DOCSLIB.ORG

The Elders Launch “Fairness Films” to Support UN's Sustainable

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Elders Launch “Fairness Films” to Support UN's Sustainable The Elders launch “fairness films” to support UN’s Sustainable Development Goals FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 18 September 2015 Today The Elders launch a series of seven short films presenting their unique perspective on fairness, the human value that underpins the new UN Sustainable Development Goals. Martti Ahtisaari, Mary Robinson, Hina Jilani, Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Ela Bhatt and Kofi Annan have each selected an object or moment from their lives that symbolises their own view of fairness. The aim is to start a global re-examination of fairness ahead of the SDG Summit in New York on 25 September and amplify the call for world leaders to show a serious commitment to ending poverty, discrimination and injustice. The first film will be uploaded to The Elders’ Facebook page on 18 September, with a new one following each successive day until the summit begins. Film 1 (18 September) is by Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland and Nobel Peace Laureate, and features the Finnish “baby box” given by the state to every new-born child. “It doesn’t matter what your background is, everyone has this so the child gets a decent start… It’s never too expensive to give a chance for a decent beginning for everyone.” [EMBARGOED UNTIL 0700 GMT ON THE SPECIFIED DATES] Film 2 (19 September) is by Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, and features the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “Fairness is an extraordinary quality in life and it brings us together in a solidarity that makes everybody better.” Film 3 (20 September) is by Hina Jilani, Pakistani lawyer and human rights defender, and features the legal statute to end bonded labour in Pakistan. “For me, fairness is when human dignity is respected. Bonded labour was not only an illegal practice, but a cruel practice that was denying people their basic right to dignity.” Film 4 (21 September) is by Fernando Henrique Cardoso, former President of Brazil, and features the Brazilian Constitution of 1988 after the end of dictatorship. “It’s not just a set of rules saying ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. It’s a set of dreams, saying health is a universal value, education is a universal value, and access to land is a universal value.” Film 5 (22 September) is by Jimmy Carter, former US President and Nobel Peace Laureate, and features a poem he wrote inspired by his encounter with racism as a youth. “I grew up in a community in Archery, Georgia, and ours was the only white community there. So all my neighbours, all my playmates, were African-American. And we would treat each other completely equal.” Film 6 (23 September) is by Ela Bhatt, Indian labour activist, and features a clay plot made by rural female workers in India. “This pot, it is a public statement that I am concerned with the rural artisan who makes the pot. The money that I spend circulates within that local economy.” Film 7 (24 September) is by Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders, former UN Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Laureate, and concludes the series by urging us all to see the bigger picture. “There’s lots of goodness in the world, don’t go through life focusing on the negative. Be open, and embrace the goodness which also surrounds us.” Martti Ahtisaari, whose film starts the series, said: “The SDGs are the latest attempt to further prosperity in a just and equitable way and fairness lies at their heart. This goes beyond fair and equal treatment under the law, freedom of speech and the right to vote. It also means being dealt a fair hand in terms of health, education, access to land and other cultural and economic rights.” Media enquiries William French, Head of International Media, The Elders Email: [email protected] – T +44 7795 693903 Sign up to receive The Elders' press releases. About The Elders The Elders are independent leaders using their collective experience and influence for peace, justice and human rights worldwide. The group was founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007. The Elders are Martti Ahtisaari, Kofi Annan (Chair), Ela Bhatt, Lakhdar Brahimi, Gro Harlem Brundtland (Deputy Chair), Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Jimmy Carter, Hina Jilani, Graça Machel, Mary Robinson and Ernesto Zedillo. Desmond Tutu is an honorary Elder. Find out more For biographies of the Elders, blogs, photos, videos and more information about their work please go to www.theElders.org. Follow The Elders on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • UN75 Global Governance Forum DRAFT Agenda
