from countries in conflict or with authoritarian regimes, including Ukraine, Egypt, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tunisia. For many in the program, this marks the first time they have left their home country.]
Equitas executive director Ian Hamilton said most participants work at the community level. Among other things, they work to mobilize youth in community-based decision making, to help them to adopt human rights values. and to change behaviours and practices that might not be in line with those values, such as early forced marriages and genital mutilation. During the program, participants will discuss issues including their experiences in working to promote the rights of women and children, to free political prisoners, to stop the use of child soldiers and to defend the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people, and of course participants are able to network and make connections. “It’s mostly about sharing experiences and talking about what they can do.” This year, just 10 per cent of applicants were accepted. “One of the most important things they leave with is an understanding that, if you want people to understand human rights, you need to have a conversation,” Hamilton said. “When going in to confront entrenched values in a community, you are challenging people who have influence and power, and nobody likes to be challenged.” The work of these human rights defenders, then, involves considerable stress and pressure — and the program gives them a chance to leave this stressful environment, albeit temporarily, and to return recharged, Hamilton said. Although some participants pay their way, most are funded through a grant. More on: www.equitas.org
via John Abbott College program groups human rights leaders | West Island Gazette.
Hans Thoolen on Human Rights Defenders and their awards 
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