Group of Student Ambassadors with Guest Speaker
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Minutes 4/8/'09
Present: Erinn, Julie, Alana, Simon, Adan, Jenn, Kara, Dan, Shefali, Sharielle, Abena, Amanda, Pronoma, Aaron, Hannah
Letter from Kerry
- Beautifully written, we miss you/her too!
- Went really well
- students already knew how malaria works, had some form of sex ed
- Did map project on where students thought HIV rates were highest and lowest, did quite well
- for Malaria, Erinn, showed video
- Robertson school-Manchester
- Willimantic/Windham high school/Windham Middle School
- Include Mansfield and Windham
- A lot of work, but great opportunity to bring people together
- Keep on working with MMS, and other schools
- Have past participants help teach workshops
- Underprivileged, under served schools
- need to approach Human Rights education as not ideal, abstract, but something that's implemented everyday
- Aim for $475, each of us should raise $20
- Go to website at http://site.foodshare.org/site/TR/Events/WalkAgainstHunger?fr_id=1050&pg=entry to join the Student Ambassadors team
Sharielle's Presentation on Gentrification
- REALLY good discussion/debate
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Minutes April 2nd 2009
Regards: Alana, Nikki
UN Agenda for Tomorrow
- cameras are allowed
- 4-6 PM SU 312
- Confirmed: Abena, Amanda, Erinn, Alana, Jennifer, Romana, Hana, Niki, Rafael, Pronoma, Sharielle, Allison, Dan, Aaron
- UN and Human rights in Africa: Reflections of a UN diplomat with Abdulrahim Abby Farah
- Thursday, April 19, 12:30-1:45 Castleman 212
- Please take poll on blog
- Still accepting articles through next week
- went really well
- talked about gender equality
- Talked about education, lack of access to it
Walk for Hunger-Sharielle
- Free to walk
- in Hartford
- May 3rd
- Drafting of parent letter to go on walk for hunger
- invite families to come
- Pennies for Hunger-Penny Wars
- includes malaria, TB, toher serious diseases
- avoid talking about sex/transmission
- Cup and liquid activity
- Malaria/TB-facts, impacts, history, etc..
- connect HIV to Maternal/Family
- link it to importance of education
- Dots activity-stigma
- Guessing Game
- creative informing
- access to healthcare/quality of healthcare
- child survival rates around the world
- positive projects
- Obama's Child Healthcare plan
- Find surprising facts against US
- maternity/paternity leave
- insurance-healthcare
- costs->hard choices
- malnutrition
- parishable goods
- Education->occupation
Saturday, March 28, 2009
FYI
Subject: Joint NGO written submission to the UN Human Rights Council 10th session
Dear Colleagues,
We wanted to update you on the developments regarding the Joint Statement on human rights education to the Human Rights Council.
We received over 600 responses to our call for signatures last month. Thank you all very much for your support! I am still responding to all e-mails individually, so please be patient -- you will receive an answer!
The Joint Statement, along with a list of all signatories, is now available on the Human Rights Council's 10th session website. The document number is 112 (A/HRC/10/NGO/112):
http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/sdpage_e.aspx?b=10&se=83&t=7
or directly at:
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G09/119/92/PDF/G0911992.pdf?OpenElement
For all participants at the Human Rights Council session, NGO written statements numbers are also indicated as relevant documents under the Agenda Item to be dealt the Order of the Day (daily schedule) on the day.
The written statement was submitted under Agenda Item 5 of the Council: Human Rights Bodies and Mechanisms. The general debate on Agenda Item 5 is now re-scheduled to be dealt with this week at the Council.
During the general debate, some interventions by member states are expected on the draft UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training, and the World Programme for Human Rights Education (WPHRE). A number of NGOs of the NGO Working Group on Human Rights Education and Learning, Geneva, will make two joint oral interventions.
There are two resolutions of the Human Rights Council expected to be put on the table during the rest of the 10th session - one on the Draft UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training and the other on the WPHRE.
Sincerely yours,
Kazunari Fujii
Chair
NGO WG on HREL, Geneva
Of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN
(CONGO)
~~~~~~
Soka Gakkai International (SGI)
Geneva UN Liaison Office
Frank Elbers
Director of Programmes, HREA
Friday, March 27, 2009
unesco meeting minutes 3.26
UNESCO Student
Ambassadors Meeting Minutes
U.N. trip, please
submit your form ASAP.
April 6th,
member of Human Rights committee will be at Uconn for a dinner and
reception with Student Ambassadors.