    UN75 Global Governance Forum 16-17 September (with community-driven sessions on 18 September) DRAFT Agenda *All times are listed in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (New York) **Please check the forum website for regular updates of the agenda ***Translation will be provided for the languages listed as follows: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional), Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tamil and Vietnamese. Day 1 – Wednesday, 16 September Opening Plenary – 9:00am - 10:30am Livestream Link: https://livestream.com/accounts/22723452/UN75GGForumSept16 Translation Link: https://attend.wordly.ai/join/REUF-0065 Video Welcome Remarks by Maryam Nemazee, Al Jazeera Newshour Anchor, Opening Plenary Moderator Opening Comments on “Where We’ve Been, What We Hope to Accomplish” by Maureen Connolly, Forum Director Statement of Appreciation by H.E. Volkan Bozkir, President of the General Assembly, UNGA 75th Session Preceded by a brief presentation by Cristina Petcu, Research Associate, The Stimson Center, of the Roadmap for the Future We Want & UN We Need: A Vision 20/20 for UN75 & Beyond Opening Panel on The Future We Want, The United Nations We Need Speakers: Ban Ki-Moon, Eighth UN Secretary-General, Deputy Chair of The Elders, and President & Chair, Global Green Growth Institute Aya Chebbi, African Union Envoy on Youth Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, out-going President of the General Assembly and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations (tbc) Gro Harlem Brundtland, Co-Chair,
    [Show full text]
  • Retrospective
    Theodore Ruger, Dean and Bernard G. Segal Professor of Law, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School Penn Law builds bridges with leading international organizations, legal institutions, world leaders, and policymakers that deepen our engagement with pressing global issues. At a time of great geopolitical upheavals, Penn Law's engagement with transnational leaders has helped strengthen our students’ shared commitments to multilateralism, strong international institutions, and diversity in leadership. In an age of intense inquiry of equal representation of gender and race in global decision- making, these portraits and perspectives showcase a few of the global voices that have influenced Penn Law's inclusive vision of global justice. Rangita de Silva de Alwis, Associate Dean of International Affairs, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School ___ "In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called upon to shift to a new level of consciousness to reach a higher moral ground — that is where we are now." -Mary Robinson, President of Ireland; Penn Law Commencement Speaker 2017 “The number of women who have come forward as a result of the #MeToo movement has been astonishing. My hope is not just that it is here to stay, but that it is as effective for the woman who works as a maid in a hotel as it is for Hollywood stars." -Justice Ginsburg at Penn Law Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; Penn Law Roberts Lecture, 2018 "Let it be said that human rights are women's rights, and women's rights are human
    [Show full text]
  • Kofi Annan Anuncia a Dos Nuevos Elders: Hina Jilani Y Ernesto Zedillo
    Kofi Annan anuncia a dos nuevos Elders: Hina Jilani y Ernesto Zedillo Hina Jilani y Ernesto Zedillo (Crédito: Jeff Moore/The Elders; Harold Shapiro) 11 de julio de 2013 PARA PUBLICACIÓN INMEDIATA Hina Jilani, defensora de los derechos humanos reconocida internacionalmente, originaria de Pakistán, y Ernesto Zedillo, ex-Presidente de México, han pasado a formar parte de The Elders, un grupo de líderes independientes que trabajan en pro de la paz, la justicia y los derechos humanos. Su nombramiento fue anunciado el día de hoy por Kofi Annan, Presidente del grupo que fue convocado por primera vez por Nelson Mandela en 2007. Kofi Annan, ex-Secretario de la ONU y Presidente de The Elders, dijo: "Estoy muy contento de que Hina Jilani y Ernesto Zedillo hayan aceptado unirse a nuestro grupo. Su sabiduría y experiencia serán bienes preciados para nuestra labor futura. Sus carreras son modelos de liderazgo ético y firme compromiso con los valores democráticos. Estoy convencido de que nos ayudarán a inspirarnos y promover estos principios y nos acercarán a nuestro objetivo de superar los desafíos prioritarios de The Elders: combatir las causas fundamentales del conflicto y construir un mundo más justo e inclusivo". Hina Jilani es abogada de la Corte Suprema de Pakistán. En dicha capacidad ha llevado muchos casos históricos, estableciendo nuevas normas en Pakistán en materia de derechos de la mujer, de minorías, la infancia y prisioneros - incluyendo prisioneros políticos. Ella fundó el primer bufete de abogados integrado en su totalidad por mujeres en Pakistán, y fue co-fundadora del primer centro de asistencia jurídica.
