Fighting poverty, advocating Human Rights

„It happens - not here, but right now“ - Under this slogan, Amnesty International Switzerland launched a campaign in 2006 to call into consciousness that human rights are violated daily. 

This workshop will attempt to show you why human rights ought to be universal and thus of universal concern. In a globalised world, it should be the task of each and every one of us to speak up against human rights violations that are committed all over the world at any moment.

However, to fight for the respect of human rights, information is of utmost importance. Only informed action will lead to the desired end. An example: did you ever think about poverty as a human rights violation? Or are you one of those who think, at least in private, that whoever is poor is to be blamed for it him/herself?

In recognition of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the theme that has been chosen by the UN for this year's observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October) is "Human Rights and Dignity of People Living in Poverty".

We take advantage of this occasion and invite a couple of Human Rights organisations to discuss with you how poverty and human rights are interlinked and what YOUth can contribute to improve the present situation. We will show you that one of the main concerns is to increase the advocacy impact of people living in poverty in order to allow them to fight for their own rights. However, somebody who is not listened to by the authorities will never get more power. Therefore, they depend on your help to get their voices heard. 

Whether it is from your home desk, by joining a local human rights group, or by getting involved at the international level, your support will be needed and the organizations attending this event will present you some innovative and crazy ideas of what you can do - if only you are motivated and ready to sacrifice a little bit of your time - or even more, offer you an internship or a job in the area of Human Rights.

Through this workshop we hope to be able to show you that the smallest act can have a major impact - if you do it in the right way. In addition we will show you how and where to obtain more information on what you can do. And, last but not least, this workshop will prove you that fighting for human rights can be lots of fun too!

Possible partner organisations:

-   Introduction: OHCHR, UNDP (or a professor)

-   Getting involved abroad and action for people living in CH: Caritas, ATD Quatre Monde…

-   Getting involved in CH/Europe for people living in poverty abroad: Amnesty International Switzerland (human dignity campaign)