April 9th-
12:20-1:45 Tentative location: Castleman 212
New Lecture isschedule with Abdulrahim Abby Farah, former Under-Secretary General
of the United Nations
If you’re
interested in doing an article related to poverty, Rafa would like to
have it by this Saturday March 28th, and the article would be due the
following Saturday April 4th.
Sharielle:
Collecting donations for a walk against hunger.
Looking into relayfor life recycling idea. Fundraising options are being brainstormed.
I.e. bake sales, m&m guessing game, penny wars, etc.
$10/person. Stuff a husky type idea.
Mansfield MiddleSchool:
great success and the students seemed to take away a lot from it
about gender equality. The Ambassadors were impressed with the
students and how much they knew.
will take the lead on penny wars at Mansfield Middle School.
First Mansfieldwrite-up is in, the next one is due next week.
Sunday April 19th-Bbq at Dr. O’s house
Adan’spresentation on “The current situation in Somalia, and an
introduction to the Republic of Somaliland”
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Minutes 3/19/'09
Random brainstorming drawing activity
Reactions to Keith Snow
- Not as aggressive as last year
- really made us think about the "system" we're in
- main point to generate discussion
Report back on MMS Workshop
- Went well, students very receptive
- Spoke about UDHR, MDG, Map activity, what people can do to help
- Very high level students
- After each workshop, prepare outline of what you did by next Thursday (unless you go on Wednesday, give in by Saturday)
- Walk with MMS students
- May 3rd (Sunday before Finals week, i.e. next day finals starts
- go to last session of Human Rights Committee
- Sign statement of understanding for going to UN
go to http://www.doodle.com/eg9sbe8grymnt8xa to rsvp above events
Amanda->Keeping PIRG on fee bill
- unanimous vote of support
- e-mail sent out....please read it if writing articles
- one day to have university community reach out to community
- requires reaching out to other groups
- links to videos online on social business-> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW-4gJmXy5M and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C3XQ3BTd4o
Monday, March 16, 2009
Human Rights Workshop
A Workshop with Mr. Keith Harmon Snow
Thursday, March 19, 2009
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Castleman Room 212
How does the mass media operate? How does one interpret information and determine if, when and how the news is slanted? How do you “read” information that passes your way? What is the value of information and when is information being used against us? Should one be reading the mass media at all?
Join Keith Harmon Snow for a workshop exploring the western mass media system. Using specific case studies based in his human rights work and media analyses, Keith will offer insights into the media, including structural deceptions, political agendas, racial biases, stereotypes and corporate seductions. The workshop will address ethical and moral issues and will challenge participants to evaluate truth, justice, equality and what it means to pursue right livelihood in the present era.
Keith Harmon Snow is the 2009 Regent's Lecturer in Law & Society at the University of California Santa Barbara. Over the past decade, he has been recognized for his work in contesting official narratives on war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. He has also worked as a genocide investigator for the United Nations.
Please visit www.unescochair.uconn.edu for more information, or call 486.0647.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Minutes 3/5/'09
Present: Sharielle, Adan, Romana, Dan, Kara, Nana, Erinn, Amanda, Allison, Simon, Abena
Hoodies coming in soon
ROH-2nd issue done, working on 3rd one
Keith Snow
-Last time here talked about Media and propaganda
-this time going to talk about how to sift through information to get to the truth
-Part workshop/lecture March 19th 12:30-1:45
-Castleman (Engineering building) in room 212
Friday April 3rd-Trip to UN
-briefing from Human Rights Committee (HRC), last day of meeting
-Leave 6:30 AM to get to 9:30
-Each person responsible for buying own lunch
-WHO briefing (April 7th world health day)
-Tour pre-paid
-Back on campus by 6:30 (leave UN by 3:30)
-Going with learning communities going to UN
-Think of good questions to ask
-Deputy Chairperson of Human Rights Commission in South Africa, part of HRC, coming Monday April 6th, time TBA
Alana wrote letter to Robertson Elementary school in Manchester
Hanna's Fashion show
-Raise awareness and funds for HIV/AIDs
-Any ideas
Relay for Life Cancer UConn Alumni survivors speaking at 7 PM March 17th in SU theater
MMS Workshops
-Class-More special ed students than last time
-one student who has lived in a Somali refugee camp
-one student who is Iranian
-Combatting HIV/AIDs, Malaria, Tuberculosis, and other major diseases
-probably not going to completely reach goal, but doesn't mean we've failed
-talk about issues of access
-goals
-promote action in local organization
-keeping a notebook of what students are learning
-promote pen pal(?)
