News & Updates

2019 Steering Committee Nominations

by hreusa

Interested in helping shape the future of human rights education? Then consider nominating yourself or a colleague to join HRE USA’s Steering Committee. 

Our rules call for the election every summer of new Steering Committee members to replace retiring members. This year there are 2 open seats to be filled, and we invite all members to make nominations for their replacements. You may nominate anyone who fits the criteria for membership and can fulfill the responsibilities of Steering Committee members, including nominating yourself!

Brief biographies of current Steering Committee members can be viewed here. A ballot will be sent to all HRE USA members in July.

Elected Steering Committee members will serve a three-year term beginning in August 2019.

DEADLINE: TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2019

>> Learn more
>> Nomination Form

For further inquiries, please contact Emily Farell

Housing Justice Conference

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EVENT DETAILS: 

When: August 2-3, 2019
Where: CUNY Law School, NYC
Cost: Free and open to the public
Theme: Affordable for Whom? Organizing and Development Strategies for Housing Justice

>> See conference program
>> Register

As cities across the country struggle with rising housing costs and displacement, public recognition of the need for affordable housing is increasing. At the same time, organizers and activists–led by working-class people of color–are proposing bold, community-controlled solutions, and keeping a key question at the forefront: “Affordable for whom?” 

Coalitions of activists, practitioners, and academics around the country have successfully created deep affordability–even in expensive land markets–through community land trusts, cooperatives, mutual housing associations, tenant associations, and much more. 

Affordable For Whom? is a two-day convening focused on the development and preservation of housing that is permanently affordable. Featuring presenters from California to the Deep South to the Northeast, all working to build a national movement to transform our relationship to land and housing. Conference activities will include panel discussions, popular education activities, and strategy and planning sessions related to four interrelated elements of deeply, permanently affordable housing:

  • Innovative models of community-controlled land and housing
  • Stewardship practices that support permanent affordability
  • Creative financing and funding for deeply affordable housing
  • Public policies determined by community priorities

>> See conference program
>> Register

Conference Organizers:  CUNY Law School, NESRI, Picture the Homeless; Right to the City Alliance; New York City Community Land Initiative (NYCCLI) 

Teaching Tolerance Workshops

by hreusa

Teaching Tolerance is offering the following day-long workshops in Boston and Phoenix:

  • Social Justice Teaching 101— learn how to effectively implement culturally responsive instruction in your classroom.
  • Facilitating Critical Conversations— learn how to talk openly about the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of social inequality and discrimination.

These workshops are ideal for educators working in K–12 classrooms or schools of education, administrators and those who work with or coach them. Join us for one or both! The cost of each workshop is $35. It covers workshop materials, coffee, lunch and a certificate of completion for credit hours. Group rates are available. Space is limited. 

BOSTON DATES
August 16, 2019  | Social Justice Teaching 101 
August 17, 2019 | Facilitating Critical Conversations
Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center
1657 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01701

PHOENIX DATES
September 13, 2019 | Social Justice Teaching 101
September 14, 2019 | Facilitating Critical Conversations
Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Tempe
4400 South Rural Road
Tempe, AZ 85282

UPR Webinar – Why should I internationalize my issue?

by hreusa

EVENT DETAILS: 

When: Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Where: Online Webinar
Time:  3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT 
Cost: Free and open to the public

Please register for the call here.

The U.S. Human Rights Network is hosting an introductory webinar on how to use the Universal Periodic Review to amplify your issue and advocate for justice. The webinar will answer the questions:

  • “How can I hold the government accountable for its flagrant violations of human rights?”
  • “How does the human rights framework relate to my issue?”
  • “Why should I internationalize my issue?”
  • “Why should I engage with the United Nations?”
  • “What is the Universal Periodic Review?”
  • “How can I get involved with the Universal Periodic Review?”

USHRN Deputy Director Salimah Hankins and independent expert Joshua Cooper will offer an introduction to the human rights framework, international mechanisms, and the Universal Periodic Review. 

