The OPSEU Provincial Human Rights Committee invites applications for the 2018 Human Rights Conference. We would like OPSEU members with a genuine interest in inspiring and supporting Human Rights leadership and activism, both within OPSEU and, more importantly, in their communities, to apply to attend this three-day event.
This year’s conference promises to be particularly exciting. We are pleased to present a thought-provoking roster of speakers, panel discussions, artists, films and action-oriented skills-building workshops in relation to our conference theme: United: We call for Action!. We want you to go home feeling inspired, with ideas for immediate action in your communities. We are looking for a rich mix of conference participants from diverse backgrounds.
The conference’s goal is to educate and raise awareness about how we, as union members and community leaders, can engage in human rights activism in an age of mounting hate, racism, Islamophobia, xenophobia and bigotry. The concept of United: We Call for Action! starts with us: how do we challenge stereotypes and myths about human rights? How can we promote the development and growth of human rights activism within the labour movement? How can we ensure that human rights issues and priorities remain at the forefront of our long-term fight for fairness in today’s distressing political climate? Together, we will develop a plan.
Don’t miss this chance to network, learn, share experiences and develop a positive, achievable action plan for promoting and supporting human rights activism across Ontario. With your participation, passion and insight we can make this one of the best human rights conferences yet!
Please complete the application in the OPSEU online portal at https://members.opseu.org/ no later than midnight on September 14, 2018. Please also note that we will be using an anonymous selection process to select participants for the conference. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
We look forward to meeting you at the conference!
In solidarity,
Provincial Human Rights Committee
Tentative Conference Outline
Friday, November 30, 2018
5:00 – 7:00 PM – Registration
5:30 – 6:00 PM – Smudging
6:00 – 7:00 PM – Dinner (not provided)
7:00 – 9:00 PM – Plenary
Saturday, December 1, 2018
Sunrise – Smudging
8:00 – 9: 30 AM – Breakfast (not provided)
9:30 – 9:45 AM – Introduction and Welcome
9:45 – 10:00 AM – Introductory Remarks
10:00 – 11:00 AM – Key Note Speaker
11:00 – 11:15 AM – Break
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM – Question Cafe and close of plenary
12:00 – 1:30 PM – Lunch (not provided)
1:30 – 5:00 PM – Skills-building and Action workshops
5:00 – 7:30 PM – Dinner (not provided)
7:30 – 9:00 PM – Special Presentation
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Sunrise – Smudging
8:00 – 9:00 AM – Breakfast (not provided)
9:00 – 9:15 AM – Intro and welcome
9:15 – 10:30 AM – Presentation
11:00 – 11:15 AM – Break
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM – Action group discussions
12:15 – 12:30 PM – Conference Close and Evaluation