-keep it creative
-promote children's rights and emphasize responsibilities
-each group can outline before workshop what going to do, then refine afterward, and then put on UNESCO website
Break up into action groups
Allison's discussion on Water Privatization in Developing Countries
-Dirty water
-2.2 million people die each year from contaminated drinking water
-intestinal worms affect 10% of developing world
-causes sever malnutrition and Anemia, lots of children die each year
-Solutions
-small scale solutions being implemented
-Discussion of our own water usage
-Should governments or private institutions distribute water?
-Need to find way to have people help themselves
good night!
UNESCO MINUTES
Minutes
UNESCO
Meeting February 26,
2009
February 27, 2009
5:45pm
Louise Girson-Luck,
Leadership, and Legitimacy
South Africa and Middle
East
Intergenerational Forum
Application due February 27, 2009
Student Ambassador
Profiles due Midnight February 26, 2009
One Voice Movement
Monday, March 2, 2009 4:30pm Dodd Center Konover Auditorium
Keith Snow Lecture on
Media and Propaganda Thursday, March 19 Castleman
Updates on Projects
-Fundraiser for
HIV/AIDS (Hannah)
Three countries
(Zimbabwe, South Africa, and third)
Fashion Show
Nikki suggests
Partners in Health
Jason has friends in
costume department
Hannah distributed
sheet for sign ups
Dan knows
coordinators of Asian American Fashion Show
Abena knows people
Stephanie brought up
Steven Lewis and a film/tv show
Dinner
Spring Break plans
-Alana-Florida
-Erin-DC
-Abena-working
-Romana-New Orleans
-Jason-working
-Allison-going home
and relaxing
-Hannah-Puerto Rico
-Nikki-South Dakota
-Jen-Spain
-Amanda-Texas
-Nana-at Uconn
-Dan-Belize
Mansfield Middle School
Programs
Changes to our
schedule
Kara had sent out an
e-mail
We will start on March
16th
We will meet at Wilbur
Cross before going to the school
Mr. Burnam would like
for us to come back but Wednesday is only day available
-We have yet to
decide on topics for his class
-10:25am-11:10am on
Wednesdays
-1:45-3:00pm on
Wednesdays
Working on curriculum
for these programs that can be used for future
-Abena and Erin
inquired about this
Gender Equality on
Wednesday will have 1 hour and 30 minutes—longer
Jen asks if we will
create uniformity
Abena clarifies that
we want a template that other groups can see and a record
Intro. Poverty/Hunger
nametags
explain MDGs
ask students about
fundamental rights
Nikki notes that
children have short attention span
Romana can bring YHR
UDHR to distribute
child-friendly UDHR
Relative wealth—guilt
show physical items
Give portion of rice
to each child
Amanda says big world
map and put buttons on countries based on wealth then do it again
based on population
Abena suggests
cardboard cut out
Break students into
groups
Show what is being
done in outreach locally
Sending a positive
message
Nana mentions that
encouraging empathy is more important than guilt
Each group can bring
a fact sheet
Each student can
write in a fact sheet/notebook
Universal Education
Aaron suggests that
children think they know about human rights, but it's important to
explain them
Allison mentions that
there is a school in Indonesia to have pen pals with
This connects to
global partnership
Aaron suggests to
make a video about who we are
Use photos of other
projects
Utilize UDHR
UN Literacy Decade
Jen suggests give
sheet with something in a different language and have them look at it
to show how difficult it is when one cannot read
Cycle of
illiteracy-when one language is language of the elite, but you do not
speak because family does not
Different language
activities
Give them the example
that after this year they will not have any more education
“What if”
scenarios
Real Life
implications
Connect back to
poverty
Effects on family,
society
Imbalance in society
because only have particular opportunities
What kind of jobs you
can get
Whole is greater than
parts
Dream jobs and then
explain why cannot do them
Here we are able to
dream and attain, other places people cannot even dream
Education shapes
perception of reality
Gender Equality
In the United
States-how much women earn compared to men
Gender equality in
primary schools, secondary schools, work place
Cultural perception
of gender roles
but still enforce
UDHR
Reasons behind gender
roles
Cycle that exists
CEDAW
moral obligations,
responsibility
Be careful to not
alienate men
Jason points out at
young age thinks everything should be fair
Point out from male
perspective
Boys should have the
abilities to learn all the tasks that girls know
Ex. Rwanda—half
of legislature=women
Everyone should have
fair and equal access
Jen suggests make up
occupations on cards and show stereotypes
Allison suggests
statistics for students their age in developing countries and
physically divide class
Cards with
professionals on one side and pay on other side
Men don't have right
to take off from work when have baby
Jason's Presentation--
UNESCO MINUTES
Minutes
UNESCO
