"...PROMISES TO KEEP..."

Scope and Purpose

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed at the United Nations on December I0, 1948 is one of the most important international initiatives of the 20th century. Its unanimous adoption by the General Assembly was a remarkable achievement. It, at once, transcended the disparate political ideologies of the day while drawing upon the universal principles inherent in diverse religious and cultural traditions. For nearly fifty years the Universal Declaration has been a vibrant, moral conscience to the world community. It provides international norms and standards to which the international community is expected to adhere and by which to condemn the actions of nation-states that trample the rights of their own citizens.

The values we share - respect for the rule of law and the dignity of the person, fairness and equitable treatment, tolerance and the acceptance of diversity and the fundamental principle of democratic participation are inherent both in our Canadian human rights legislation and in the Universal Declaration. However, to the relatively few Canadians familiar with its existence, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a somewhat "distant and esoteric document replete with fine sounding principles and noble aspirations."

The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA - Canada) asked the Chair of its Standing Committee on Human Rights, the Honourable Walter McLean, if he would undertake a process of national consultation to determine the interest among Canadians in commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration by participating in activities and concrete programmes of action during 1998 that could demonstrate the practical application of the Universal Declaration in our everyday lives. If the overall response was deemed to be positive, the results of the consultations would then be used to transform political interest into political will, to encourage the governments of Canada and the provinces to create the necessary conditions to mark this important anniversary in a meaningful and substantive manner.

Methodology

To anchor this "Declaration Project", the Chair of the Standing Committee secured the seconded services of Peter Andre Globensky, a senior staff member of the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development. Financial assistance was obtained from the Federal Department of Canadian Heritage, the CRB Foundation, VIA Rail and other contributors. An Ottawa-based consultancy, South-House Exchange was engaged to assist in the process.

The national consultation strategy focused on direct interviews with critical stakeholders across Canada. These included individual interviews and focus group or round table meetings with three key constituencies: non-government organizations, community groups and First Nation communities working in the fields of social justice and human rights; statutory human rights agencies including Human Rights Commissions and Offices of the Ombudsman; and, the political leadership (legislative and executive) at the federal and provincial level, including ministers responsible for human rights and numerous parliamentarians. The process was further complemented by the distribution of a comprehensive questionnaire soliciting response.

Structured interviews, focus group meetings and consultations were held in 15 cities in all 10 provinces across Canada. Over 350 representatives of non-government organizations representing a broad spectrum of Canadian civil society were consulted. In all, eight of ten provincial ministers responsible for human rights were consulted as were the Premier of Manitoba, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Office of the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the House Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs and Human Rights along with numerous federal and provincial parliamentarians and senior government officials. Messrs. McLean and Globensky also met with all statutory Human Rights Commissions and Offices of the Ombudsman. Six additional focus groups were organized in Ottawa including a most impressive and encouraging consultation with youth. The consultation process began in February of 1996 and was completed in June of the same year.

Findings

The national consultation determined that interest in commemorating the anniversary is significant at all levels. Responses in all cases were "beyond polite" and ranged from enthusiasm to full commitment permitting us to conclude that their is a broad sentiment throughout the country that human rights are "front and centre values" which define the essence of our identity as Canadians. As such they should never be misconstrued as the preserve of a special interest group. A number of key themes emerged from the consultations. First and foremost, stakeholders and participants underscored the importance of developing a comprehensive, attractive, educational and memorable communication strategy at the national and local level that would "tell the stories of human rights and the Universal Declaration" so that as large an audience as possible could relate to and be informed by the messages communicated. Strong was the desire to allow people to tell their own stories ... to talk about the contribution that Canadians have made to foster the spirit of human rights in their own communities. To allow all Canadians, for example, to share their pride in the remarkable accomplishments of Canadian jurist John Peters Humphrey from Montreal who prepared the initial draft of the Universal Declaration.

As important, participants stressed the critical necessity of involving youth and the "next generation of leaders and citizens" in commemorating the anniversary of the Universal Declaration. In fact, the preoccupation was both consistent and overwhelming. Numerous creative strategic approaches were suggested to reach young people both through the "formal" process of education (curriculum, print information) and the informal or extracurricular channels (music, gatherings, hobbies and interests). MuchMusic, for example has renewed its interest in creating programming that would reflect and attract youth interest in human rights.

Numerous other themes emerged in our discussions, foremost among them a utilization of the Anniversary as a year of activities (10 December 1997 - I0 December 1998) that would remind Canadians of the rights, advantages and challenges of a diversified multicultural, multifaceted society. A participant in the Fredericton round table reminded us that "we celebrate any number of days in the year around which human rights activities could be organized - International Women's Day, Day to End Racial Discrimination, Aboriginal Heritage Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, etc."

