Dear all,
I hope this finds everyone well, keeping safe in face of COVID's 'third wave', and managing to get through the end of academic year.
I am writing about a few matters, as follows:
First, it has come to our attention that colleagues from U of Winnipeg had been for some time interested in joining CAHRI but, upon consulting the CAHRI webpagehttps://wp.stu.ca/ahrc/association-of-canadian-human-rights-institutes/, were unsure about how to do this, who to contact and whether the organization was even still active. Of course, we are a 'loose' organisation. Still, to avoid this kind of problem, we would like to propose two ideas. First, each CAHRI member entity should nominate one person who will be the contact for CAHRI and whose address will be posted on the webpage at the end of the intro section. Second, we could list joint activities such as the Canadian Yearbook of Human Rightshttps://cdp-hrc.uottawa.ca/en/publications/canadian_yearbook_human_rights and initiatives for CAHRI members like the recently launched Essay Competition on the Rights of the Childhttps://droitcivil.uottawa.ca/interdisciplinary-research-laboratory-rights-child/competitions from LRIDE. I imagine that there could be additional initiatives to list in the future like conferences/events and others. This can be done using lists and links, like we have done for the section Academic Programs. If we are in agreement on this, then my colleague Viviana Fernandez could provide the updates.
Second, regarding the Yearbook, we should soon hold a meeting of Editors (those who expressed interest - one per CAHRI Member entity permitted). The 2019-2020 issue is shaping up with a view to publication this summer. We should also then look toward the next (fourth) volume for 2021 or 2021-2022.
Third, it strikes us as of immediate shared interest that 2022 will be the 40th anniversary of the 1982 Constitution including the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In this respect, we/HRREC will be holding some events (as it also coincides - 2021-2022 - with the 40th anniversary of our Centre which was created in close connection with the work on the Charter). In these regards, we believe the Canadian Yearbook of Human Rights (2021 or 2021-2022) should focus on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and we also wish to organise a conference including CAHRI members. We would like to discuss this idea. One unexpected development in yesterday's Federal budget appears to be the resurrection of the Law Commission of Canada - and institution we should embrace.
In follow-up to the above, and any other issues, it would be good to hold a CAHRI meeting soon (perhaps in early or mid-May). We will send a Doodle to propose dates and times. Your feedback and in-puts would of course all be welcome.
Thank you for your attention.
Best regards and wishes,
John
Prof. John Packer
Neuberger-Jesin Professor of International Conflict Resolution
Professeur Neuberger-Jesin sur la résolution de conflits internationaux
Directeur, Centre de recherche et d'enseignement sur les droits de la personne
Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre
Université d'Ottawa | University of Ottawa
Et/and Faculté de droit | Faculty of Law
Pavillon Fauteux Hall
57 Louis-Pasteur, Ottawa,
Ontario, K1N 6N5
Canada
Tél. | Tel: +1 613-562-5800 (3462)
Téléc. | Fax: +1 613-562-5124
jpacker@uottawa.camailto:jpacker@uottawa.ca
@JP_Peacemaking
www.cdp-hrc.uottawa.cahttp://www.cdp-hrc.uottawa.ca/