2009 DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 057344

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL OTRA KTEX ETRD ELAB ECON AMGT
ABUD, AFIN
SUBJECT: 2009 DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR
OFFICERS' TRAINING CONFERENCE-REGISTRATION NOW OPEN


1. This message contains action requests. See
paragraphs 4-6.


2. The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
(DRL) is pleased to announce that registration is now
open for the 2009 DRL Officers Conference. On behalf of
DRL, I would like to invite all democracy, human rights,
and labor officers and other interested officers to the
fifth annual DRL global conference to be held at the
Department of State in Washington, D.C., July 15-17,

2009.


3. As mentioned in ref tel STATE 35677, our goal for
this conference is threefold: to inform, update, and
train officers on policies regarding democracy, human
rights, and labor rights promotion so that they can help
develop and implement strategies to achieve those goals,
and enable the exchange of best practices on policy and
program implementation, advocacy, and reporting. The
2009 conference will have sessions on democracy
promotion efforts including electoral assistance, and
developing and implementing democracy and human rights
strategies, as well as on human rights promotion efforts
including updating Human Rights Reports, how to be a
more effective human rights officer, how religious
freedom promotes human rights, and how to use
intelligence community tools. The Conference will also
have several sessions specifically focused on labor
issues including child labor, forced labor, and labor
and climate change. Officers should visit the DRL
intranet site, http://drl.state.gov for the full agenda.

--------------
Logistics
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4. Scheduling: The conference will be held July 15-17
in the Harry S. Truman Building (HST). Overseas
participants should arrive by Tuesday, July 14, in order
to attend the opening session of the conference on the
morning of July 15. There will be a networking
reception with NGOs on Thursday, July 16. The
conference will conclude on Friday, July 17 at 5:30 pm.


5. Registration: Officers should register online for
the conference by July 2 via the DRL Intranet site,
http://drl.state.gov, where DRL also regularly posts
information about Bureau personnel, reporting
requirements, and special events. The site includes the
conference agenda, and will include background material
as it becomes available. Posts should also e-mail their
DRL country desk officer and their regional bureau's
human rights officer regarding their attendance.


6. Funding: The Department expects posts to fund
travel and per diem costs. DRL has a limited amount of
funding available for a portion of the travel costs of
those officers whose posts cannot pay; it will allocate
those funds based upon the number of requests and the
priority of the post in the Department's strategic goals
for the promotion of democracy and human and labor
rights. To request funding, please send a cost estimate
to pf-drl-reports@state.gov, and copy Isabel Gates
(GatesIN@state.gov),Susan Johnson
(JohnsonSR2@state.gov),and your DRL desk officer.
Please submit funding requests as soon as possible.




7. Accommodations: Following is a list of hotels
located near the Department with rates within USG per
diem.
-State Plaza, 202-861-8200 or toll-free at 800-424-
2859
-Courtyard by Marriott Arlington Rosslyn, 703-528-
2222 or toll-free at 800-321-2211
-Best Western Key Bridge, 703-522-0400
Hyatt Arlington, 703-525-1234
Holiday Inn Rosslyn Westpark, 703-807-2000 or toll-
free at 800-315-2621
Holiday Inn Georgetown, 202-338-4600 or toll-free
at 800-315-2621

8. Please direct questions regarding logistics and
funding to Isabel Gates (GatesIN@state.gov). Please
address questions regarding the conference agenda or

STATE 00057344 002 OF 002



9. We look forward to your participation in the 2009
Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Officers' Conference.


10. Minimize considered.
CLINTON