    [Show full text]
  • Hina Jilani Pioneering Lawyer and Pro-Democracy Campaigner; a Leading Activist in Pakistan's Women's Movement and International Champion of Human Rights
    Hina Jilani Pioneering lawyer and pro-democracy campaigner; a leading activist in Pakistan's women's movement and international champion of human rights. ● Founded Pakistan’s first all-women law firm, 1980 ● Co-founder of Pakistan’s National Human Rights Commission, 1986 ● Appointed advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, 1992 ● UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders, 2000-2008 ● Awarded the Millennium Peace Prize for Women, 2001 ● Joined The Elders, 2013 ● Appointed Co-chair of the Taskforce on Justice, 2018 “I always had this feeling that if you see injustice, you have to speak out against it; otherwise you are not in a position to complain.” Work with The Elders Hina Jilani has been a member of The Elders since 2013. Together with The Elders she has travelled to Myanmar, France, Thailand, Argentina, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and several visits to the US and the UN in New York. She har participated in world conferences – from the Munich Security Conference in 2017 to the Women Deliver Conference in Denmark in 2016 – and has spoken at numerous high-level events about ensuring access to justice, achieving gender equality and the importance of civil society as well as the need for an effective multilateral institutional framework that respects human rights. Hina Jilani is especially passionate about women and girls’ rights and women’s role in justice and peace-making, defending human rights defenders and the fair treatment and protection of refugees. Pioneering lawyer and activist A renowned lawyer and civil society activist, Hina Jilani has dedicated her life to fighting for human rights and democracy in Pakistan and around the world.
    [Show full text]
  • APWLD Herstory 1986-2017 APWLD HERSTORY
    APWLD Herstory 1986-2017 APWLD HERSTORY Published by Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) 1986-2017 2019 Chiang Mai, Thailand Celebrating over 30 years of advocacy, activism and movement ISBN: 978-616-92225-4-5 building to advance women’s human rights in the Asia Pacific Region Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development 4 5 Writers and editors: Judy M. Taguiwalo and Trimita Chakma Contributors: Sanam Amin, Ya Gan, Marion Cabrera and Prisana Booth Layout designer: Aileen Familara Photos: Margaret Schuler’s website, The Story of Women, Law and Development (https://www.wld-history.net) and APWLD archive. Foreword from APWLD Regional Coordinator Notes from the Editors As I read through the publication, I could not stop picturing the very first Judy Taguiwalo APWLD Member and consultant meeting of our founding members. I felt like I could feel their breath, hear their voices and see their facial expressions as they critically understand, analyse and envision a new feminist future for women in Asia Pacific, and APWLD’s Herstory was initially about documenting the stories collectively chart out feminist strategies to realise that vision. It is very of the organisation’s founding members in time for its 30th clear that APWLD was founded based on the firm feminist principles and anniversary in 2016. But it took almost five years for the project the trust in the power of grassroots, people’s movements and solidarity. I to be completed and the story has expanded beyond the stories of have never realised how radical APWLD’s founding commitment to use the founding mothers.
    [Show full text]
  • Media Advisory: the Elders to Visit Myanmar and Thailand from 12–18 December
    Media advisory: The Elders to visit Myanmar and Thailand from 12–18 December Press conference in Yangon on Thursday 18 December 11 December 2014 MEDIA ADVISORY FOR INFORMATION ONLY, NOT FOR PUBLICATION On Friday 12 December 2014, four members of The Elders will begin a one-week visit to Thailand (12–13 December) and Myanmar (14–18 December). Ahead of a pivotal year for Myanmar, the Elders are continuing their efforts to encourage progress towards an inclusive, democratic and just society that reflects the full diversity and talents of the Myanmar people, and to help bring about a lasting peace to ongoing conflict with different ethnic groups. The Elders travelling to the region are: - Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway, former Director- General of the World Health Organization and Deputy Chair of The Elders (delegation leader); - Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; - Lakhdar Brahimi, former Foreign Minister of Algeria and United Nations envoy; - Hina Jilani, international human rights defender from Pakistan. In Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Elders will meet the Women’s League of Burma and other groups to discuss current concerns. In Yangon, Myanmar, the Elders will have private meetings. In Nay Pyi Taw, they will have meetings with senior members of the Myanmar government, the armed forces and parliament. This will be the third time that the Elders have travelled to Myanmar in little over a year. Following their first visit alongside fellow Elder Jimmy Carter (former US President) in September 2013, Gro Harlem Brundtland and Martti Ahtisaari returned to the country for the Elders’ second visit in March 2014.
