Freedom, Respect, Equality, Dignity
Human Rights Conference
Melbourne, 27 February 2007
ANZ Pavilion, Melbourne Arts Centre, St Kilda Rd
"It was a great day, It was interesting and important to know what has been achieved over the last 30 years & most importantly to know that there is still much to be done. Thank you"
"What a privilege to be at yesterday's conference. It had it all! Great atmosphere, top notch speakers, some provocative images and ideas, a few trips down memory lane, an eye to the future, high energy, laughs and even a few near tears."
"Genuinely inspirational and highlighted this as a real opportunity to strengthen knowledge of a respect for human rights across the Victorian community.
"Well organised and run, great speakers & facilitators.
"Conference was varied, topical, pleasantly optimistic and oozing with energy."
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By all accounts the Human Rights Conference - Freedom, Respect, Equality, Dignity - was a huge success providing delegates with an exciting opportunity to reflect on the essence of what human rights means for us all. More than 300 people from the public sector, local government, legal profession, community and welfare organisations and Human rights advocates and educators attended the event at the Arts Centre on Tuesday 27th February
The day opened with a high energy and insightful presentation from participants from the previous day's Youth Forum - which set the scene for the rest of the day.
Highlights of the day included Julie McCrossin's dynamic moderation of the panel discussion that celebrated 30 years of anti-discrimination legislation in Victoria and the keynote address by Major Michael Mori.
Other highlights included Mayor of Hume City Council, Cr Gary Jungwirth talking about his municipality's pro-active approach to adopting its own Bill of Rights; Professor John Tobin's presentation on applying human rights to every day life and HREOC Commissioner Graeme Innes' presentation on same sex relationships.
The conference provided delegates with the opportunity to learn more about the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and the role of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Commission. It also provided a platform to share and expand their understanding of human rights, and contribute to debate about human rights issues.
As Victoria becomes the first state to launch a Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and marks the 30th anniversary of anti-discrimination legislation, the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria (to be renamed the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission) will stage a major conference on human rights.
In Australia we are lucky that we do not experience extreme human rights violations such as torture, however human rights abuses do occur. Racial discrimination is a human rights violation; sexual harassment is a human rights violation and while these may appear minor when compared to human rights abuses in other countries we cannot genuinely say that we are a community that respects human rights unless we continue to address existing human rights violations and have protections in place for other potential human rights abuses
The Commission's Human Rights Conference on 27 February 2007 will give participants an opportunity to gain a broader understanding of human rights as it applies to lives of Australians. Conference participants will hear from respected international speakers, engage in lively panel discussions and learn from the experiences of those working towards protecting the human rights of individual.
- Sir Nigel Rodley:
(Human Rights Law Resource Centre Visiting Fellow)
Commissioner of the International Commission of Jurists and member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee.
Human Rights and the Death Penalty - Major Michael Mori:
Major in the United States Marine Corps and military lawyer of Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks
The Retreat from Dignity in the War on Terror
- Dr Rob Moodie:
CEO, VicHealth
Beating Each Other Up: How Discrimination and Violence Destroys Our Health
- Graeme Innes AM:
Human Rights Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
Human Rights for Same Sex Couples
Conference Presentation Materials will soon be available for download, including audio files and transcripts of presentations.
Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria acknowledges the support of its Human Rights Conference Reference Group.
Members include: Federation of Community Legal Centres, Human Rights Forum, The University of Melbourne, Human Rights Law Resource Centre, Law Institute of Victoria, Public Interest Law Clearing House, The Charter Group, The Justice Project, Victoria Law Foundation, Victorian Council of Social Services, United Nations Association of Australia (Victoria), Victorian Government Solicitors Office.
© 1998-2006 Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria.
Authorised by the Equal Opportunity Commission Victoria, Level 3, 380 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Victoria, Australia