This webinar is the first in a series of six webinars from July through September on the Universal Periodic Review. Each webinar will become gradually more specific and technical, aimed at assisting NGOs and activists with drafting their own stakeholder reports for the upcoming Universal Periodic Review of the United States. 

The July 10th webinar is open to the public including non-members. 

Click to watch a short video of Malcolm X discussing the value of the
human rights framework and the internationalization of issues.

“There are many of our people who are thinking more deeply and more broadly, and are beginning to see the importance of lifting [our issues] out of the national or domestic context, beyond the jurisdiction of the United States government. The only way this can be done is by internationalizing the problem and putting it at a level where it can be taken into the United Nations. Then, all of the other independent nations on this earth can involve themselves in our struggle and support us.” – Malcom X

Click here to view information about the call on the USHRN calendar.
 

Hold the US Accountable to its Human Rights Obligations

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Hold the US Accountable to its Human Rights Obligations   
Join HRE USA and the US Human Rights Network (USHRN) in holding the US accountable to its human rights obligations. 

In May 2020, the United States will undergo a “Universal Periodic Review” (UPR) of its domestic human rights record at the UN Human Rights Council. The UPR is an exciting and tangible advocacy opportunity for US-based NGOs to engage the UN on strengthening human rights in the United States.

The UN UPR Working Group will review the United States in April-May 2020. The deadline for the US government to submit a report is February 2020. The current administration did not elect to submit a mid-term report, which was due this month. To date,  four US-based NGO stakeholders submitted mid-term reports to the UN, including Human Rights Educators USA.

The UPR is all about accessibility. Advocates of all experience levels, backgrounds, and interests can participate and influence this process. Ideally, the results of your consultation will be shared with the UN via a brief “shadow report.”

Final stakeholder “shadow” reports by NGOs and Indigenous Peoples on the human rights records of the US are due on October 3, 2019, ahead of the country’s May review in Geneva. There are several ways you can the USHRN UPR effort:Apply to join the USHRN-facilitated UPR Taskforce.Apply to join the USHRN UPR and/or International Mechanisms listservs to receive periodic updates.Participate in the UPR Cities Project, a new initiative of the USHRN member-led Human Rights Cities Alliance.If you would like to join the UPR Taskforce or Listservs, or if you would like more information on how to participate in the UPR, please contact Roberto Borrero, International Mechanisms Director at: rborrero@ushrnetwork.org.    

Voice of Witness – Sharing History Initiative

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The Voice of Witness 2019 Sharing History Initiative is underway, and this year they are giving away free sets of Solito, Solita, with one free copy of Say It Forward per set. 

The Sharing History Initiative introduces oral history and social justice storytelling to under-resourced classrooms and communities around the United States by providing educators, storytellers, and advocates with free books & free culturally relevant curricula.

Educators and organizers from public schools/universities, community colleges, and education, human rights, or arts-based non-profits are encouraged to apply. Visit their website for more information and FAQs.

Application Deadline: June 30, 2019

>> Learn more and apply

Take Action on the Rights of the Child – Call Your Mayor

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Although the US has not ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), there are a number of cities that have supported its provision. The CRC is important to safeguard children’s rights to safety, to well-being, and to remain with their families.

This June there will be US Conference of Mayors to be held in Honolulu, Hawaii. The conference provides a great opportunity for all of us to defend and promote the rights of children in our country.

HRE USA urges everyone to reach out to their Mayor’s Office by calling and/or emailing to: 

  • Find out if your Mayor will be attending the conference to be held in Honolulu, Hawaii from June 28-July 1, 2019
  • Urge your Mayor to raise his/her support for the CRC city resolution passed in their city as a model for other mayors. 

Check here to see if your Mayor is registered to attend.

It might take several attempts to reach the Mayor’s Office, but we all know that change does not come easily. Whether you succeeded or failed in getting an answer, please let HRE USA know. 

To get involved and join the working group, please contact Benil Mostafa. 

>> Learn more about HRE USA CRC Campaign