    [Show full text]
  • New Protection Manual Human Rights Defenders
    ManualEnglish-2009.qxp 03/04/2009 11:32 PÆgina 1 NNEEWW PPRROTECTIONOTECTION MMANUANUALAL FFOROR HHUMANUMAN RRIGHTIGHTSS DDEFENDERSEFENDERS RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY ENRIQUE EGUREN AND MARIE CARAJ ManualEnglish-2009.qxp 03/04/2009 11:32 PÆgina 1 New protection manual for human rights defenders NEW PROTECTION MANUAL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY ENRIQUE EGUREN, AND MARIE CARAJ, PROTECTION INTERNATIONAL (PI) PUBLISHED BY PROTECTION INTERNATIONAL 1 ManualEnglish-2009.qxp 03/04/2009 11:32 PÆgina 2 Published by Protection International 2009 Rue de la Linière, 11 B-1060 Brussels, Belgium. Third edition Copyright© 2008 by Protection International. This manual has been produced for the benefit of human rights defenders and may be quoted from or photocopied for non commercial purposes as long as the source/authors are acknowledged. For its inclusion in other publications or other uses please ask for authorization. Printed copies of the New Manual from Protection International Rue de la Linière, 11. B-1060 Brussels (Belgium) Tel: +32(0)2 609 44 05 / +32(0)2 609 44 07 / Fax: +32(0)2 609 44 07 [email protected] It can be downloaded for free from www.protectionline.org Prices of printed copies: Southern organisations: free Northern organisations: 20 Euros plus post and packaging (reductions for bulk orders) The New manual is available in English, French and Spanish (it is also being translated into other languages by Protection International) protection manual for human rights defenders ISBN: 978-2-930539-00-3 New 2 ManualEnglish-2009.qxp 03/04/2009 11:32 PÆgina 3 New protection manual for human rights defenders FForeword to the first edition by Hina Jilani In my work as Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders I have noted with grave concern an increase in the number of reports of serious human rights abuses against defenders and a notable shift away from low-targeting, such as intimidation and harassment, to more serious violations, such as attacks on and threats to physical integrity of defenders.
    [Show full text]
  • DRAFT > Hina Jilani Bio.Docx
    Hina Jilani Pioneering lawyer and pro-democracy campaigner; a leading activist in Pakistan's women's movement and international champion of human rights. ● Founded Pakistan’s first all-women law firm; first legal aid centre; and national Human Rights Commission ● Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan since 1992 ● UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders, 2000-2008 ● Awarded the Millennium Peace Prize for Women, 2001 ● Co-chair of the Taskforce on Justice, 2018- “I always had this feeling that if you see injustice, you have to speak out against it; otherwise you are not in a position to complain.” Work with The Elders In December 2014, Hina Jilani joined The Elders delegation to Myanmar where they met with representatives from the government, the military and civil society including ethnic women’s groups. The Elders called on the warring parties to end their fighting and discussed opportunities for building a new and inclusive federal state, including the 2015 election. Hina Jilani travelled to New York in September 2015 with an Elders delegation of Gro Harlem Brundtland, Graça Machel and Ernesto Zedillo to celebrate the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals. Hina Jilani participated in a panel event co-hosted with the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect on the use of the UN Security Council veto as part of The Elders A UN Fit for purpose initiative. Pioneering lawyer and activist A renowned lawyer and civil society activist, Hina Jilani has dedicated her life to fighting for human rights and democracy in Pakistan and around the world. Her father, a politician, was an outspoken critic of Pakistan’s military dictatorship and spent long spells in prison.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Dispatches 2015
    [[ DDIISSPPAATTCCHHEESS ]] REPORTS FROM THE FRONT LINE TRUSTEES what does front Denis O’Brien (Chairman) Arnold Tsunga is Africa is Chairman of the Digicel Director of the International Group. He is one of Commission of Jurists. He line defenders do? Ireland’s leading entrepre - was Executive Secretary of neurs with extensive the Law Society of investments across several Zimbabwe and Executive Front Line, the International Foundation for the sectors. Mr. O’Brien was voted Ireland’s Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. He was a joint winner of the Martin Protection of Human Rights Defenders, is an Entrepreneur of the Year in 1998 in the inaugural running of the worldwide Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders international non-governmental organisation (NGO) competition organised and sponsored by in 2006. established by charitable deed trust. It was Ernst & Young. Mr. O’Brien is also a director founded in Dublin in 2001 with the specific aim of of a number of private companies which hold some of his other business interests ADVISORY COUNCIL protecting human rights defenders at risk, people including Quinta do Lago SA and who work, non-violently, for any or all of the rights Communicorp Group Limited. In 2000 he Michel Forst is the United Nations Special Rappor- enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human established The Iris O’Brien Foundation to assist disadvantaged communities in teur on the situation of Rights (UDHR). Front Line Defenders addresses the Ireland and internationally. He is co-founder human rights defenders protection needs identified by defenders of Front Line Defenders. and Secretary General of the French National Con - themselves.