Meeting February 26,
2009
February 27, 2009
5:45pm
Louise Girson-Luck,
Leadership, and Legitimacy
South Africa and Middle
East
Intergenerational Forum
Application due February 27, 2009
Student Ambassador
Profiles due Midnight February 26, 2009
One Voice Movement
Monday, March 2, 2009 4:30pm Dodd Center Konover Auditorium
Keith Snow Lecture on
Media and Propaganda Thursday, March 19 Castleman
Updates on Projects
-Fundraiser for
HIV/AIDS (Hannah)
Three countries
(Zimbabwe, South Africa, and third)
Fashion Show
Nikki suggests
Partners in Health
Jason has friends in
costume department
Hannah distributed
sheet for sign ups
Dan knows
coordinators of Asian American Fashion Show
Abena knows people
Stephanie brought up
Steven Lewis and a film/tv show
Dinner
Spring Break plans
-Alana-Florida
-Erin-DC
-Abena-working
-Romana-New Orleans
-Jason-working
-Allison-going home
and relaxing
-Hannah-Puerto Rico
-Nikki-South Dakota
-Jen-Spain
-Amanda-Texas
-Nana-at Uconn
-Dan-Belize
Mansfield Middle School
Programs
Changes to our
schedule
Kara had sent out an
e-mail
We will start on March
16th
We will meet at Wilbur
Cross before going to the school
Mr. Burnam would like
for us to come back but Wednesday is only day available
-We have yet to
decide on topics for his class
-10:25am-11:10am on
Wednesdays
-1:45-3:00pm on
Wednesdays
Working on curriculum
for these programs that can be used for future
-Abena and Erin
inquired about this
Gender Equality on
Wednesday will have 1 hour and 30 minutes—longer
Jen asks if we will
create uniformity
Abena clarifies that
we want a template that other groups can see and a record
Intro. Poverty/Hunger
nametags
explain MDGs
ask students about
fundamental rights
Nikki notes that
children have short attention span
Romana can bring YHR
UDHR to distribute
child-friendly UDHR
Relative wealth—guilt
show physical items
Give portion of rice
to each child
Amanda says big world
map and put buttons on countries based on wealth then do it again
based on population
Abena suggests
cardboard cut out
Break students into
groups
Show what is being
done in outreach locally
Sending a positive
message
Nana mentions that
encouraging empathy is more important than guilt
Each group can bring
a fact sheet
Each student can
write in a fact sheet/notebook
Universal Education
Aaron suggests that
children think they know about human rights, but it's important to
explain them
Allison mentions that
there is a school in Indonesia to have pen pals with
This connects to
global partnership
Aaron suggests to
make a video about who we are
Use photos of other
projects
Utilize UDHR
UN Literacy Decade
Jen suggests give
sheet with something in a different language and have them look at it
to show how difficult it is when one cannot read
Cycle of
illiteracy-when one language is language of the elite, but you do not
speak because family does not
Different language
activities
Give them the example
that after this year they will not have any more education
“What if”
scenarios
Real Life
implications
Connect back to
poverty
Effects on family,
society
Imbalance in society
because only have particular opportunities
What kind of jobs you
can get
Whole is greater than
parts
Dream jobs and then
explain why cannot do them
Here we are able to
dream and attain, other places people cannot even dream
Education shapes
perception of reality
Gender Equality
In the United
States-how much women earn compared to men
Gender equality in
primary schools, secondary schools, work place
Cultural perception
of gender roles
but still enforce
UDHR
Reasons behind gender
roles
Cycle that exists
CEDAW
moral obligations,
responsibility
Be careful to not
alienate men
Jason points out at
young age thinks everything should be fair
Point out from male
perspective
Boys should have the
abilities to learn all the tasks that girls know
Ex. Rwanda—half
of legislature=women
Everyone should have
fair and equal access
Jen suggests make up
occupations on cards and show stereotypes
Allison suggests
statistics for students their age in developing countries and
physically divide class
Cards with
professionals on one side and pay on other side
Men don't have right
to take off from work when have baby
Jason's Presentation--
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Raquel's Letter
This is my response to Raquel's letter. What does anybody think?
Dear Mr. Márcio Lacerda
The UNESCO Student Ambassadors for Human Rights (SAHR) are dismayed at the current state of housing in Vila Acaba Mundo in your beautiful city of Belo Horizonte. It is unfair that families who have lived in Vila Acaba Mundo for over 60 years be evicted. This is a direct violation of their housing rights. It is urgent for you to declare the expropriation of the area where the people of Vila Acaba Mundo are threatened with eviction. Moreover, a reversal of your veto on the bill that would have given Vila Acaba Mundo status as an area of special interest would greatly ameliorate the current situation.
