Universal Peace Federation
Women's Federation for World Peace
European Economic and Social Committee
European Leadership Conference
December 4th – 5th 2012, Brussels
“How Can Europe Do More to Advance
Human Rights”
Commemorating Human Rights Day 2012
Brussels - European Parliament & European Economic and Social Committee
The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) in cooperation with the Women's Federation for World Peace (WFWP) and The European Economic & Social Committee, cordially invites you to attend our European Leadership Conference (ELC) "What More Can Europe Do To Advance Human Rights?" on Tuesday December 4th and Wednesday December 5th 2012 in Brussels.
The conference will take advantage of the spotlight that U.N. Human Right's Day will shine on this area to consider ongoing human rights campaigns by these three organisations. The Brussels ELC is part of a series that have featured issues of pressing concern for Europe and the world such as the treatment of minorities, religious freedom, violence against women, torture (with Freedom from Torture) or youth human rights issues in different venues across Europe. (Please see programme below.) These have been held during 2011-2012 at the United Nations in Geneva and in Vienna, at UNESCO in Paris, in National Parliaments in the United Kingdom and in Norway, and in the Presidential Palace in Malta. These issues are also raised in many local branches of UPF and WFWP throughout Europe. Europe has led the world in advancing understanding and implementation of Human Rights everywhere.
International participants should arrive in Brussels by the evening of 3rd December and will be accommodated in the Thon Hotel EU Rue de la Loi 75 B-1040 Brussels (Tel: +32 (0)2 204 3911). A fee of 320 Euros will include a two night stay (with departure on 5th December) sharing a twin bedded room with meals and all aspects of the programme on 4th and 5th December (extra nights 80 Euros per person in twin bedded accommodation, single accommodation extra 140 Euros per night).
To notify us of your wish to attend, please use the Online Registration link. We look forward to hearing from you soon and hope that you will be able to join us for this very timely and meaningful conference.
Yours Sincerely,
Robin Marsh Margaret Ali
Secretary General Director
UPF - UK UPF - UK
07956210768 07723024750
European Economic and Social Committee
Universal Peace Federation
Women's Federation for World Peace
Monday, 3rd December
From 14:00 Arrivals and Registration for international guests at ‘Thon EU’ Hotel, Brussels
18.00 Dinner (international participants to make own meal arrangements)
Tuesday, 4th December - European Economic & Social Committee
07:30 Breakfast at hotel
08:45 Depart Hotel
09:15 SESSION I: European Economic & Social Committee (“E.E.S.C.”)
How can Europe do more to advance Human Rights?
Hon. Doudou Diene: UN Human Rights Office of the High Commission
Aaron Rhodes - Former Director of Helsinki Federation for Human Rights
Dr. Yong Cheon Song - Chair UPF Europe
10:45 Break
11:15 SESSION II:
How can Inter-religious cooperation Prevent Racial, National and Religious Prejudice?
Rabbi Abbittan
Shiekh Dr Hojjatt Ramzy
Prof. Chris Wonk
12:45 Lunch
14:15 SESSION III:
Women & Democracy
Krishna Ahooja Patel - Chair of U.N. N.G.O. Committee on Development and Former Director General of U.N.R.I.S.T.
Carolyn Handschin - President Womens Federation for World Peace, Europe
Angela Melo UNESCO, Director of Social Inclusion and Youth, UNESCO
15:45 Break
16:00 SESSION IV:
Human Rights in Europe - Social Cohesion, Immigration and Minorities
Peter Zoehrer - Secretary-General Forum for Religious Freedom, Austria
Hans Van Baalen - M.E.P "Human Rights and Freedom of Opinion".
Aaron Rhodes - Former Director of Helsinki Federation for Human Rights
“Expressing prejudice and freedom of speech”
Willy Fautré - Director Human Rights without Frontiers, Brussels
Christian Brunner - Former Vice-Chancellor University of Graz
Patricia Duval - Attorney and Expert on Religious Freedom & the Law
17:30 Depart from E.E.S.C. to Thon Hotel
19:00 Dinner and Cultural Programme
21:30 Close
Wednesday, 5th December Human Rights Day 2012
07:00 Breakfast at the hotel
08:30 Depart for morning venue (tba)
09.00 Session V:
Youth Perspectives: The Right to Information for Young People &
Human Rights Education - Foundations for a Democratic Europe
What is the role of the Right to Information and Human Rights Education in securing and fostering Human Rights and Democracy in Europe? Is the right to information for young people in Europe under threat? If so, from what? What strategies are there to ensure the Right to Information for young people in Europe? What role do direct stakeholders governments, NGOs, schools, families or peers etc. play in Human Rights Education for young people?
Davide Capecchi - Director, European Youth Information & Counselling Agency – “ERYICA”.
IIlaria Esposito , Member of the Council of Europe - Advisory Council on Youth, Trainer for Human Rights Education
Bogdan Pammer , Youth Director, Universal Peace Federation – Europe
10:30 Break
11:00 Session VI:
Towards Peace Loving Global Citizenship
As a Peace Loving Global Citizen - UPF’s Origins and Founder’s concern for Human Rights - Dieter Schmidt - President UPF Germany
Womens’ Federation for World Peace – Vision Projects & Activities (Human Rights emphasis)
Carolyn Handschin - President WFWP Europe
Universal Peace Federation – Vision, Projects & Activities (with emphasis on Human Rights)
Mark Brann - Secretary General UPF Europe
Ambassador for Peace Awards
12.30 Lunch
13.30 Depart for European Parliament
14:00 Prevention & Eradication of Torture - Session Co-Sponsored with Freedom from Torture
Dr Charles Tannock MEP
Keith Best – C.E.O Freedom from Torture
Philomene Uwamaliya - ‘Survivors Speaking Out’
15.00 Break
15:20 Prevention of Sexual Violence in the Conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Chair: Dr Charles Tannock MEP
Humphrey Hawksley - BBC World Affairs Correspondent
Charlotte Simon - Personal experience of the tragedy in Eastern DRC.
Chris Yates - ‘Exposing the Conflict Mineral Trade’
Robin Marsh – Secretary General Universal Peace Federation UK: Concluding Remarks
For More Information:
Robin Marsh: Mobile: 07956210768 Office: 02072620985
UPF is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
Please see: Global UPF Activities 2011 Review of UPF-UK Activities in 2011 Human Rights Conference Dec 2011