May 31st Invitation
10 December 2008 (10.12) will mark 60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the basis for modern international and national human rights law, including within the UK. From 2008, once the Beijing Olympics are over, international focus will shift to the UK (2012). 'Project 10.12 - 2012' aims to reclaim Human Rights for all, from the grassroots, and to actively secure them within every community. Basically, we want everyone to be involved in decision-making, and we aim to develop a living manifesto to ensure the implementation of all key rights (including that of democratic self-determination) in the UK by 2012.
Our plan is to facilitate a series of rights (or, if you prefer, rights and resistance) workshops, each on a different theme, from May to November leading to a larger event on 10 December 2008 ('Humanity in the UK'). Each themed workshop will begin the important process of teasing out areas of concern to grassroots people working in the field in question. This process will help us to develop a cogent programme, while also educating others about the concrete work needed to make 'inalienable Human Rights' a reality for all.
First Project 2012 Workshop & Video Session
Saturday 31st May 2-5pm
Conservatory Café, Methodist Central Hall, Near Parliament Square, Westminster
To develop the Project 2012 campaign, get closer to a workable model and share facilitation skills for the coming months our first workshop on May 31st will be on the topic of 'how to hold workshops'. Individuals or group reps may wish to attend to learn facilitation skills from our expert trainers aswell as find out more about the overall project. After the workshop session there will be an opportunity to go on camera in Westminster with Rikki Blue (film maker behind Socpa The Movie ( http://www.socpa-movie.blogspot.com). This will allow participants to raise the profile of their issue on-line and engage with members of the public about Human Rights in the UK at the same time.
Wider Aims
The overall aims of the 10.12 -2012 Human Rights in the UK project and the workshops associated with it are to develop a programme or living manifesto for change:
* Commemorating the 60th anniversary of the UDHR, reflecting on the history of human rights http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
* Connecting individuals and groups involved in rights-based work
* Encouraging the development of a workable model of civil society and new forms of constructive resistance
* Considering the practical application of Article 1 of the UNCCPR, the right to self determination http://www.hrweb.org/legal/cpr.html
* Mobilising to challenge these processes by 2012
* Considering the EU project's overall emphasis in the context of rights and democracy
Volunteers - how to Get Involved..
We're looking to involve any groups and individuals who wish to promote key human rights for workshop facilitation. This is a wide project, so a long list is inevitable, but those interested in rights relating to constitution, planning, land, housing, healthcare, education, public services, right to protest, freedom of association, women's rights, workers' rights, migrants' rights, disability rights, prisoners rights, children's right, homeless rights, mental health, animals, nature and/or others are all very welcome.
Also, we would like to hear from people skilled at networking, workshop facilitation, conference organisation, leafleting, performance art, funding, venue provision and anyone else with time, skill or resources to offer! Basically any/all of the above - please get in touch.
For more info, or to offer a skill, suggest a workshop or register a place on the 31st please email: greenpeaproject@gmail.com, text / call 0785 439 0408 or check for updates on www.peopleincommon.org
Best wishes
The Project 2012 Team