Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Recordings

Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Originally produced January 26, 2024

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. It has since served as a cornerstone of international human rights law, setting out fundamental principles and standards for the protection and promotion of human rights worldwide. The UDHR has been instrumental in shaping the legal landscape and inspiring advocates for justice, equality, and human dignity.

 
This commemorative program delves into the history of the UDHR, its profound impact, and its continued relevance in today’s world. We will examine its development, accomplishments, and the challenges it addresses. Hear from a diverse panel of practitioners and academics to inspire action to protect and promote human rights!

 
Program 1 - Hour 1: The Enduring Legacy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

This session will cover the adoption and goals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and offer a summary of the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights that it proclaims. It will also address the Declaration’s subsequent development and codification through dozens of multilateral treaties, as well as the means of its implementation, both domestically and through a range of international institutions. Its influence over the past seven decades will be examined, as will the contemporary challenges that human rights face from recalcitrant nationalist governments and, occasionally, overly zealous advocates. Finally, it will suggest the likely role that human rights may play in the next two decades.
Featuring:
Hurst Hannum – Tufts University, Medford, MA

Program 1 - Hour 2: The UDHR and Women’s Rights Around the Globe

Articles 2 and 7 of the UDHR enshrine women’s rights as human rights, and human rights as women’s rights. Since the UDHR was adopted in 1948, the rights of women overall have expanded exponentially. At the same time, however, recent years have seen not only advances, but also retrenchments, on women’s rights in many countries, and on a wide range of issues. This session details promising signs as well as troubling trends in gender equality today—abroad, and here at home in the U.S.—on matters ranging from the proposed Equal Rights Amendment (“ERA”), employment, and health care and reproductive justice, to child/forced marriage, human trafficking, “period poverty,” and so-called “female circumcision” (female genital mutilation, or FGM), as well as the campaign to include “gender apartheid” in the proposed International Convention on Crimes Against Humanity.
Featuring:
Judge Delissa Ridgway – U.S. Court of International Trade, New York City, NY

Program Link (both hours):

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4437117/9AEF27F73BAAECC4705DFE5A373656C2

 
Program 2: International Human Rights Law Since the Universal Declaration: Advances and Challenges
This panel will discuss critical human rights considerations such as: A human rights critique of International Criminal Justice, Article 26’s right to education as a fundamental human right, the rights of migrants, reparations and Indigenous rights.
Featuring: 

• Thomas Antkowiak – Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• Erin Carr – Seattle University, Seattle, WA
• Alejandra Gonza – Global Rights Advocacy, Seattle, WA
• Ronald Slye – Seattle University, Seattle, WA

Program Link (1 hour):

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4437118/AFE41ADAB66C4354FAA04A27D85A48D8 

Program 3 - Hour 1: UDHR at 75—The Relevance of the Universal Declaration to New Contexts: The Examples of Business and Human Rights

 
The Universal Declaration is the foundation for the human rights system we have in place today, as well as a constellation of human rights treaties and frameworks across the globe. It is also part of the architecture for how human rights are addressed in new contexts. This session explores the emerging field of business and human rights, and how the UDHR is relevant to corporate actors and global supply chains. This session also examines the environmental impact of business.

Featuring:
Anita Ramasastry – University of Washington, Seattle, WA

 

Program Link (1 hour): 
https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4437125/A5AAE5A4C8EC0EA2DC624E96A54B159C 

Program 4 - Hour 1: The UDHR in Everyday Washington Practice.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its application to the practice of law is fundamental and ever present for practitioners across Washington State, from tribal, state, and federal courtroom practice to our basic duties as officer of the court and our oaths to uphold the U.S. and Washington Constitutions and their laws. What does the UDHR mean in the context of the professional life and practice of a lawyer? Regardless of practice area it is posited that it is a fundamental part of being a licensed attorney in Washington State.

Featuring: 

Rajeev Majumdar – Whatcom Law Group, P.S., Blaine, WA

Program 4 - Hour 2: The UDHR and the Right to a Healthy Environment

Hear from the co-chair of the ABA’s International Human Rights Committee about human rights and climate change.
Featuring: 

Dr. Daniel Appelman – American Bar Association, Oakland, CA

Program Link (both hours):
https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4437127/6C9C40DCB7A4D37BB47B48381406B0F3

These program also feature :

• Program Co-Chair Laura Eshbach – WSBA World Peace Through Law Section Chair, and Landesa's Director of Corporate Engagement, Seattle, WA
• Program Co-Chair Randall Winn – WSBA World Peace Through Law Past Section Chair, Seattle, WA
• Producer Sally Romero, Education Programs Lead, Washington State Bar Association
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Viewing these recordings is free and open to all, but do not earn CLE Credit. To obtain CLE credit, please locate these programs in the WSBA CLE Store.