NSW Charter of Human Rights

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the International Declaration on Human Rights, the NSW Charter Group is launching a competition for the best film under two minutes that illustrates why Australia needs human rights protection. Several organisations have already donated cash prizes. The larger the prize the more entrants we can attract. Please contact Brenda (brenda@piac.asn.au) if you would like to contribute to the pool or sponsor a prize for a specific target group (for example a prize for young entrants under 18). More information on how to enter will follow.

UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (1948)

(60 years on - has the golden thread of human rights unravelled?)

Thursday 27 November, 2008 @ 6 for 6.30 pm

THAT!(The Talking Heads at Toxteth) panellists are:

JOHN DOWD                    Former State Attorney-General and Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW, International Commission of Jurists (President)            

STUART REES                   Director, Sydney Peace Foundation and

                                         Internationalist 

ED SANTOW                     Senior Lecturer in Law, UNSW and Director,

                                         Charter of Human Rights Project, Gilbert & Tobin

                                         Center (sic) of Public Law

THAT!  AUDIENCE            Discussion encouraged– so come prepared

NOTE:   Also attached to the covering email is a Motion for an Australian Charter of Human Rights (drafted by Prof. George Williams) – this Motion will be put (without amendment) to the Meeting.   If you wish to fully participate in this session google, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

VIEWER ADVICE:  This session is rated LLR for laws, liberties & rights

The venue is the upstairs function room of the Toxteth Hotel, 345 Glebe Point Road, Glebe (cnr Ferry Road)

 Senior & Pensioner discounts available at Bar but not for sessions – see Donation below for others

Join us for dinner after for a “buy one get one free” meal deal

DINNER RESERVATIONS ESSENTIAL  -  see Inquiries below

Donation:   $10   –    FREE  for Benefits recipients, full-time students, unwaged                 

Convenors:      Kate Barton,  Alexandra Penfold,  Helen Randerson

Inquiries:         katebarton3@optusnet.com.au   or  Tel:    9518.5560

The Inaugural Evatt Annual Lecture will be presented by the Attorney-General, The Hon. Robert McClelland MP on the topic, ‘Getting into Gear for the next 60 years‘.

When: Tuesday 9 December 2008

Time:  6.30 - 7.30pm

Where:  Eastern Avenue Auditorium, University of Sydney

Cost:   Free - RSVP:  admin@evatt.usyd.edu.au or 02 8090 1170

The Australian Human Rights Commission is pleased to present the fifth of
its seminar series celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights, entitled ‘Human Rights, Equality and
Fundamental Freedoms: What Difference does a Human Rights Act Make?’.

To present the seminar, we are delighted to have Lord Bingham of Cornhill,
pre-eminent human rights jurist and former Senior Law Lord of the House of
Lords, the highest judicial office in the United Kingdom. His influential
rulings under UK and European human rights law have been significant to the
promotion and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

The newly appointed President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, The
Hon. Catherine Branson QC, will provide a response to the presentation of
Lord Bingham with particular focus on human rights protection in Australia.

The seminar will be chaired by Graeme Innes AM, Human Rights Commissioner
and Disability Discrimination Commissioner.

The Seminar will take place on Thursday, 11 December from 12.30-2.00pm at:

The Hearing Room
Level 8
Australian Human Rights Commission.
Level 8, Piccadilly Tower
133 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW  2000

Entry is free but places are limited. Please RSVP to
associate@humanrights.gov.au by close of business Friday, 28 November.

Friday 29 August 2008 and

Friday 10 October 2008

Both in the Sydney CBD.  Download flyer: Protecting Human Rights - train the trainer for more information

Hilary Charlesworth is an Australian Research Council Federation Fellow, Professor in RegNet and Director of the Centre for International Governance and Justice, ANU. She also holds an appointment as Professor of International Law and Human Rights in the ANU College of Law. Her research interests are in international law and human rights law. She was the inaugural President of the Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law (1997-2001).

Hilary Charlesworth was Co-Editor of the Australian Yearbook of International Law from 1996 to 2006 and a member of the Board of Editors of the American Journal of International Law since 1999. She has worked with various non-governmental human rights organisations on ways to implement international human rights standards and was chair of the ACT Government’s inquiry into an ACT bill of rights, which culminated in the adoption of the ACT Human Rights Act 2004. She is Patron of the ACT Women’s Legal Service and a patron of the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture.

WHEN: Monday 21 July, 2008 - 5.30 for 6.00pm

WHERE: Corr Chambers Westgarth, Level 32, Governor Phillip Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney

TO BOOK: (02) 9252.3366 or mail@thesydneyinstitute.com.au

In the Sydney CBD - This one-day workshop will equip you with knowledge and skills to conduct
human rights training in your network, group, organisation or sector. Many
of the rights we take for granted have no protection under Australian law.
Human rights are a way of promoting social justice for disadvantaged
people. This training will be useful for anyone who is interested in
understanding and speaking out about human rights.

For more information, download the flyer and booking form: Human Rights training

Friday 29 August 2008.

From Glebe Books

Wednesday March 12, 6.30 for 7pm

BERNADETTE BRENNAN
Just Words: Australian authors writing for justice

Panel: Bernadette Brennan, Frank Brennan, Peter Manning Chair: Justice MICHAEL KIRBY

This distinguished panel will discuss: Can words make Australia a better place? Can writing help to inform a collective national consciousness? Over the past decade Australians have witnessed a significant shift to more insular and conservative economic, ethical and cultural norms. The problems of valuing and achieving justice seem more acute than ever, yet the solutions to those problems are not obvious nor are those in power taking the lead. In this powerful collection, Australian writers explore the relationship between writing and justice, a relationship utterly dependent on informed, ethical readers.

Events: $10/$7 conc. gleeclub welcome
Launches: free

Bookings for both essential
Phone the shop on 9660 2333
Or go to gleebooks.com.au/events

A function organised by the Sydney Institute:

Speaker: NSW Attorney General and Minister for Justice, The Hon. John Hatzistergos MLC

Date: Thursday 10 April 2008

Time: 5.30 for 6.00pm

Venue: NSW State Parliament House Theatrette, Macquarie Street, Sydney

Cost:   $10 or $5 for students

Bookings: from 28 March only

Contact: The Sydney Institute on 9252.3366 or mail@thesydneyinstitute.com.au

This is the first in a two part series that will allow members of the Bar to contribute to and participate in the debate regarding a Charter of rights. The Hon Michael McHugh AO QC will address members of the Bar on the topic “Does Australia need a Bill of Rights?”. Anna Katzmann SC will chair the seminar. Members are encouraged to attend both seminars. Time will be allocated at the end of each session for questions and comment. Flyer on the event

contact Jo Musumeci: