CANADIAN STUDENTS PRAISE HUMAN RIGHTS DAY PROGRAM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 003649 SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL/SEA - PETER SAWCHYN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL KPAO CA ID SUBJECT: CANADIAN STUDENTS PRAISE HUMAN RIGHTS DAY PROGRAM REF: A. (A) SECSTATE 202764 ¶B. (B) OTTAWA 03380 -------------- The Embassy Hosts Fourth Grade Students -------------- ¶1. On December 8, Ambassador David H. Wilkins hosted 55 fourth grade students from the Glen Ogilvie Elementary School in Gloucester, their teachers and a dozen chaperones at the Embassy in Ottawa to observe the 57th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. The highlight of the two-hour visit was Ambassador Wilkins reading of "If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks" by Faith Ringgold, the graphics of which were projected onto a screen for all to see. Prior to the reading, the students passed through security, prompting a discussion of the importance of effective security procedures. The group received a brief tour of the Embassy, an explanation of its role and responsibilities, a mini-lesson on American civics as well as a farewell holiday ginger cookie and fruit. At the end of the reading, the Ambassador, seated comfortably in a chair with the students surrounding him on the floor, warmly responded to questions like "Who is your favorite hero?" "What does this story mean to you?" and "Did you ever meet Rosa Parks?" He stressed how fortunate Canadians and Americans are to live in countries that respect basic human rights. ¶2. On December 6, Poloff and OMS visited the school to frame the visit, discuss the U.S. role in the creation of the International Declaration on Human Rights and introduce some of the players in America's Civil Rights Movement. This provided the opportunity to discuss Eleanor Roosevelt as well as Canadian John Peters Humphrey, early collaborators on writing and passing the original document. OMS Carolyn Alston taught the students the Negro spiritual "O Freedom" from the book and the students sang it for Ambassador Wilkins during Thursday's reading. To express their appreciation, each of the two classes made student presentations to the Ambassador of a handmade, signed card and a book with pictures and stories about each student's ethnic background and country of origin. The teacher told poloff that, prior to this Human Rights Day program, she had not had a chance to focus on her class's diversity and was appreciative of the incentive. ¶3. Both the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the A-Channel broadcast the event on their evening news shows. During a personal interview by one station with a student attending the event, the student said he learned "that each person can make a difference" and, when asked how it was to meet the American Ambassador, he replied "I think he's a really cool guy!" One parent chaperone said to poloff, "I didn't realize how special coming to the Embassy would be. This was great!" For photos of the event and links to U.S. human rights policy and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, visit the Embassy's website at www.usembassycanada.gov. -------------- Human Rights Events Across Canada -------------- ¶4. Human Rights Day events took place across Canada and included the Montreal-based Rights and Democracy event at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, attended by poloff, on December 8. The GoC-sponsored NGO, created by Canada's Parliament in 1988, presented the 14th annual John Humphrey Freedom Award to Yan Christian Warinussy, a human rights lawyer and the Executive Director of the Institute for Research, Analysing and Development of Legal Aid, in Manokwari, West Papua. In the presence of the Minister Counselor from the Indonesian Embassy, Mr. Warinussy, dressed in traditional tribal clothing, condemned what he characterized as Indonesia's brutal 43 year repressive occupation and challenged the Canadian Government to facilitate peaceful dialogue between the Government of Indonesia and West Papuans. His colleague, Octovianus Motte, a West Papuan activist who received asylum in the United States and whom the laureate had not seen in eight years, accused the Indonesian government of "genocide, summary executions and rape." For more information about Warinussy's organization, visit www.pacificpeoplespartnership.org. ¶5. On December 2, ConGen-Montreal CG attended the Human Rights Day event sponsored by the International Centre for Human Rights Education or EQUITAS, previously known as the Canadian Human Rights Foundation. The organization provides overseas human rights training seminars and offers a summer internship program for Canadian youth. Senator Romeo Dallaire, Canadian Lieutenant General, former Force Commander of the United Nations Mission to Rwanda and member of the Prime Minister's Special Advisory Team on Sudan, was the featured speaker. ¶6. On November 28, Toronto Mayor David Miller honored thirteen people and organizations who contributed to the elimination of violence, racism, sexism, homophobia, homelessness, hate crimes, hunger, poverty and illiteracy. 2005 recipients included the Native Learning Centre, The Lesbian and Gay Community Appeal and the Toronto Chapter of the Chinese Canadian National Council. ¶7. Comment: Post believes that the invitation to the 55 Ottawa school students resonated well beyond those in attendance, in part due to the media coverage and in part due to the fact that an additional 100 parents were made aware that their children had been welcomed into what is sometimes unfortunately perceived as a nearly impenetrable fortress, the American Embassy in Ottawa. Post will continue to explore other appropriate opportunities to engage young, potential leaders by both inviting them to the Embassy for additional programming as well as finding appropriate venues for the Ambassador to get out the U.S. human rights message. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS