Human Rights Around Europe - Plenary Session

'Commemorating Human Rights Day 2011: How Far Have We Progressed?'

Plenary Session ‘Human Rights Around Europe’

Lord King of West Bromwich (Patron of UPF UK) and the session’s host Rt. Hon. Tom Brake MP welcomed the international conference participants to the historic Committee Room 14 in the House of Commons. Mrs Carolyn Handschin (President WFWPI - Europe) said that a commemoration of human rights is also a celebration of human dignity. Prof. Lord Bhiku Parekh stated that Human Rights must include socio-economic rights. He expressed his concern that “rights are being chipped away” by budget cuts, “the war on immigration” and the practice of “stop and search” by British police. Rt. Hon. Baroness Scotland of Asthal QC, (speech link) Britain’s first black female Attorney General (2007-2010) shared her experiences in combating domestic violence in Britain. “Peace at home is a fundamental human right, which must be protected unconditionally” she stated, and reminded that “1 in 4 women in the UK was a victim of domestic violence.” In recent years this figure could be improved to 1 in 6. Baroness Scotland encouraged those present to be involved in the ‘For the Women in My Life’ campaign she is promoting in her capacity as Patron of ‘Eliminate Domestic Violence – Global Foundation.’

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'New Vision for Human Rights' by Dr. Yong Cheon Song

European Leadership Conference, Committee Room 14, House of Commons, London, England 

“Commemorating U.N. Human Rights Day 2011: How Far Have We Progressed?”

Distinguished guests, Ambassadors for Peace, Ladies and Gentlemen! First of all, as Chair of Universal Peace Federation in Europe, allow me to warmly welcome you all to this European Leadership Conference which is aligned with this week’s United Nations’ “Human Rights Day”, 

I am very grateful that so large and distinguished a body of people as yourselves, with a deep interest and concern to protect Human Rights and Freedoms, has taken the trouble to gather here for this conference. The advancement of the Human Rights of all peoples is an essential part of the core mission of Universal Peace Federation and, we believe, a key element in building lasting world peace. Championing the rights and freedoms of others takes deep and selfless dedication and commitment,  and we truly appreciate all those who undertake such work.

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Jack Corley Chair of UPF - UK

Respected Lord King, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is an honour to have this opportunity to share some thoughts on the issue under discussion at this prestigious venue.

As you know, the topic for discussion is Family and Gangs. At first glance, you might think there could not possibly be any connection between those two. In fact, you might say that nothing could be more opposite than family and gangs. And yet, if we ask ourselves why a young person would want to join a gang, we may find many are motivated by a desire to experience some things that they feel are missing from their lives – the kinds of things that only a family can provide.

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'Action Againts Gangs' Cllr Liaquat Ali, London Borough of Waltham Forest

Cllr. Liaquat Ali MBE  JP. Cabinet member Community Safety & Cohesion, explained the anti-gang strategy and work in the London Borough of Waltham Forest in a meeting hosted by Lord King of West Bromwich and organised by the Universal Peace Federation - UK, in the House of Lords on November 28th.

'Waltham Forest has developed a highly successful programme for encouraging gang members out of gangs. Our gang project help those who are deeply entrenched in gang culture, those who are most at risk of joining gangs and those who are affected by their family members' destructive choices. Uniquely, the programme works with the whole family and attempts to address the many different factors that can draw people towards a life of crime. We work with skills and employment opportunities, with education, but working with the gang members' families is a highly significant factor in the success of our efforts.'

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Narasser Gordon - 'Family and Gangs'

House of Lords, November 28th, 2011

One Monday night there was a look at the importance of family background in the prevention of gangs and gang related crimes. A powerful testimony was recounted by Narraser Rochelle Gordon who has a wide experience of strong family roots through her grandparents, of dysfunctional parental role models, of gang culture and the tragedy of gun and knife violence. She joined STOP, Solve This Ongoing Problem, a group that encourages gang members to leave gangs and a way of violence. It has been her passion to lead her peers to avoid the tragedy that she has seen too often. Other testimonies of gang membership followed by life changing experiences were given by Adam Nazar and Quince Garcia.

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Human Rights Day 2011 Dec 9th - 10th, 2011

"Commemorating Human Rights Day 2011: How Far Have We Progressed?"
December 9th - 10th, 2011
United Kingdom's Houses of Parliament and St Giles Hotel, London

We would like to extend a cordial invitation to you to attend a UPF European Conference on December 8^th -10^th to Commemorate Human Rights Day 2011. There is a draft programme below. The European Leadership Conference (ELC) sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP), is to be held in the United Kingdom on December 8th - 10th, 2011.

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