Annual Report WHY HUMAN 2016-2017 RIGHTS EDUCATION MATTERS EQUITAS – INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION HEAD OFFICE IN MONTREAL, CANADA 666 Sherbrooke West, Suite 1100 Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1E7 Tel.: 514.954.0382 [email protected] OUR MISSION BRITISH COLUMBIA REGIONAL OFFICE Based in Montreal, Equitas is Canada’s most recognized and active human rights education 726 -736 Granville Street, organization. We work for the advancement of equality, social justice and respect for Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1G3 human rights. Through transformative education programs, we empower people to challenge inequality and discrimination, and take action to make their communities better Tel.: 604.876.4881 places to be. In the last 50 years, we have reached over 3.2 million people worldwide. FOLLOW US /equitas EQUITAS AT A GLANCE @EquitasIntl FOUNDED IN 1967 You can help provide support for social STAFF OF 40 PEOPLE change by giving to Equitas today! 18 BOARD MEMBERS Visit our website at www.equitas.org AN OPERATING BUDGET OF $5.4 MILLION IN 2016-2017 MORE THAN 5,000 HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS TRAINED FROM 140 COUNTRIES MORE THAN 800,000 CHILDREN AND YOUTH REACHED IN CANADA IN 45 COMMUNITIES This year marked the end of the Chairmanship of the Equitas Board by Melissa Sonberg. Over the past 4 years, Melissa has done outstanding work in bringing Equitas to what it is today, a strong and innovative organization recognized in Canada and around the globe. Under Melissa’s leadership, new partnerships were fostered, public engagement was increased and financial stability was reinforced. Strategic thinking, collaboration and passion for positive social change were at the heart of her stewardship, and are a part of her legacy as she continues COVER PHOTO: to act as a Board member and, above all, remains a dear friend and supporter. Participants at the 2016 International Human Thank you, Melissa! Rights Training Program in Montreal, Canada. © Mikaël Theimer (www.mikaeltheimer.com) 2 WE ARE HUMAN RIGHTS CHANGEMAKERS 2017 is a big year for Equitas and we are excited about using our 50th Anniversary to propel us into the next half century. 50 years ago, human rights visionaries like John P. Humphrey, Thérèse Casgrain, Gustave Gingras, Harry Batshaw and Paul-André Crépeau came together to establish Equitas (originally the Canadian Human Rights Foundation) as an organization dedicated to education about the principles and values of human rights. We are proud today that we have stayed true to the vision of our founders and Equitas is recognized as a global leader in the field of human rights education and training. Equitas continues to be rooted as a groups that have been marginalized – to Montreal-based organization, with an become leaders in their communities important national and global impact. Our and to engage decision makers to bring team of 40 delivers innovative human about positive change. We’ve developed rights education programs in Montreal, in new programming to protect the rights over 45 communities across Canada and of LGBTQI persons, built the leadership in 11 countries overseas. Our programs skills of young women and used new benefit over 100,000 Canadian children technologies to engage youth and and youth and over 250,000 people build more welcoming communities for overseas every year. newcomers and refugees. We’ve also put in place new tools and approaches to Our success has been built over 50 years evaluate the impact of our work and to because of the dedication and hard work share the wealth of knowledge and good of our partners, supporters, volunteers, practices emerging between our national board and staff members. For this reason, and global networks of human rights we have chosen to mark our anniversary educators. by documenting and sharing the stories of 50 of the many people who have been To cap off our 50th anniversary celebration instrumental in helping us have such an year, we are bringing together over 300 important global impact. These inspiring human rights changemakers, as we André Beaulieu stories spanning 5 decades showcase the host the 8th International Conference Chair concrete changes that result from human on human rights education in Montreal, rights education and remind us that we at the end of 2017. This global forum can all be human rights changemakers. will provide a platform for documenting We take this opportunity to thank all the good practices and will help to illustrate changemakers who are part of the Equitas how human rights education can be a community and everyone who is working response to global challenges. The results to make the values of equality, inclusion of the Conference and partnerships that and respect for diversity a reality for all. result will help to solidify Equitas’ position as an innovator in the field of human Ian Hamilton 2017 also marks the end of Equitas’ rights education, ensuring we continue Executive Director most recent 5-year strategic plan and to play a leading role in the human rights we are excited by the opportunities and movement for many years to come. We challenges in front of us as we launch a hope you will join us in this endeavor. new strategic reflection in 2018. Over the last 5 years, Equitas has focused Sincerely, on building the ability of women, girls, men, boys – particularly those from 3 Gender equality and a human-rights based approach are front and center in all Equitas HIGHLIGHTS 2016-2017 human rights education programming. Equitas launches its national youth In Montreal, the International Human 18 new coaches are trained engagement model (Speaking Rights) Rights Training Program welcomes in Senegal to support the with 15 key partners. 