Posted: 17 July 2008 at 1:47pm | IP Logged

March 28, 2008
New website helps build inclusive communities and workplaces

www.albertahumanrights.ab.ca 

The Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission has launched a new website to help Albertans build welcoming and inclusive communities and workplaces. The site offers information about rights and responsibilities related to human rights law in Alberta and about the commission’s services and programs.

“The work of the Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission helps to support Albertans in building diverse and respectful communities where everyone can fully participate without experiencing discrimination,” said Lindsay Blackett, Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. “Launching this website in 2008, the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reinforces the relevance of human rights principles and values in today’s society. This new website will provide Albertans with an opportunity to learn about human rights in Alberta and access relevant and useful information on the commission.”

The newly designed site’s updated content includes a revised section on human rights in the workplace, comprehensive information about other areas protected under Alberta’s human rights legislation, news and contacts for media, a new Frequently Asked Questions section and a searchable database of panel and court decisions.

“Our current website receives over 27,000 visits a month and is a key communications tool for the commission,” said Chief Commissioner Charlach Mackintosh. “An essential element of a discrimination-free society is public awareness and education. With our new website, Albertans will have even better access to the services and information we provide.”

Posted: 08 September 2008 at 9:20pm | IP Logged

Youth information and resources

CASHRA Interactive Youth Website
The Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA) collaborated with TakingITGlobal and the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights to develop an interactive website to engage youth aged 18 to 35 in human rights dialogue and action.

The website was developed in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

The Alberta Human Rights and Citizenship Commission is a member of CASHRA and led the committee that developed this initiative.

To find out more about the UDHR, what human rights issues are affecting Canadians today and what you can do to get involved, click on the banner and learn more!

http://www.takingitglobal.org/themes/udhr60/

Posted: 05 December 2008 at 1:41am | IP Logged

Dec 10 is International Human Rights Day: 

2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with celebrations being held worldwide.

Dec 10, 1948 was the day on which the Declaration was signed by member nations of the United Nations. 
Canadian, John Humphrey, was the primary author of the Declaration.
The members of the UN hoped that the horrors of the recently ended war (WW II) could be avoided if a universal code of human rights governed the behaviour of individuals and countries.

Since its adoption in 1948, the Declaration has been a source of inspiration for national and international efforts to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Posted: 05 December 2008 at 1:43am | IP Logged

Welcoming and Inclusive Communities Project:

The Commission and the Human Rights and Citizenship Branch of Alberta Culture and Community Spirit have entered into a Welcome and Inclusive Communities Project partnership with the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA).

The purpose of the partnership is to develop increased capacity to build Welcoming and Inclusive Communities (WIC) and to advance the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD), both in Alberta.

The partnership will also serve to support municipalities in becoming more welcoming and inclusive, and to support their efforts to combat racism and discrimination. The objectives of the project are to:

• create networks among municipalities, government departments and organizations engaged in building welcoming and inclusive communities and in CMARD;
• expand and update tools and resources pertaining to welcoming and inclusive communities and CMARD;
•  increase communication and outreach, and encourage more communities to become welcoming and inclusive; and
•  serve as a source of information and support for municipalities implementing plans and initiatives toward becoming more welcoming and inclusive, and to evaluate outcomes. 

Under the partnership, AUMA has hired senior project coordinator Marc Colbourne. For more information, contact Marc Colbourne at mcolbourne@auma.ca or 780-288-5803.