I am writing to inform you about the outcome of the 9th International Conference on Human Rights Education (9^th ICHRE) held in Parramatta on 26-29 November 2018, and to thank you for your support for the international human rights education movement.

This year’s conference theme Unleashing the Full Potential of Civil Society proved to be well chosen and popular with human rights scholars and advocates, as some 250 paper proposals were received.  Only 90 of the best paper and workshop proposals were chosen for presentation at the conference.

The 9^th ICHRE was an absolute success with the attendance of over 380 delegates and speakers from around 50 countries. Feedback from those who participated has been very positive, the high quality of the presentations, as well as the depth of experience of speakers was noted by all, and contributed to the high standard of the conference. The participation of some 110 high school students in the closing discussion panel was a most welcomed innovation. I also hope that the conference has made a positive contribution to human rights education worldwide.

The 9^th ICHRE Report has been prepared. It includes the Sydney Declaration on Human Rights Education that was adopted by conference participants by acclamation in the last session of the Conference on Thursday 29 November 2018.  The Report, photos taken at the conference and other materials related to the ICHRE conference series, can be found on the Office of Equity and Diversity, Western Sydney University Website – please see:

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/equity_diversity/equity_and_diversity/conferences/international_human_rights_education_conferences

Photographs taken at the conference can be found on the conference website at http://www.ichre2018.com.au/index/1697

Please note that the 10^th ICHRE will be held in Kathmandu, Nepal in late 2019.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2019.

Today we celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the adoption by the UN General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); a document which set out a new direction for humanity.

The Declaration was a visionary document; a triumph of hope and optimism. It was the first global statement of universal human rights standards; of which we now take for granted. Article 1 proclaimed that “Everyone is born free and equal in dignity and with rights”.

Although the Declaration is not binding on states, by now it forms part of customary international law although its educational power over the years exceeded its legal effect.

For more see:
70th Anniversary of UDHR – opinion piece