Canberra seminar to explore how human rights help fix critical social challenges

With so many issues currently impacting on the rights of people across Australia, an upcoming seminar in Canberra is set to unpack how we can fix wrongs with rights.

With growing concerns around social cohesion, the right to peaceful protest, housing affordability, economic inequality, and the impact of climate change and digital technologies, The Answer Is Human Rights seminar will focus on how human rights can help us address these and other challenging issues.

Presented by the Australian Human Rights Commission in partnership with the ACT Human Rights Commission, the seminar is part of the Commission's national program to mark its 40-year anniversary as Australia's national human rights institution.

With a panel of leading national and local human rights advocates, the seminar will explore how better protection of human rights will make our communities safer and fairer. Revitalising Australia's commitment to human rights at the national level will be discussed as well as proposals for addressing a range of key issues for ACT residents.

The FREE seminar will be held on Wednesday 29 April, 6pm - 7:30pm at Louie Louie (Verity Lane), 50 Northbourne Ave, Canberra. Light refreshments will be served.

Speakers are: AHRC President Hugh de Kretser; AHRC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss; ACT Human Rights Commission President/Human Rights Commissioner Dr Penelope Mathew; and Canberra Rape Crisis Centre Nguru Support Program Manager Paula McGrady.

Commission President Hugh de Kretser: 'For most of us, most of the time, Australia is a great place to live. But despite our nation's wealth, many people are struggling. It's in everyone's interest to protect human rights. Protecting human rights promotes equality, safety, dignity and prosperity for all people in Australia. Stronger human rights protections will help us address challenges from fraying social cohesion to housing affordability.

'A stronger commitment to human rights from both the Australian and ACT governments would protect the values Australians care deeply about: equality, freedom, respect, dignity, kindness and looking out for each other.

'This seminar is for anyone who cares about Australia's future and about keeping our democracy healthy and strong.'

ACT Human Rights Commission President Dr Penelope Mathew: 'Now more than ever, we need to strengthen both Australia's and the ACT's commitment to and accountability for protecting human rights and preventing discrimination. This is a not-to-be-missed event for anyone with an interest in human rights, social justice and anti-discrimination to be involved in a very timely discussion about how we can fix wrongs with rights.'

The Answer is Human Rights | Canberra seminar

• Tuesday 29 April, 6pm - 7:30pm
• Louie Louie (Verity Lane), 50 Northbourne Ave, Canberra
• REGISTER NOW

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