Regards,
Rafael Péres-Segura on behalf of UNESCO SAHR
University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut USA
Minutes Feb 19 2009
Present: Kara, Stephanie, Simon, Alana, Aaron, Dan, Sharielle, Hannah, Jenn, Jason, Rafa, Allison, Amanda, Dr. O, Pronoma, Romana, Adana, Nana
ROH
-sign up with story
-more details next week
-articles due March 13
-Theme is poverty
Stephanie
-School supply drive for Haiti
Aaron
-Support concert (?) possible project
Hannah
-Fashion show to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS (?) possible project
Dr. O
-Theme for next UNESCO Conference is Health and Human Rights
One Voice Movement
-Largest youth organization that fosters Israeli-Palestinian dialogue
-March 2nd 4:30-6:30 PM
-Cosponsoring event would probably entail advertising on our part
Adan
-Wants to present in a couple weeks on Somaliland and Somalia
-Wants to take on project on helping Somaliland gain International Recognition
Hannah's Presentation on Zimbabwe
-Zimbabwe has big crisis with under nutrition, as a result leading to thousands of deaths
-Zimbabwe economy is shambles
-no freedom of press
-Dr. O
-Zimbabwe used to be bread basket of Africa, tragic that it has fallen so hard
-Is there a project that can be done by SAHR to extend awareness of the issues in Zimbabwe?
-Raising money for Zimbabwe could be considered, but done in an apolitical fashion
MMS
-Preliminary Schedule for MMS...soon to be confirmed
-Meet in groups of what you want to do to work on workshops, sign up for first choices
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Minutes Feb 12 2009
Present: Adan, Erinn, Abena, Julie, Romana, Sharielle, Jennifer, Amanda, Hannah, Nikki, Kara (duh!), Rafa, Simon, Dan, Jason
Today is Red Hand Day
-Today in 2002 UN commissioned committee to reduce child soldier recruitment
Housing Rights
-Interested in sending out letter of support
-General template e-mail written
-each person can tailor e-mail and send it.
-Rafa writes generic letter for housing by Sunday noon.
EATING
Reflection on trip to Cambridge MA last Friday
- very inspirational person
- described art and justice
- supreme court designed differently from European counterparts
Newsletter presentation
April 3rd- UN trip to HRC sessions
Nikki's presentation- Darfur
-Darfur Western Region of Sudan, in North of Sudan
-Nobody can agree on how many civs killed
-UN determined not officially a genocide
-Darfur exaggerated?
-many unknowns
-Darfur has most refugees in world
MMS (Mansfield Middle School) and MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)
-Sign up for times
-make video with kids?
-Topics based on MDGs
-Dan will make Subject list for each class period
One Voice Movement
-Israelis and Palestinians coming March 2nd with Arab student Association.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Urgent Housing Appeal
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Minutes-Feb 5 2009
Present: Jason Abbott, Samantha Dolat, Jennifer Chevinsky, Nikki Rubin, Romana Heider, Dan Lin, Alana, Sharielle Applewhite, Adan Abbey, Hanna Etim-Gorst, Erinn Arbelaez, Stephanie Guirand, Allison Lex, Amanda Ploch, Simon Haley, Kara O'Brien, Rafael Pérez-Segura, Pronoma Srivastava, Shefali Mamak
Art and Justice event: The Art of the Constitutional Court of South Africa
- meet on Friday at 3 PM in the Office of the UNESCO Chair
- Amanda, Hannah, Nikki, Erinn, Romana, Rafael, Kara, Shefali, Pronoma
- leave by 3 PM Friday
- sample workshop online
- highly thought of
- some reservations on being out-of-date
- Many view points represented
- Hamas
- Shown very favorably
- doesn't address voting in of Hamas
- will we be able to handle being apolitical on topic?
