WINNIPEG, MB – Four stellar students from The University of Winnipeg Collegiate have been selected to join 10 other Canadian students from Quebec and Alberta as delegates at this year’s United Nations Student Conference on Human Rights. Benjamin Chafe, Zainab, Karis Hutlet and Claire Paetkau were chosen to attend this prestigious conference after submitting a personal essay and are the only representatives from Manitoba. Richard Martin, Acting Dean of the Collegiate will accompany the students heading to the UN Headquarters in New York City from Tuesday, November 29 to Sunday, December 4, 2011 joining other student delegates from around the world.
‘Life-Changing’, Experience
“I have led the Canadian delegation to the United Nations Student Conference on Human Rights on behalf of UNESCO Associated Schools since 2009, and have had accompanied students to the conference since 2005,” said Martin. “I see how the students have a ‘life-changing’, experience as they emerge as leaders committed to human rights issues at a local, national and international level.”
This year’s theme is Discrimination and Human Rights Defenders with four sub-themes: Discrimination Against Persons with HIV/AIDS – Discrimination Against Women – Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities – Racial Discrimination.
Pursuing the Common Goal
“This experience is one that few high school students have the privilege of being a part of. We are looking forward to witnessing how nations come together to solve the problems in a diplomatic manner,” expressed the students in a joint resolution. “We are honoured to be a part of a group of students whose voices are pursuing the common goal of working towards a world in which the rights of all people are recognized and respected.”
Prior to the conference, the students have to prepare for the conference and have been asked to research current and historical ‘defenders of human rights’ with a view to becoming inspired to become defenders of human rights in their own schools, communities and countries.
This Annual UN Student Conference on Human Rights, established in 1998 promotes awareness and learning and prompts action among student leaders about human rights in general, as well as the specific rights issues related to the current year’s theme. For more information on the conference go to http://www.ic21.org/UNSCHR