6,000 youth 100 human rights defenders from implementation of Community (15-24 yrs) across Canada gain 50 countries dedicated to being Action Projects that promote valuable knowledge about rights and drivers of social change globally. access to education for girls and responsibilities, and are active leading the reduction of violence against youth projects to build inclusive and women and girls through a welcoming communities nationally. human-rights based approach. The Government of Canada provides more than $1 million in support. REMERCIEMENTS CANADA Over 200 Syrian children participate in weekly Equitas activities aimed at building a sense of connectedness and belonging in their new communities in British Columbia. UNITED STATES MOROCCO ALGERIA HAITI MAURITANIA MALI HONDURAS SENEGAL BURKINA 71 community leaders and state FASO actors commit to strategic actions IVORY COAST NIGERIA TOGO during the National Policy Dialogue in COLOMBIA LIBERIA GHANA Haiti to address human rights issues such as gender inequality, violence against children and marginalization PERU of people living with disabilities. BOLIVIA 19 defenders of the rights of LGBTI Inclusion and empowerment play a persons are trained to be more key role in the peace building process effective in their efforts to raise in Colombia. Through human-rights awareness about equality and respect based Community Action Projects, for diversity in Haiti. more than 2,000 people are mobilized to challenge inequality and take action to promote greater participation of women, children and youth in their communities. 4 Close to 40 human rights leaders The 2016 East Africa Human Rights Our Joussour Project provided in Francophone Africa, including Program brings together 26 human opportunities for 93 youth – including representatives from civil society, rights defenders and educators 53 young women – and decision national human rights institutions, working on a diverse range of issues makers in the MENA region to law enforcement authorities and from across the region. Participants collaborate to build more inclusive governments, participate in the came from Uganda, Tanzania, South democracies. Youth leaders actively Regional Training Session on Human Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya and Burundi. designed and implemented human Rights, Prevention of Torture and rights Community Action Projects Promotion of Gender Equality in across the region. Cameroon. REMERCIEMENTS Equitas programming in Sri Lanka focuses on promoting human rights, inclusion and religious harmony, and equipping communities to resist violent conflict. Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs referenced Equitas at the United Nations in 2016 as an example of Canada’s commitment to advancing inclusion and preventing UKRAINE inter-religious conflict in Sri Lanka, where communities are still trying to ALBANIA recover after the civil war. TURKEY ARMENIA CHINA TUNISIA LEBANON AFGHANISTAN ALGERIA JORDAN PAKISTAN NEPAL EGYPT INDIA BANGLADESH MALI MYANMAR LAOS VIETNAM BURKINA SUDAN THAILAND PHILIPPINES FASO CAMBODIA NIGERIA CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC TOGO CAMEROON SRI LANKA MALAYSIA CONGO RD UGANDA After an Equitas training on how to RWANDA KENYA INDONESIA use a human rights-based approach BURUNDI TANZANIA for social change, 19 organizations collaborate with community leaders and marginalized groups to tackle violence against women and children in communities in Tanzania. SOUTH AFRICA IHRTP PARTICIPANTS EQUITAS PRESENCE 5 WE PROVIDE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS TO BE AGENTS OF CHANGE HOW CAN WE ENSURE WOMEN AND GIRLS HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL? HOW CAN WE SUPPORT THE FULL PARTICIPATION OF ALL WOMEN, MEN AND LGBTQI PERSONS? PROMOTING GENDER Strengthening human rights is essential the first time, brought together state to advancing gender equality. authorities and community members to EQUALITY IS AT THE HEART OF That’s why more than 1,380 women find solutions to discrimination. More than HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION, and girls in Tanzania used a human- 11,000 people – including 5,400 women rights based approach in 2016-2017 to – were reached by the Community Action AND IMPLEMENTED IN challenge inequality. The Community Projects following the Dialogue. EVERYTHING WE DO. Action Projects have empowered them to be more confident to report human rights violations, interact with local leaders on issues that affect them and participate in Working in close collaboration with our local decision-making.