- Erinn explains background behind Gaza-Israel video screening event
- Jenn offers idea of seeing Israeli-Palestinian children together
- Everyone please take a look at the website: www.onevoicemovement.org
- Israeli and Palestinian youth leaders coming Feb 28th-March 5th
- member leader for promises/onevoice movement=Erinn
- advertising
- advertise really well
- emphasize humanitarian issue
- Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
- Romana brings up idea of panel discussions
- make fact oriented
- Adan
- Facts not agreed on by all sides
- Asking to have a student endorse a play about Prostitution
- Around April 24th (but not the 24th)
- Institute would pay for space and plane ticket, but not necessarily for rooms at a hotel
- Literacy Around the World-definite workshop for this semester
- Ideas
- consistently talk about UNUDHR, Convention on the Rigths of the Child
- awareness->acceptance->understand->involvement/action (giving options, what you can do)
- be very specific
- child labor
- 3 facilitators
- Base workshops on Millennium Development Goals
- End Poverty and hunger
- Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
- Universal Education
- Gender Equality
- Environmental Sustainability
- Global Partnerships
- Child Health
- Maternal Health
- Doing bible study at Correctional Facility near UConn Depot Campus
- volunteered in South Africa at a detention center
- has learned a lot about inmate's lives
- Recidivism
- real problem, many get out and come back again
- no better or worse off than when inmates first came in
- people need tools once they get out of prison
- Why do prisoners deserve taxpayer money to learn when our own schools don't have enough money?
- very difficult question
- answer unclear
- Discussion
- Sharielle- Who people hang around with once out of prison has a lot to do with how much chance they have of going back
- to answer about who deserves taxpayer money, it should be who wants it more.
- idea-network of organizations that specialize in hiring back people who were imprisoned or wrongfully accused of something
- has relative that has had to deal with the stigma of going to jail now that he's out
- Hannah
- prisoners dynamic in personalities
- asks: more expensive to keep people in jail than to educate them?
- Jail per capita costs $22,000, education costs will pay themselves back over and over again
- Amanda
- no continuity between prison system and transition to society
- Would choose to educate the person in prison because person in jail to begin with because law abiding student would generally have a better chance to figure stuff out
- Dan
- clarification-recidivism means going back to jail, not necessarily back to crime
- Adan
- American prisons a shame
- US holds self to higher standards
- people come back many times worse than before.
- Shefali
- many prisoners sometimes encouraged to do crime again out of desperation
- change is difficult
- Simon
- Asks: What actually happens when people get released?
- Amanda answers: Programs about only a year long, not enough time for most people to adapt again
- Ask: Government incentives to have companies rehire people who have proved themselves out of prison
- Amanda answer: doesn't really know, but it seems like a good idea.
- there actually is a bakery that hires many ex-convicts who actually stay there
- important to recognize when ex-convicts are really willing to make change their ways
Monday, February 2, 2009
The World March for Peace and Non-violence
"Because we can end world hunger with 10% of what is spent on arms.
Imagine how life would be if 30-50% of the arms budget went toward improving people's lives instead of being used for destruction."
The World March for Peace and Non-violence, is an international project that will start in New-Zealand on October 2nd of 2009, and will arrive in Punta de Vacas, Argentina, on January 2nd of 2010, after crossing 90 countries around the world! It is an initiative of the NGO "World Without Wars", which is organizing it at the international level. There are many organizations and volunteers working on it locally in many countries. The project has received so far a very high number of supports, from citizens all over the world, universities, NGOs, politicians, institutions, intellectuals, artists etc.
The web site of the World March is: www.marchamundial.org/en
Minutes - January 29, 2009
Minutes recorded by Erinn
Dr. O’s welcome:
- UNESCO Chair regards us as a group of very special students
Student Visibility on campus:
- Abena, Hanna*, Jason, Erinn, Rafael and Pronoma expressed interest in having a subcommittee led by Dan that would focus on getting our name out there. The committee would email each other, possibly meet a few minutes earlier, etc.
-Possibly design a new poster to advertise SAHRs
Promises:
-look into showing it at the Dodd Center on a Thursday around 7:00 possibly during the last week in March and the first two weeks of April, the best week is probably the first in April
-everyone should watch the movie by next week’s meeting
New Meeting Times:
-meetings will now be 5:00-7:00pm every week with dinner
February 6th, 2009 Justice Albie Sachs of South Africa will be giving a presentation on The Art of the Constitutional Court of South Africa at 6:00pm in Cambridge at Harvard University- there will be a survey sent out to see who wants to go
Rafa’s Topic: “Two Sides of a Border: One Violent, One Peaceful.”
Article from The New York Times by James C. McKinley.Published: January 22, 2009. Available: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/us/23elpaso.html?scp=1&sq=%93Two%20Sides%20of%20a%20Border:%20One%20Violent,%20One%20Peaceful%94%20&st=cse
-Drug trafficking violence is much stronger on the Mexican side of the border, most likely because Mexico is very militaristically trying to crack down on drug dealing
-There is a big power vacuum in Latin America about who is going to control the drug trafficking industry because the demand is still very high but there was a huge crack down on drug trafficking in Colombia and the Caribbean so a lot of drugs started being brought through Mexico.
-In the North it is like a war zone with innocent people dying. People trying to help, like aid workers from the Red Cross, are being attacked.
