Welcome
I am pleased to confirm that the 2013 Canadian Association of Statuatory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA) Conference will be held in the City of Halifax, Nova Scotia from Wednesday, May 29th through Friday, May 31st.
This national conference is an excellent opportunity for member agencies, human rights leaders, researchers, academics, students, NGO’s, government representatives and other equity seekers to meet and share ideas, develop best practices in the field of human rights and discuss trends and substantive topics.
The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission, with the assistance of the Atlantic Human Rights Centre, is excited to be hosting this year’s CASHRA conference. The Conference will feature keynote and plenary speeches as well as armchair discussions from human rights leaders, academics and operational experts.
I want to take this opportunity to personally invite you to attend this exciting event and to partake in our famous east coast hospitality. I hope you will save the May 29-31 dates as part of your 2013 plans and even extend your stay to take in some of the extraordinary cultural events, heritage sites as well as the beautiful scenery offered here in Nova Scotia.
We look forward to welcoming you to Canada’s Ocean Playground this May.
Sincerely,
David W. Shannon
Director & CEO
Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
Conference Overview
Each year CASHRA hosts an annual conference in late spring. This is an excellent opportunity for member agencies, human rights leaders, researchers, academics, students, nongovernmental organizations, government representatives and other equity seekers to meet and share ideas, develop best practices in the field of human rights and discuss trends and substantive topics.
The main theme for the 2013 Conference is Renewing the Vision for Human Rights. The focus will be on evolving substantive human rights and campaigns of public awareness that will provide forward looking human rights leadership.
The 21st century is already presenting significant challenges to both corporate and individual citizens in achieving equality and inclusivity and improving quality of life in a rapidly expanding global community. This cannot be done without a genuine connection between these goals and the promotion of human rights. CASHRA 2013 will draw a unique balance of social leaders who not only are interested in, but also are committed to, improving the standards of all citizens and mapping a path for the future.
The CASHRA 2013 conference “Renewing the Vision” has three goals:
1) To have the delegate leave with the tools and empowerment to make one change within their organization;
2) To have the delegate leave with the tools and empowerment to make one change within their community; and
3) To have the delegate leave with new ideas and empowerment to make one change personally for the advancement of human rights.
CASHRA 2013 will be held in the capital city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Halifax has a storied history dating back to its founding in 1749 as a garrison port for the British military. Today, Halifax boasts as being a vibrant and modern city being proud of its heritage, multiculturalism and its reputation as the academic centre of Atlantic Canada.
On Wednesday May 29th to Friday May 31st, 2013 join us at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel in celebrating the 2013 Annual CASHRA Conference.
Please visit the Program tab for an overview of the current workshop sessions.
Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA)
CASHRA is the Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies. It is made up of twelve constituent members representing the provinces and territories of Canada. CASHRA is charged with administering federal, provincial and territorial human rights legislation. Its goals are to foster collaboration among its members and to serve as a national voice on human rights issues of common concern.
More information concerning CASHRA can be found at www.CASHRA.ca
Host of CASHRA 2013 – The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
In 1967 Nova Scotians took the bold step of creating a Human Rights Commission to research, educate the public and advise government in the area of human rights. In 1969 the government of the day passed watershed legislation called the Human Rights Act of Nova Scotia.
The mandate of the Commission has grown since its inception and the purview of the legislation has expanded, maturing with the expectations and needs of the citizenry. To this day the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) continues the good work of its founding pioneers. Mandated to help build inclusive communities and to promote and protect the human rights of all Nova Scotians, the NSHRC is the lead provincial organization in its field. While other organizations tend to concentrate on the issues central to their constituents, only the NSHRC tends to the human rights of all Nova Scotians and maintains the multiple bridges between government and the many diverse communities and groups within this province.
More information about the NSHRC can be found at HumanRights.gov.ns.ca
Mandate of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission:
The NSHRC is committed to actively engage and work with all Nova Scotians as well as our diverse communities to effectively:
• advance equity and dignity;
• foster positive and respectful relations; and
• protect human rights.
Vision of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission
The NSHRC believes in and is committed to:
• restorative processes;
• respectful and productive relationships;
• inclusivity;
• service excellence;
• continuous learning through research and innovation;
• transparency.