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| Call for papers: "Intergenerational Conference: Human Rights as a Tool for Social Change", 7-13 August 2005, University of Connecticut, USA |
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The UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights at the University of Connecticut, USA, invites application from young human rights leaders (ages 18-30) from around the world to participate in an inter-generational educational conference, scheduled for August 7 - 13,2005. Selected young people will engage through dialogue with experienced and older human rights practitioners to gain management skills and techniques and a greater understanding of human rights issues on a global level. A principal objective is to nurture individuals to be effective leaders in the field of human rights.
The conference is premised on the presumption that every new generation of human rights leaders builds on the work of those who came before it. In today's increasingly interdependent global world, where actions or events in any part of the global system have impact on people in other regions of the world, there is a need to build a network of solidarity and to nurture a new cadre of human rights leaders who can educate others to meet the complex and multifaceted challenges of the new millennium. We must remember that although the circumstances under which the new generation of leaders operates are different, the issues that confront them are not fundamentally new to humanity and the types of strategies that would help them tackle the various issues need not be completely reinvented.
The Intergenerational Conference seeks to promote the sharing of experiences and understanding of, and provide an impetus for, the empowerment of youth leaders that will enable them to play a crucial and constructive role in the development of human rights in their communities. The conference hopes to provide tools and a platform for open debates about policies, programs, activities and processes necessary for human rights leadership.
Participants at the conference will be individuals from all over the world who have been involved in some capacity in human rights work in their communities. Participants will receive training in areas such as grassroots organizing, building coalitions, effective communication, use of media for human rights education, and understanding of the processes and relevance of restorative justice. It is planned that discussions will be conducted under the rubric of four principal areas; namely poverty, education, health conflict resolution and/or transformation.Specific areas of focus will include issues such as human trafficking, the plight of children, refugees and war, hunger, HIV/AIDS, religious intolerance, gender discrimination, racism and classism, peace education and environmental concerns. Conference facilitators will serve in an ongoing capacity as mentors to the young conference participants upon their return to their home countries.
Conference will be held in English only.
Application and Registration Information:
Applications will be accepted by email (unescochair@uconn.edu), or via fax 860.486.2545 up until May 30, 2005; confirmation letters will be sent by email to selected participants on June 7 to provide time for visa applications and travel arrangements. A packet with the final program and background materials will be sent to participants along with the letter of confirmation.
Accommodations:
The UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights will cover lodging, meals, and ground transportation for all selected participants.
Accommodations will be made available in the South Campus air-conditioned residence hall, which consists of quad suites. Double occupancy refers to four people sharing a suite (two people sharing each bedroom and four people sharing the bathroom). Rooms will be assigned upon acceptance into program. All dorms on the UConn campus are non-smoking, however, designated smoking areas are posted outside of the dorms.
Special Needs:
Single rooms with private bath for individuals with special needs are extremely limited and will be assigned to individuals needing such accommodation. Some areas of campus are not easily accessible to people with disabilities and anyone with a disability is urged to contact the Accessible Van for transportation around campus. More information on this will be included in the "Welcome Packet" that will be sent to participants upon receipt of registration information.
Travel:
Air Travel
Participants will be responsible for their own airfare to Hartford, Connecticut. Travel scholarships are available for participants from developing countries (application deadline for those seeking travel scholarship is May 20). If you would like to be considered for travel scholarship, please be sure to include in the application essay the reasons why you would like to be considered for travel assistance.
Ground Transportation
A shuttle service will be provided from Bradley International Airport, Hartford/Springfield to the University of Connecticut Storrs campus.
Preliminary Schedule:
Sunday, August 7, 2005
Conference Guests Arrive
Monday August 8, 2005
Informal/team building activities
Welcome dinner
Tuesday August 9, 2005
Opening Plenary Session: Human Rights as a Tool for Social Change
Keynote Address Tools for Human Rights Leaders of Tomorrow
1.Media/Communications (Proposal Writing, Human Rights Reporting)
2. Conflict Resolution/Restorative Justice
3. Organizing (Coalition Building, Advocacy, NGO's/Civil Society)
4. Procedures (Fact Finding)
Wednesday August 10, 2005
Workshop Sessions focusing on Poverty
Evening panel discussions on careers in the international field
Thursday August 11, 2005
Workshop Sessions on Health
Workshop Sessions on Education
Small group sessions on regional strategy and project implementation
Formulation of Action Plans
Friday August 12, 2005 - International Youth Day Bus trip to the United Nations, New York International Youth Day Activities Debriefing and Farewell Dinner
Saturday August 13, 2005
Departure
Please note: All conference participants will be provided with resource materials (i.e. website/listserv information), certificate of participation, lodging, meals and ground transportation. As post-conference follow-up, the UNESCO Chair will also establish a website and group e-mail distribution list (listserv) to allow for the support and continuation of the work started at the conference. The website and listserv will also enable participants to remain in contact with their mentors and with one other.
Application Form Requirements:
Full Name
Home Address
Home City
Home State Zip
Home Country
Home Phone
Home Email
School
School Address
School City
School State Zip
School Country
School Phone
School Email
I am: female/ male
I plan to arrive on (date); I plan to depart on (date)
I understand that unless I specifically request otherwise, any photograph(s) taken of me at the conference may be used in print and electronic publications produced by the UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights.
Education: Institution/Major/Degree: ------------------- Year expected to graduate, or year graduated:
Application Essay (must be typed):
Please submit in English on a separate sheet describing a) your reasons for applying to this program, b) your main fields of interests in the program, and c) how you hope to benefit from the program.
Action Proposal (must be typed):
Please submit in English a one-page proposal on the human rights issue of concern that you would like to address at the conference and when you return home:
- Topic or problem statement
- What you hope to learn by attending the conference
Non-Governmental Organization with which you are affiliated:
NGO Address:
NGO Telephone number:
NGO Mailing address:
NGO Contact Individual:
Special skills and experiences that may be relevant:
Do you have access to computer and Internet?
Current Employment:
Volunteer activities:
Signature Date:
By my signature, I certify that all personal, academic and residency information given on this application is complete and accurate.Failure to disclose accurately all facts relating to this application may be grounds for denial of acceptance, and/or dismissal from program.
If you have questions regarding the application/registration, program content, special needs requirements, or housing, please call the UNESCO Chair Office at 860-486-0647 or email unescochair@uconn.edu.
ALL applications must be submitted by email or fax no later than May 30, 2005 to unescochair@uconn.edu fax: 860.486.2545
* Please note that due to the volume of applications, only successful candidates will be informed.
Please visit: http://www.unescochair.uconn.edu for application information
University of Connecticut
UNESCO Chair & Institute of Comparative Human Rights
233 Glenbrook Road, Unit 4124
Storrs, CT 06269-4124
860.486.0647 Phone
860.486.2545 Fax
http://www.unescochair.uconn.edu |
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