International Centre for Human Rights Education
Aim
Work for the advancement of equality, social justice and respect for human rights in Canada and around the world through transformative human rights education programs; equip local human rights defenders and educators to build more inclusive communities and to contribute to social and economic development goals through democratic participation.
History
Equitas was founded by a group of scholars and social activists with the mandate to advance democracy, human development, peace and social justice through education programs when John Humphrey, one of the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, left his position at the United Nations to return to McGill University.
IRD Activities
- Human Rights Educators - Promoting Religious Harmony and Inter-Faith Dialogue
Through research, dialogue, education, and community interventions, this project will enhance understanding between and amongst different religious groups in Sri Lanka, promote social harmony, and foster inter-ethnic and inter-religious coexistence. The project aims in the long term, to contribute to reducing inter-religious tensions in Sri Lanka, to generate a spirit of tolerance and understanding, to contribute to a promotion of religious diversity, and to develop lessons for other societies experiencing similar conflict. The objectives of the program are the following: 1) to capture and map the recent upsurge in inter-religious violence in Sri Lanka, identify good practices and document positive examples of coexistence and social harmony, 2) to enhance the capacity of civil society organisations, including community based organisations, to promote inter-faith dialogue and engage in social interventions that will foster inter-religious harmony and promote the human rights of all members of the community, and 3) to engage key stakeholders including policy makers, parliamentarians, members of the clergy, the business sector and civil society leaders in a dialogue at the national and regional levels on strategies to foster religious harmony and promote peaceful coexistence.
Main Focus Countries of Activities
Sri Lanka