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Democracy, Human Rights and the Fragility of Freedom
International human rights experts convene at Echenberg Family Global Conference to address democratic citizenship and the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms on a global scale.
How do we bridge the gap between the theory of human rights and the complex social, political and economic realities of a turbulent and interconnected world?
Published: 1 March 2013
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鈥淭he Echenberg Family Conference is an exceptional opportunity to bring together activists, advocates and human rights professionals from across the world in Montreal,鈥� says Nandini Ramanujam, Executive Director, CHRLP.
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The conference will be live-streamed:听.听(The event will be held in English).
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To explore the unique contribution that young professionals and scholars can make to the promotion of democracy and human rights, both in their own countries and in the international arena, the Centre will also host, before the conference, the third听International Forum for Young Leaders, from March 18 to 21,听welcoming 25 young leaders from 22 different countries. The Forum will consist of a series of workshops, roundtable discussions, and cultural events aimed at engaging with the spectrum of themes related to the conference听Democracy, Human Rights and the Fragility of Freedom.
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Confirmed speakers at the Global Conference on Democracy, Human Rights and the Fragility of Freedom听include:
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Thursday, March 21:
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Marina Nemat: Anti-torture activist and author of听Prisoner of Tehran
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Yang Jianli: Chinese human rights activist and former political prisoner
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Fouzia Saeed: Director, Human Rights and Democracy Center in Islamabad, Pakistan
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Flora Terah: Kenyan political activist
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Friday March 22:
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Abdullahi An-Na鈥檌m: Internationally recognized scholar of international law, human rights and Islam, Emory University (USA-Sudan)
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Yara Sallam: Director, Women Human Rights Defenders Program at Nazra for Feminist Studies (Egypt)
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Martin Jacques: Economist, journalist, author of听When China Rules the World: The End of the Western World and the Birth of a New Global Order
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Radwan Ziadeh: Human rights activist, scholar, and prominent member of the Syrian opposition party
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Saturday, March 23:
Aitzaz Ahsan: Pakistani political activist, leader of the 2007 Lawyers鈥� Movement
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Rashida Manjoo: U.N.Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences (South Africa)
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Oscar Morales: Colombian organizer of the 鈥楴o Mas FARC鈥� protests
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Kiran Bedi: Social justice activist, anti-corruption advocate, and India鈥檚 first female police officer
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Panels include:
Democracy and Human Rights: Stories of Engagement and Resilience*
Despite enormous risks and dangers, history teaches us that individuals, working in solidarity with social movements and civil society organizations, have persevered against tremendous odds in seeking democracy and justice.
*free opening plenary session
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The Arab Spring: Challenges, Effects and Consequences
The current struggles within the Arab world demonstrate the difficulties and complexities surrounding the establishment of democratic rule. Repression, violence and risks of exclusion and inequality continue to undermine societal transformation towards democracy.
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Borderless Technology and New Movements for Social Change
As borders become increasingly diffuse, the technology used to cross these borders has become increasingly powerful.
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Echenberg conference:
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International Forum for Young Leaders:听