Dear Westwood Unitarian,
We hope this letter finds you well and in good health. We are reaching out today to let you and your patrons know about an upcoming global convention to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. From December 1-10, 2023, partners are working together to host a series of online events to bring together civil society, academics and decision makers in dialogue, learning and action on human rights. The Ignite Change Now! Global Human Rights Convention will profile and facilitate public discourse on the principles and values instilled within the Universal Declaration while bringing together civil society, academics and decision makers in dialogue, learning and action on human rights. Our hope is that attendees will walk away with a strengthened commitment, confidence and capacity for a movement of action towards the advancement of dignity, justice, peace, and freedom for all.
Day 8 of the Convention, falling on December 8, 2023, will focus on the theme of “Dignity in Poverty – Building a Just Future”. The tactics of withholding access to food and basic needs, closing borders and access, impeding agriculture and interrupting traditional hunting and growing are all tactics that have been used to force populations into poverty and starvation. We are thrilled to already have confirmed speakers including Federal Housing Advocate, Marie-Josée Houle, Junaid B. Jahangir, an Associate Professor of Economics at MacEwan University, and additional programming from groups including CEASE, Bear Claw Patrol and Self-Advocacy Federation.
This day will also feature the 15th Annual Genocide Memorial Service at the Shiloh Baptist Church (10727 114 Street NW, Edmonton) on December 8, 2023 at 7:00 pm. Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the 15th Annual Genocide Memorial Service, sponsored by the Edmonton Interfaith Centre for Education and Advocacy, will pay homage to and bear witness to the many forms of genocide that have and are taking place in our world today. The annual memorial service was initiated by Reverend Audrey Brooks and began as a witness to violence committed against human beings because of war, greed, ethnic cleansing, slavery, gender bias, and colonial expropriation of Indigenous lands that has resulted in the mass extinction of helpless families.
We would be honoured to have you engage in events like the Genocide Memorial and throughout the Convention and welcome you to share the information with your patrons as well. You can review the brief (linked above) to view the various themes that will be explored throughout the 10 days of the Convention. You can visit the Ignite Change Website at https://www.ignitechangeconvention.ca to check out pricing options for attendance. We look forward to connecting with you and appreciate your support in advance to inspire a global collective of human rights defenders towards meaningful connection and action. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at ignitechange@jhcentre.org.
In Peace,
Jessica Kinsella (she/her)
Project Coordinator
John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights
ᐊᒥᐢᑿᒌᐚᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ (Amiskwacîwâskahikan) Treaty 6/Métis Territory
Cell: (780) 977-1911
Email: jessica@jhcentre.org
