International Convention on Human Rights
October 5th, 2007
Sally Mahe writes: The International Convention on Human Rights invites members of CCs everywhere to engage in developing a global document enforceable in courts of law called the International Convention for Human Rights. Please consider using the Dialogue Idea below and going to the www.humanrights.berkeley.edu to add your voice!
International Convention on Human Rights CC - DIALOGUE IDEA
The International Convention on Human Rights Cooperation Circle supports the International Convention on Human Rights Project. We invite you to participate with people in your community in drafting the International Convention on Human Rights – an internationally respected human rights document enforceable in courts of law.
This new International Convention on Human Rights document builds upon the work of the International Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention of Human Rights. Work is already underway. An impressive website introduces you to the document and asks for your comments. www.humanrights.berkeley.edu
But the evolution and acceptance of this document will only be accomplished through widespread understanding and participation. We, members of the International Convention on Human Rights Cooperation Circle, want to help contribute to this evolution!!
We offer dialogue and discussion ideas that will acquaint you with the Articles of the International Convention on Human Rights and provide methods to create safe and respectful conditions for dialogue and in-depth exploration.
After the dialogue, please go to the website www.humanrights.berkeley.edu and contribute a Comment. People’s voices - thoughts, perspectives, ideas - are needed.
Dialogue Idea One – Human Rights – Exploring Our Own Experiences
Purpose: To provide a general introduction to the topic of Human Rights and explore different experiences and attitudes about human rights; to create a safe and congenial atmosphere where each person speaks from the heart and listens carefully to the other.
Activity: Invite people to choose a person they don’t know well and find a seat together. Explain that pairs will engage in an appreciative interview – a conversation that is ordinary, trusting, from the heart and focused on discovery.
Each person interviews the other using the following questions. A time keeper should direct people when it is time to shift. Please allow 10 minutes for each interview.
- To begin I would like to know a little about you. What interests you about Human Rights? What experiences can you recall from your life where you cared deeply that you or people you cared about were given their human rights? Please tell me about this experience.
- Imagine in 20 years that the International Convention on Human Rights has been established. There are world courts where human rights grievances are heard. There is a body of law, respected worldwide, that protects people against human rights violations. What would be different in the world? What is happening that is positive or different than what is happening now?