-Links between this situation and what’s happening in Afghanistan with opium – farmers switching from growing food crops to drugs. Rafa makes the point that what needs to be addressed is educating people in the U.S.A., Europe, etc. that the drugs they’re using have these other negative effects on the people that are being basically forced to supply the drug to them.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Brainstorming of Ideas from Orientation Day Jan 24 '09
- build relations
- start discussion
- Point person-Jen
- Mansfield-Build reputation and aproach
- human rights
- child rights->CRC
- UDHR-> it exists, it applies
- MDGs
- Direct action awareness
- our rights, our responsibilities
- quantify measures
- integrate MMS with fundraising
- Documentary "Promises"
- Panel
- Peacetalks-US Fundraiser
- moderator (submit on papers?)
- purpose
- media
- CRC-Participation
- Watch the doc-netflix
- Fundraising
- H2O-Bright Star Vision
- library-Amir
- support periodical subscription
- integrate book drive with MMS
- What Works?
- bake sale
- flex pass
- jewelery
- photography, art
- company appeal
- appeal to sports tickets
- auction for next semester?
- Make honors event
- Namaste
- Haiti
- Point peopl-Allison and Stephanie
- Darfur reawareness
- inform ourselves
- Narco-trafficking-Rafa
- Trafficking of Women and Children-Pronoma
- Religious Persecution-Akosua
- Self determination-Jason
Friday, January 23, 2009
Minutes Jan 22 '09
- Reflections on Gaza
4. Consensus to order pizza and meet at Wilbur Cross 110 at Noon
- 2-3 PM (set up) - Pronoma
- 3-4 PM - Amanda, Nikki
- 4-5 PM - Jason
- 5-6 PM - Sharielle, Abena
- 6-7 PM - Julie, Rafael
- 7-8 PM - Simon, Allison
- Work more with Sherry Andrews
- Work on workshops
8. Intergenerational App open
- Abena explains nature of forum
- China Kitetsi
- meet people from everywhere
- Result of library building in Rwanda
- Asks for donation of books
- $28.52
- Payment due by 1/29/'09
- Mentioned Kerry (Not McCole) going to help with making/designing school
- 60 yrs old, last 35 years raising 3 sons by self
- high school, but no college education
- Became systems mainframe engineer @ travelers
- everyone introduces selves, where traveled, why human rights
- picked Ghana because found people friendly, no war, spoke English
- told should bring books, hesitant, but did donate
- got money to make library
- Kerry talks about asymmetric program
- nationwide program for architecture, construction, and engineering
- mix of inner city and non-inner city students
- Made complete plans of construction for Marla's kindergarten
- Ground has been broken
- roof costs $20,000, still need funds
- upcoming fundraiser (flyer passed around)
- if interested in going to Ghana in May, talk to Marla
Thursday, January 22, 2009
January 22, 2009 - Meeting Agenda
January 22, 2009
1. Welcome back & Intro.s
2. Minutes
3. Orientation, 12 – 4pm, Wilbur Cross, Room 110
a. Use the front door
b. Lunch
4. Student Involvement Fair – sign-up (3 – 8pm Wed, Jan 28, 2009)
5. Mansfield Middle School
a. New class?
b. Schedules
c. Connecticut Children’s Commissioner
6. Articles/Media
7. Intergenerational Leadership Forum - - - - Applications are open
a. Letter from Amir
8. Hoodies - $$$ - $28.52
9. Guest speaker : Marla Ludwig, Bright Star Vision
Spring 2009
January 22 - Welcome back!
January 24 - Orientation, 12 – 4pm, Wilbur Cross, Room 110
January 28 - Student Involvement Fair, 3:00 – 8:00pm
January 29 -
February 5 -
February 12 -
February 19 - INTERNATIONAL MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY (Feb 21)
February 26 -
March 5 - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY (March 8)
March 12 - Spring Break
March 19 - Keith Snow Guest Lecture, 12:30 - 1:45pm
MARCH 22 - WORLD WATER DAY (2009 Theme: Transboundary Water)
March 26 -
April 2 - WORLD HEALTH DAY(April 7)
April 9 -
April 16 -
APRIL 22 - EARTH DAY
April 23 -
April 30 -
Possible Trip Dates: March 20, March 27, April 3
2009 UN International Year of Astronomy
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Child Rights event - New York
Invitation to Attend the Third Child Policy Forum of New York
IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING OF THE OPTIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE U.N. CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD ON THE SALE OF CHILDREN, CHILD PROSTITUTION AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
DAY: FRIDAY
DATE: FEBRUARY 6, 2009
TIME: 1:00 – 5:00 P.M.
