The Global Citizen Passport Program

Human Rights Day: December 10, 2016

November 22, 2016 – v3

Students of all ages are invited to join us on December 10th 2016 to commemorate Human Rights Day. Though it has now been 68 years since all members of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we must still stand up for our rights and our freedoms—an act that remains of incredible urgency today.Come and join us as we stand together in understanding, discussing, and defending the rights of all people across the globe, whether refugee or migrant, a person with disabilities, an LGBTQ person, a woman, a child, indigenous peoples, a minority group, or anyone else at risk of discrimination or violence.Come and join us as we reaffirm our common humanity.

Beginning at 9am at Desert Academy (7300 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505), we will take a group ofup to 75high school students, middle school students, and adult learners on an exploration and celebration of human rights.What is a human right? Why is it essential to understand and defend the rights, freedoms, securities, and responsibilities we all bear? What are some examples of human abuses and the international groups working to expose and prevent them? How are human rights violated—and protected—right here in New Mexico?And how might global citizens learn to take action to defend our common human rights?

The session will feature a catered lunch and conclude at 2:45pm.Best of all, this event is free for middle and high school students, and teachers.Adult learners must buy tickets at $45 each. As part of our Global Citizen Passport Program,all students must register to attend: are bringing in six outside experts to offer their unique perspectives and on-the-ground experience of defending human rights—globally and here in New Mexico.

Learning Outcomes

During this session, students will:

  • understand the theory and history of a human right;
  • understand how human rights are actively protected around the world through an examination of global leaders and case studies;
  • gain new tools and insights through legal simulations focused on a human rights dilemma;
  • learn how human rights are threatened in New Mexico; and
  • understand the types of action they might take to reaffirm human rights for all.

Students of all ages are expected to arrive with a short paragraph or story on how their family or families came to the United States or to the country in which they currently reside. Why did they choose to migrate?

Agenda

Time / Activity / Lead Instructor(s)
9:00 / Introduction to the day, and brief discussion of overall learning outcomes. Distribution of passages from literature, public policy, US Constitution etc.—these will be read by students throughout the day. / Yann Lussiez
9:10 / The global citizen and human rights. What is a global citizen and how does this help us understand human rights? What are the core values and responsibilities of the global citizen? How can this frame the day’s discussion of human rights? What is the equality of opportunity? / Sandy Campbell
9:30 / Culture of Origin – pair exercise. In pairs, students discuss their family story or stories—why did their family come to the USA or, for foreign students, to the country in which they currently reside?
9:40 / Small group discussion. Groups of pairs form to discuss fundamental reasons explaining why families migrate. What are the core threats, freedoms, and opportunities? / Lead students will organize groups, take notes
9:55 / Report back to plenary on findings. Q&A. / Lead students
10:05 / What is a human right?Who first conceived of a human right? How have human rights evolved from the French Revolution and US Constitution onward? What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?What role do human rights play in migration? / Leslie Livingston
10:25 / Health break
10:35 / Panel: Places and People. Panel discussion on the globalplaces and people illustrating core human rights abuses, resolutions, and ongoing challenges, including: Bosnia/Kosovo, Tibet, and South Africa / Donna Gomien
Jennifer Warren
Cecile Lipworth
11:15 / Video. Momondo: The DNA Journey. / Jennifer Warren
11:25 / Human Rights Dilemmas.Students will form in groups; each group will receive a specific/open-ended HR dilemma. They will have half an hour to research the dilemma, discuss their response, and then prepare how to argue their case (e.g. a policy response, a direct action) to the relevant authority. / Lead students
12:15 / Lunch. Participants will eat while participating in the next session.
12:25 / Human Rights Arguments. Groups make their case to a Tribunal of human rights judges. Q&A. / Yann Lussiez
Donna Gomien
Briget Mullins
Lynn Sanchez
Jess Clark
Sandy Campbell
1:00 / Panel: Human Rights in New Mexico. How are human rights violated—and protected—right here, every day?What is the extent of human trafficking in New Mexico? How can we prosecute offenders and stop human traffickers? / Lynn Sanchez Bridget Mullins
1:35 / Panel: Gender Equality and Human Rights.How are the rights of the LGBTQ community in New Mexico violated—and protected? A brief history of transgender liberation efforts within the context of the larger gay rights movement. / Jess Clark
Student TBD
1:55 / Presentation: Native Americans and Human Rights. Given the recent events at Standing Rock, how can we better understand Native American communities through human rights? / Nathana Bird
2:20 / Looking ahead.The action we as global citizens can taketo advance human rights in New Mexico and globally. Q&A. Distribution of evaluation cards: what did you learn and what comes next? Student offers his/her thoughts on the day. / Sandy Campbell
Leslie Livingston
Student TBD [the day’s eyes and ears]
2:45 / Closure

List of Speakers

Sandy Campbell—Executive Director, Santa Fe Council on International Relations

Yann Lussiez—Assistant Head of School, Desert Academy

Leslie Livingston—Executive Director of Operations & Student Life, Desert Academy

Jennifer Warren—Head of Admissions, Desert Academy

Bridget Mullins—NM Assistant Attorney General

Lynn Sanchez—Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative, the Life Link

Donna Gomien—International Human Rights Lawyer

Nathana Bird – Tewa Women United

Jess Clark—Solace Crisis Treatment Center

Someone to speak on Tibet – TBD

Cecile Lipworth