    [Show full text]
  • Fernando Henrique Cardoso Steps Down from the Elders
    Fernando Henrique Cardoso steps down from The Elders 25 May 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fernando Henrique Cardoso is stepping down from his front-line role as a member of The Elders, the organisation announced today. In future, the former President of Brazil, 84, will hold the title of honorary (“Emeritus”) Elder. The Elders wish to pay tribute to Fernando Henrique Cardoso’s committed work for the organisation since it was founded in 2007. President Cardoso led the first Elders’ delegation to the Middle East in 2009, where he called for meaningful dialogue between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He was passionate about ensuring the voices of ordinary people on both sides were heard, and campaigned strongly for a two-state solution to the conflict. He was also a driving force behind the “Elders and Youngers” initiative that brought together young leaders and activists from around the world for the Rio+20 summit in 2012 for a series of dialogues on sustainable development; and he continues to inspire The Elders’ engagement with young people. Kofi Annan, Chair of The Elders, said: “Fernando Henrique has been a key player in The Elders since the very beginning and we are sorry to see him go. His commitment to dialogue, democracy and development will continue to inspire The Elders for many years to come. We will continue to benefit from his wisdom in his new role as an Emeritus Elder.” Media enquiries William French, Head of Communications, The Elders Email: [email protected] – T +44 7795 693903 Sign up to receive The Elders' press releases.
    [Show full text]
  • Domestic Violence in Pakistan: the Et Nsion Between Intervention & Sovereign Autonomy in Human Rights Law Manar Waheed
    Brooklyn Journal of International Law Volume 29 | Issue 2 Article 9 2004 Domestic Violence in Pakistan: The eT nsion Between Intervention & Sovereign Autonomy in Human Rights Law Manar Waheed Follow this and additional works at: https://brooklynworks.brooklaw.edu/bjil Recommended Citation Manar Waheed, Domestic Violence in Pakistan: The Tension Between Intervention & Sovereign Autonomy in Human Rights Law, 29 Brook. J. Int'l L. (2004). Available at: https://brooklynworks.brooklaw.edu/bjil/vol29/iss2/9 This Note is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Journals at BrooklynWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Brooklyn Journal of International Law by an authorized editor of BrooklynWorks. File: ManarMacro.doc Created on: 2/13/2004 3:54 PM Last Printed: 4/21/2004 1:50 PM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN PAKISTAN: THE TENSION BETWEEN INTERVENTION & SOVEREIGN AUTONOMY IN HUMAN RIGHTS LAW I. INTRODUCTION n international human rights jurisprudence, the tension Ibetween intervention and autonomous statehood is both endemic and intractable.1 One defining attribute of human rights is that they are the rights of all, without regard to such particularities as nationality, culture, or religious affiliation.2 At a minimum, this universality claim holds that the manner in which a state treats its own people is no longer its internal business since all states owe an obligation to the entire interna- 1. The U.N. Charter itself embodies this tension by recognizing the uni- versality of human rights and the notion of sovereign autonomy. Regarding the universality of human rights, the Charter promotes “universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion” and indicates that “[a]ll mem- bers pledge themselves to take joint and separate action in co-operation with the organization for the achievement” of that goal.
    [Show full text]
  • State of Theworld's Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2010
    Focus on Religious Minorities minority rights group international State of theWorld’s Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2010 Events of 2009 State of the World’s Minorities and Indigenous Peoples 2010 Acknowledgements Published July 2010 Minority Rights Group International (MRG) Production: Kristen Harrison gratefully acknowledges the support of all organizations Copy editing: Sophie Richmond and individuals who gave financial and other assistance Design: Tom Carpenter, Texture to this publication, including CAFOD, the European Printed in the UK Commission, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Minority Rights Group International 54 Commercial Street, London E1 6LT, United Minority Rights Group International Kingdom. Tel +44 (0)20 7422 4200, Fax +44 (0)20 Minority Rights Group International (MRG) is a non- 7422 4201, Email [email protected] governmental organization (NGO) working to secure Website www.minorityrights.org the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples worldwide, and to promote Getting involved cooperation and understanding between communities. MRG relies on the generous support of institutions Our activities are focused on international advocacy, and individuals to further our work. All donations training, publishing and outreach. We are guided received contribute directly to our projects with by the needs expressed by our worldwide partner minorities and indigenous peoples. network of organizations which represent minority One valuable way to support us is to subscribe to and indigenous peoples. MRG works with over 150 our report series. Subscribers receive regular MRG organizations in nearly 50 countries. Our governing reports and our annual review. We also have over Council, which meets twice a year, has members from 100 titles which can be purchased from our publi- State of 9 different countries.
    [Show full text]