PLACE: CHURCH CENTER FOR THE UNITED NATIONS MEETING ROOM 212 777 UN PLAZA, NEW YORK
The U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is a human rights treaty created specifically to promote and protect the best interests and human rights of children worldwide. Since 1990, 193 countries have ratified the CRC. The U.S. and Somalia are the only two countries which have not ratified this historic treaty.
Although the U.S. has not ratified the CRC, it has ratified the Optional Protocols to the CRC on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (OPSC) and the Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (OPAC) on 23 December 2002.
The U.S. has submitted an official report, which was discussed in Geneva in May/June 2008 with official recommendations by the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child. The recommendations and treaty obligations for implementation and monitoring will be the topic of our Forum with an emphasis on New York State.
Opening Remarks
Gertrud Lenzer -- Professor, Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center/CUNY
Director, Brooklyn College Children's Studies Program and Center/CUNY
Christoph M. Kimmich -- President, Brooklyn College/CUNY
William A. Tramontano -- Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Brooklyn College/CUNY
Kathryn Grant Madigan, Esq. -- Immediate Past President, New York State Bar Association
Speakers
Angela O. Burton, Esq. -- Associate Professor, CUNY School of Law
Howard Davidson, J.D. -- Executive Director of the ABA Center on Children and the Law
The Honorable Jeffrey Dinowitz -- New York State Assembly
Gertrud Lenzer -- Professor, Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center/CUNY
Director, Brooklyn College Children's Studies Program and Center/CUNY
Rachel Lloyd – Executive Director, Girls Educational and Mentoring Services (GEMS)
Marta Santos Pais – Director, UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre (Pending Final Confirmation)
The Honorable William A. Scarborough -- Chair of the Standing Committee on Children and Families,
New York State Assembly
Carol Smolenski -- Executive Director, ECPAT - USA
Hosted by the Children's Studies Center & the Brooklyn College of The City University of New York in collaboration with the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, The Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Covenant House Nineline, CUNY School of Law, ECPAT-USA, and the New York State Bar Association Committee on Children and the LawSupported by the CUNY University Affirmative Action Committee of the Diversity Projects Development Fund and the New York Community Trust/Mark Family Fund.
For information visit our website: http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/childrensstudies
In case you're looking for a new class this semester. . .
Are you interested in learning a community-building approach that emphasizes applied creativity, collaboration and everyday democracy? The University of Connecticut’s Creative Community Building program helps individuals and communities look within at their strengths, assets and resources; and provides tools for deliberately collaborating to shape and create the kind of community in which people want to live, work and play. If you are working to promote human rights and social justice, these Spring 2009 courses can help you learn and apply complementary skills and ideas. Please consider signing up now -- and invite your friends, too!
Choose from among four Creative Community Building courses (3 credits each), which will run from January 20 to May 1, 2009. Note: If you know anyone who is 62 or older, s/he can register on a space-available, non-credit basis through the Senior Citizen Audit program for $15/semester. For more information about the audit program, contact the Center for Continuing Studies at 860.486.4631.
GS3088-*91 (12969) BUILDING A COOPERATIVE ECONOMY: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES
Taught by Erbin Crowell, University of Connecticut-Storrs, Wednesdays,
6:00-9:00 p.m.
GS3088-*90 (12956) CREATIVE DEMOCRACY AND COMMUNITY BUILDING
Taught by Len Krimerman, Ph.D., University of Connecticut-Storrs,
Tuesdays, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
GS3088-H90 (13065) CREATIVITY + SOCIAL CHANGE
Taught by Steven Dahlberg, University of Connecticut-Hartford, Tuesdays,
6:30-9:00 p.m.
GS3088-N68 (12923) NONVIOLENCE AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Taught by Joanne Sheehan, University of Connecticut-Avery Point,
Thursdays, 7:00-9:30 p.m.
More details and full course descriptions are available online at
http://www.CreativeCommunityBuilding.org or by calling 860.486.0358.
WHAT PREVIOUS CREATIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING STUDENTS HAVE SAID ABOUT THESE COURSES:
* “I learned a lot about linking creativity to every aspect of my life, not just my artistic work.” - Amanda Stauble
* “I wonder if education in general can be transformed to resemble this course.” - Chris Grohs
* “I learned that there really are other people who struggle and love to create in the face of skeptics in today’s world.” - Kaitlyn Newman
* “I rediscovered my community and am beginning to think that this society is ready to change for the better.” - Robbie Steller
* “I gained so much inspiration that will drive me to use more creative approaches … to affect positive social change.” - Allyssa Milan