"...PROMISES TO KEEP..."

It is clear from this report that the preliminary findings show there is more than sufficient interest among Canadian stakeholders for the Government of Canada to proceed with a program of national support for a year to commemorate the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Therefore, we recommend that the government give this matter due attention, and specific recommendations are found below.

At a time when Canadian society is experiencing many strains and economic difficulties, and many places in the world are suffering unacceptable violations of a whole range of human rights, Canadians feel they need to be extra vigilant, they need to feel they are doing something to make a difference in protecting lives.

A number of national organizations, such as the United Nations Association in Canada, stand ready to create strategic partnerships with the non-governmental and governmental organizations to carry out the creative ideas recommended in the cross-Canada consultations. Creative ideas, energy and much volunteer labour can be married to modest resources to produce programs and activities that demonstrate Canada's commitment to the Universal Declaration. It must be stressed that this initiative is larger than the capacities of any single organization. Of equal importance is the recommendation that planning must get underway now in 1996 if a year of activities are to be mounted by mid 1997. By the government acting on this recommendation, the necessary conditions will be created to mark this anniversary in a meaningful and substantive manner.

Responding, therefore, to the desire of Canadians to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with activities of substance, it is recommended:

• That the Government of Canada recognize and respond to the interests of Canadians on this issue and commit itself to marking the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1998;

• That a national enabling structure be established as soon as possible, staffed by a secretariat of paid and seconded staff, to assist the provinces, municipalities, Canadians and their organizations in planning a year of activities to mark the Anniversary (10 December 1997 to 10 December 1998).

• That such a national enabling structure work to promote the congruency between the norms and standards articulated in the Universal Declaration and the values we share as Canadians, and that programming at all levels focus on youth, and a communications strategy that will promote the Universal Declaration to all Canadians.

• That such a national enabling structure encourage the creation of provincial and/or regional committees, and that these Committees develop appropriate support mechanisms to promote community activities to mark the Anniversary. Functions of national and provincial commissions could include:

• To act as a clearing house for the sharing and dissemination of information regarding the Universal Declaration and activities organized to commemorate it, in Canada and internationally;
  • To develop appropriate sectoral committees (arts & culture, education, law & government, service organizations, youth & women) and encourage the organization of events and activities;

  • To identify potential sources of funding for community activities and initiatives organized by national organizations;

  • To prepare and/or acquire and distribute print and electronic information and resources to support community activities and to respond to inquiries from abroad;

  • To develop and implement a comprehensive national communications strategy that would market the Universal Declaration and Human Rights throughout the year.

• That the national enabling structure be suitably financed to permit an effective support presence in all regions of the country;

• That financial assistance be made available by the Government of Canada using a matching-dollar-formula with the provinces, Foundations, and private sector participation to assist in financing community and national projects;

• That the budget of the Human Rights Directorate of the Department of Canadian Heritage be restored to reflect interest in the Anniversary of the Universal Declaration and the UN-declared Decade for Human Rights Education;

• That suitable means be found to publicize and commemorate the contributions of Canadians like John Peters Humphrey and others to the Universal Declaration and to human rights in Canada and abroad;

• That the Minister responsible for Canadian Heritage convene a national conference of Ministers responsible for Human rights in anticipation of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that the agenda include:
  • The consideration of activities related to the Anniversary;

  • Ongoing plans to participate in the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education;

  • A status-report on human rights education in the classroom;

  • The impact in Canada of structural adjustment on human rights - how human rights can be protected in an era of downsizing and streamlining;

  • Legislative compliance with International Conventions and national codes;

  • How the Internet can be used to promote Human Rights and discourage the proliferation of hatred and discrimination.

• That the Government of Canada call upon the United Nations and the international community to mark the Anniversary of the Universal Declaration in an appropriate and public manner.

• That the Minister of Foreign Affairs appoint a Special Envoy to the United Nations and to the Commission for Human Rights to assist it in undertaking initiatives to mark the Anniversary;

• That the Government of Canada launch a special fund and encourage other nations to contribute to enable the UN Human Rights Centre to operate with greater effectiveness;

• That the Government of Canada host an international conference on the emerging role of civil society and the United Nations. This conference would also review Plans of Action established by governments at the World Conference on Human Rights in 1993;

• That the Government of Canada, in anticipation of the Anniversary and in cooperation with the United Nations, convene a well-publicized Special Meeting of Experts to consider the most appropriate means to promote human rights and discourage the proliferation of hatred and discrimination through the electronic media and on the Internet in particular.