International and National Mechanisms for Human Rights and Peace
On the ninth day of the Ignite Change Global Convention, both Global Anti-Corruption Day and the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of Genocide intertwined, centering the focus on international and national mechanisms for human rights and the long walk toward peace.
Rooting participants in the historic legacy of human rights policy and advocacy, scholars Yasmeen Abu-Laban and Abigail Bakan unpacked the complex role of the UN since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. Their discussion illuminated the dual nature of the UN as both a beacon of hope and a site of contestation, where state and non-state actors grapple with the ideals of universality amidst ongoing inequalities.
Other panels explored the crucial role of civil society in holding the government accountable for its human rights obligations, Canada’s participation in the Organization of American States (OAS) and its implications for regional human rights discourse, practical and actionable approaches to enhancing accountability for human and child rights within public policy, and the integral role of human rights commissions in the educational landscape.
The session Activists-in-Exile in Canada, hosted by the Human Rights Research and Education Centre at the University of Ottawa, spotlighted remarkable human rights defenders residing in Canada who continue to advocate for change globally. Speakers Neven Melek, Olha Chernovol, and Shabnam Salehi discussed the challenges they have faced as activists and highlighted the need for Canadian policies that address transnational repression.
Together, these sessions formed a discourse mosaic on human rights, accountability, and advocacy, echoing a resolute commitment to honouring the victims of genocide while striving for a more just and equitable world.
We encourage you to spend some time exploring some or all of the fascinating and important presentations from Day 9 of the Ignite Change Global Convention, found below. Each presentation and the folks behind them contribute to building a Canada that upholds its human rights obligations.
Ignite Change Day 9
Presentation Playlist