Remembering Gerald L. Gall
As programming is coming together for the upcoming Ignite Change Global Convention to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNUDHR), we reflect on and honour the history of JHC and our connection to the UDHR.
John Peters Humphrey was a Canadian legal scholar, jurist and human rights advocate. In 1946, he was appointed as the first Director of the Human Rights Division in the United Nations Secretariat, and was the principal author of the first draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He is the origin of our organization’s namesake, John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights.
JHC came into being in 1999, shortly after the UDHR 50th Anniversary commemorative event held in November 1998 that launched the “Universal Rights and Human Values: A Blueprint for Peace, Justice and Freedom” which brought together speakers such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, her Excellency Mary Robinson, and the Right Honourable Antonio Lamer. This event was the largest global commemoration and reflection of the 50th Anniversary of the UDHR and also established Edmonton as a Human Rights City.
The John Humphrey Centre was then founded in the following year in 1999 under the leadership of our founding fathers - Gurcharan Singh Bhatia, Jack O’Neill, and Gerald L. Gall, and evolved out of the Human Rights Education Foundation originally founded by John Peters Humphrey himself in Montreal, who also taught as a professor and whom Professor Gall studied under. Today the organization in Montreal is known as Equitas.
Professor Gerald L. Gall was a teacher, writer, and attorney; an inspiration, leader, mentor and friend to the JHC Board and staff. He served as President of JHC for many years and also a Professor of Law at the University of Alberta for over 35 years, teaching constitutional law, human rights, civil liberties and foundations to law. He was former Executive Director of the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice, served on several boards of directors, and authored numerous editions of The Canadian Legal System, a highly acclaimed introductory law text that has been translated into several languages for use abroad.
While his work encompassed constitutional law, and the administration of justice in Canada, Gerald Gall is known for his deep commitment to the advancement of human rights:
"As a distinguished teacher, writer and lawyer, Professor Gall dedicated himself to the cause of human rights to the benefit of all Canadians. His record of accomplishments stands as a testament to what can be achieved through a commitment to excellence in scholarship and public service.
He has been widely honoured for his contributions in the field of human rights. In 1995, the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission recognized his work and achievements by awarding him the prestigious Alberta Human Rights Award. He was also the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee and the Alberta Centennial medals. Professor Gall was the 2010 recipient of the Law Society of Alberta and the Canadian Bar Association (Alberta) Distinguished Service Award for Legal Scholarship. In 2001, Professor Gall was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada."
(John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights, 2011)
On March 8, 2012, the John Humphrey Centre lost a founding father. While it has been over 10 years since Gerald left us, his legacy continues to inspire and drive forward our work at JHC. We continue to envision a world that manifests a culture of peace and rights, honouring those who built our foundations and for those whom we strive to support and serve. To honour Gerald’s legacy we created a specific award in his memory called the Gerald L. Gall Award. It is awarded for outstanding contribution to and demonstrated excellence in the protection and promotion of human rights in Canada through legislative change. Presented at JHC’s annual Human Rights Awards, past distinguished recipients include Patricia Paradis, Allan Garber, Robert P. Lee, Dennis Edney and Bernadette Iahtail.
The 75th Anniversary of the UNUDHR gives us occasion to once again remember and pay tribute to all that our namesake and founders contributed to JHC, to justice, and to human rights worldwide. We ask you to help us honour their legacy and dedication by donating to the Gerald Gall Legacy Fund and support the ongoing work JHC continues to do to advance dignity, freedom, justice, and security for all.