Cited as frequently and reflecting current policies of redefining social programmes and expenditures was a concern among participants for the social and economic rights of Canadians and other citizens of the world community. Suggestions were made to provide opportunities for Canadians to share their stories of economic self-sufficiency and survival in a world seemingly overtaken by a preoccupation with bottom-lines.

Also frequently mentioned was the perceived importance of re-engendering Canada as "a caring community, where the enjoyment of rights also exact concomitant responsibilities to our fellow citizens." That 1997 is the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Citizenship Act gave all reason to pause and consider the linkages between rights and responsibilities. Additional themes related to the continuing plight of aboriginal peoples in Canada and the numerous "promises to keep in our own backyard." Concerns and programme ideas also emerged on the questions of privacy and technology and the role and effectiveness of the United Nations in defending human rights within the world community. Capitalizing on Canada's deserved international reputation in this arena, proposals were put forth as well, for international action that the government of Canada could undertake to mark the Declaration year. One participant suggested that Canada host an international conference that would examine the emerging role between the United Nations and civil society.

Key Conditions

In suggesting themes, approaches and ideas for activities, many Canadians were careful to dramatically underscore a process that would encourage success in this endeavour. Participants informed us that if this commemoration is going to work, if the anniversary is going to be marked with activities of substance, a number of conditions would be fundamental:

First, programmes and activities will have to emerge from the level of the local community. A top-down approach will not work. Something "laid-on" from central Canada will be counter-productive. Communities contain natural coalitions or constituencies that could come together when needed to create the kind of programming that would be most meaningful and relevant.

Secondly, we were told repeatedly that national and provincial structures created to mark the year are essential, but their role would be to act as a clearing house of information, to provide resources, and to "excite and incite," but not to organize community-level activities. The predominant role of a national structure to commemorate the year would be to develop a comprehensive communications strategy to "market human rights and the Universal Declaration" to the public and to provide support for a modest number of national programmes developed by national organizations or institutions. The recommendations and appendices suggest the creation of a national enabling structure where provincial and regional representation would be assured and where its function is essentially supportive and facilitative.

Conclusions and Recommendations

It is our conclusion that there is sufficient interest among Canadian stakeholders for the Government of Canada to proceed with a programme of national support to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As time is pressing, we also recommend that the governments of Canada and the provinces seize the moment and begin the planning process immediately so that appropriate signals can be sent and action planned to meet the demands of the anniversary year.

A number of national organizations like the United Nations Association in Canada stand ready to create strategic partnerships with the Government of Canada where creative ideas, energy and much volunteer labour can be married to modest resources to produce programmes and activities that demonstrate Canada's commitment to the Universal Declaration. This initiative, nevertheless, is larger then the capacities of any single organization.

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

• 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 participants 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 on 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 Centre for Human Rights 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.

Interest in the "Declaration Project" has been significant and there is a genuine desire to plan and implement creative initiatives that would involve Canadians in marking the anniversary. The hundreds of non-government organizations with which we consulted offered innovation and creativity in response to our challenge. The majority of these ideas are captured in the report "101 Ideas to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary." Virtually all responded positively asked if they could include a significant reference to the Universal Declaration in their on-going programming in 1998. Many expressed a strong desire to participate in alliance with others to plan and undertake "stand-alone events" to familiarize Canadians with the Universal Declaration.

More than one minister responsible made a commitment to have the initiative discussed at Cabinet with a proposal to mark the year. And a provincial premier promised to raise the matter at this summer's meeting of Premiers and to include it in a forthcoming Throne Speech. Others suggested the importance of establishing provincial coordinating committees as a means of encouraging citizen participation. Some went so far as to offer modest resources to assist with the planning and implementation of activities.

Virtually all offices of the Ombudsman offered to carry the message of the Universal Declaration in their public presentations, in their literature and annual reports. Some eagerly embraced the coming anniversary as a means to publicly connect their work with the principles in the Declaration.

Every Human Rights Commission or Council in Canada is prepared to mark the year in creative and substantive ways. In Edmonton, Commission members spoke of their interest in organizing a provincial gathering of youth to examine the relevance of the Universal Declaration and human rights to their experience. In Nova Scotia the Commission volunteered to provide leadership in programmes of public education and the coordination of activities to mark the year.

With the conclusion of this consultation phase of the Declaration Project, it is imperative that the momentum generated by the interest of stakeholders be maintained and encouraged. It is hoped that governments will rise to this challenge.