A Common Program - with Local Flexibility

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Town Hall Meetings on Human Rights

To mobilize widespread public support and media attention for IN YOUR HANDS campaign objectives, every Town Hall Meeting must have some . . .

common program elements:

1. A White House Conference on Human Rights would bring together women, men, boys and girls of all races and all faiths to discuss those human rights issues of greatest concern in thier own communities. It would also provide an opportunity to strengthen America's leadership role in the international human rights arena.
   
   
2. Because the campaign aims to advance U.S. ratification of human rights treaties, Town Hall Meeting should feature advocacy for ratification of the next treaty "in line" to be considered by the U.S. Senate: the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
   
   
3. Similarly, because we intend to build an American constituency for arrest of the indicted war criminals, U.S. participation in an effective International Criminal Court and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, education and action to enhance public understanding of and support for these human rights institutions should be highlighted agenda.
   
   
4. The most encompassing of our goals -- to foster a wider appreciation of and commitment to the UDHR -- offers each Town Hall Meeting organizing team flexibility in determining what additional issues and categories of human rights receive a local spotlight.

local program elements:

1. Because the UDHR covers economic, social and cultural rights as well as civil and political rights, Town Hall Meetings provide an opportunity for social justice activists and ethnic and religious communities to frame local issues such as discrimination and inequality, housing, health care, poverty and hunger in terms of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
   
   
2. Along with the ten human rights issue areas outlined in the Community Action Guide -- a compelling array of education, discussion and action themes -- Town Hall Meetings might also shine a spotlight on 50th anniversary programs organized by participating organizations. Town Hall Meeting hosts will have the opportunity to emphasize issues closest to their hearts in the agendas of their local events.

Decision-making on the final agendas, featured speakers, themes and other characteristics of the Town Hall Meetings will be organized by IN YOUR HANDS campaign leadership in collaboration with host organizations/committees.