- Written by: Ollie Davies
In the first session of the conference, Rt. Hon. Tom Brake MP, as the host gave introductionary, welcoming remarks. Pointing out the need for a balance between human rights and security, he gave current examples of how human rights issues can be overlooked for the sake of securing prosperity and stability such as the issues revolving around internet privacy and security. He stressed that a role of politicians is to contribute to the judgement where the line between of human rights and human security lies. Lord King of West Bromwich, the other host of the conference focused his opening remarks on the denial of human rights and the role that organisations like the Universal Peace Federation can take in helping the dispossessed and underpowered.
- Written by: Meera Tailor
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscious and religion; this right includes one to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
- Written by: Rosie Wilson
In a session entitled Women’s Empowerment and Human Rights organised by the Women's Federation for World Peace, a powerful panel of activists, experts and campaigners reviewed the progress of women's empowerment. Lady Fiona Hodgson CBE, Dr Krishna Ahoojapatel, Ms. Aisha Abdul Latif, and Carolyn Handschin made presentations on women's empowerment. Lady Hodgson was preseented with an Ambassador for Peace award at the conclusion on the session in recognition of her efforts to support women's empowerment in very dangerous circumstances in Afghanistan.
- Written by: Dr Yong Cheon Song
'Human Rights: The Protection of the Un-empowered and the Dispossessed’
EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Committee Room 14, House of Commons
London, England – 15th June, 2012
Distinguished guests, Ambassadors for Peace, Ladies and Gentlemen! As Chair of the Universal Peace Federation in Europe, I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you all to this European Leadership Conference which is dedicated to the theme 'Human Rights: The Protection of the Unempowered and the Dispossessed’. I am very grateful that we are able to meet about these crucial issues in such an iconic place as this “Mother of Parliaments” which has been instrumental over the centuries in advancing human rights and freedoms of un-empowered and dispossessed people around the world. I am thinking for example of its fight to safeguard the rights of the common people against the claim to absolute power of monarchs and its fight for the abolition of slavery.
- Written by: Robin Marsh
15-17 June 2012, London
Some Speaker’s Biographies:
Keldon Alleyne
Keldon Alleyne is a member of the UPF Youth Committee and works with Youth A.I.D. Lewisham, an organisation that helps troubled young people gain skills such as public speaking, counselling skills and training to resolve conflicts.
Dr. Krishna Ahooja-Patel
It was Krishna who came up with the now-famous UN statistic about women: “Women are half of the world’s population, do two-thirds of the work, get one-tenth of the income, and are the owners of one per cent of the property.” In 1962 she joined the UN, a career that was to span 25 years. Professor of International Relations, Representative of WILPF (Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom) to the UN, Co – President to the CoNGO Committee on Development, Dr Ahooja-patel has worked tirelessly, with and for women, for the sake of peace, freedom, religious reconciliation and disarmament.