Podcasts about universal declaration

Our third installment of calming songs includes Max Richter's tribute to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ambient sounds from Ryuichi Sakamoto, Brazilian jazz from Wayne Shorter and more.Featured artists and songs:01. The Choir: "You Don't Have To Smile," from 'Translucent'02. Orbitalpatterns: "Cant Tell If Im Awake," from 'Extended Impostor Syndrome'03. alva noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto: "Logic Moon," from 'Insen'04. Lea Bertucci: "Vapours," from 'Of Shadow And Substance'05. Hayden Pedigo: "Long Pond Lily," from 'I'll Be Waving As You Drive Away'06. Max Richter: "All Human Beings," from 'Voices'07. Wayne Shorter & Milton Nascimento: "Tarde," from 'Native Dancer'08. Mabe Fratti: "El Sol Sigue Ahí," from 'Pies sobre la tierra'09. Ida: "Don't Get Sad," from 'Will You Find Me?'10. David Zinman, Dawn Upshaw & London Sinfonietta: "Lento," from Henryk Górecki's 'Symphony No. 3'Weekly Reset: Walking through Okazaki neighborhood at nightEnjoy the show? Share it with a friend and leave us a review on Apple or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org Hear songs featured on this episode and previous episodes of music to calm the nerves in Apple Music and Spotify.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Key Themes and Important Ideas:1. Foundational Importance:The presumption of innocence is presented as a "vital safeguard that underpins the entire criminal justice system" and "serves as the bedrock of our legal protections."It ensures that "the burden remains on the state to prove its case and that no person is punished without a clear, evidentiary demonstration of guilt."2. Historical Roots:The concept has origins in ancient legal traditions, including Roman law, where the state's responsibility to prove guilt began to take shape.The common law tradition in medieval Europe further refined the notion, with English jurists articulating that the accused did not bear the burden of proving innocence.The maxim “Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat” – "the burden of proof is on the one who declares, not on one who denies" – encapsulates the core of the presumption of innocence.3. Constitutional and International Enshrinement:While not explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution, the principle is "inferred from the due process clauses of both the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments."Internationally, Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly states: "Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence."These codifications affirm it as both a legal principle and a fundamental human right.4. Operation within the Criminal Justice System:It places the "burden of proof squarely on the prosecution" throughout a criminal trial.The state must present evidence that meets the high standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt."This standard is intentionally rigorous due to the high stakes involved (freedom, reputation, life).Ambiguity in evidence must be viewed "in favor of the accused," acting as a "shield against wrongful conviction."5. The Meaning of "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt":It does not imply absolute certainty or mathematical precision.It means the evidence must be "so convincing that a reasonable person would have no logical reason to doubt the defendant's guilt."Any "reasonable uncertainty about the accused's guilt" after considering all evidence compels a verdict of not guilty.6. Practical Implications for Legal Actors:Prosecutors: Bear a "heavy responsibility" to gather robust, reliable evidence and present a case leaving little room for doubt. They cannot rely on "conjecture, bias, or even circumstantial evidence that fails to meet the stringent threshold of certainty." Effective practice demands "ethical principles and rigorous standards of proof."Defense Attorneys: Have a "powerful tool" to argue for their clients' rights by emphasizing the prosecution's burden. They can highlight gaps or inconsistencies to "sow reasonable doubt." Their role is often to ensure the state fails to meet its burden, not necessarily to prove absolute innocence.7. Seminal Case Law:Courts have "repeatedly reaffirmed that the presumption of innocence is a cornerstone of fair trials."Landmark decisions have explicitly stated that "the burden of proof rests with the prosecution and that any ambiguity in the evidence must benefit the defendant."Appellate courts have underscored that "beyond a reasonable doubt" is a "firm requirement" for conviction.8. Impact on the Jury's Role:Jurors are instructed to approach the case with the understanding that the defendant is presumed innocent.These instructions are "vital to ensuring that jurors do not allow their personal biases or preconceived notions to influence their judgment."It acts as a "check against potential miscarriages of justice" by ensuring rigorous and impartial scrutiny of the prosecution's case.

Send us a textThe world is changing fast. Are democracy and human rights under threat? Our Inside Geneva podcast takes a deep dive.“Donald Trump is unravelling the constitution, where I believe we could describe this as a coup d'état,” says human rights lawyer Reed Brody.What happens when Big Tech gets involved in politics?“It is fine for Instagram or TikTok to realise that I am into biking and then try to sell me bikes. That's fine. That's a product. Manipulate me to sell me that. But that's not fine with political ideas,” continues Alberto Fernandez Gibaja, Head of Digitalisation and Democracy at the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA).What about free speech?“For the first time in my life, I am listening to Americans on the radio and TV, talking to the press and refusing to use their names because they are afraid of retaliation,” says Brody.Is it still possible to have a democratic, fact-based debate?“For those of us who believe that we share a reality based on facts and science, we are on the losing side,” says Fernandez Gibaja.Are we losing the fundamental freedoms set out in the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Join host Imogen Foulkes on Inside Geneva to find out.Get in touch! Email us at insidegeneva@swissinfo.ch Twitter: @ImogenFoulkes and @swissinfo_en Thank you for listening! If you like what we do, please leave a review or subscribe to our newsletter. For more stories on the international Geneva please visit www.swissinfo.ch/Host: Imogen FoulkesProduction assitant: Claire-Marie GermainDistribution: Sara PasinoMarketing: Xin Zhang

rWotD Episode 2883: Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women Welcome to Random Wiki of the Day, your journey through Wikipedia’s vast and varied content, one random article at a time.The random article for Wednesday, 26 March 2025 is Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women.The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (abbreviated as DEVAW) was adopted without a vote by the United Nations General Assembly in the 48/104 resolution of 20 December 1993. Contained within it is the recognition of "the urgent need for the universal application to women of the rights and principles with regard to equality, security, liberty, integrity and dignity of all human beings". It recalls and embodies the same rights and principles as those enshrined in such instruments as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Articles 1 and 2 provide the most widely used definition of violence against women.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 00:27 UTC on Wednesday, 26 March 2025.For the full current version of the article, see Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm neural Kajal.

“They're fighting their way through this crazy immigration system that is ineffective, illogical, and inhumane. … There's a wideness in God's mercy. Since when has anybody said mercy for some and not for all? … Fixing immigration is really different than blowing it up.  … This is not an impossible crisis to solve. … We need to not be divided by our political affiliations. As Christians, we stand with Christ, who critiques all human institutions.” (Alexia Salvatierra, from the episode) The immigration crisis on US borders reveals a deeper crisis of humanity—another example of democracy at a turning point. What should be the Christian response to the current immigration crisis? How can the individuals and small communities take effective action? And who are the real people most affected by immigration policy in the United States? In this episode, Mark Labberton welcomes theologian, pastor, and activist Alexia Salvatierra. She shares stories from the front lines of immigration justice. Alexia Salvatierra is an ordained Lutheran pastor and a leading voice in faith-based social justice movements. She serves as assistant professor of integral mission and global transformation at Fuller Theological Seminary and has been a key organizer in immigrant advocacy for over four decades. She co-authored Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World and works extensively with grassroots organizations to address the intersection of faith, justice, and policy. Together they discuss: Personal testimonies and policy insights based on stories of real people facing the immigration system in the United States The challenges immigrants face under an increasingly unforgiving system How faith communities can respond with faithful courage and productive grief, instead of outrage The global nature of the immigration, refugee, and foreign-aid crisis The width of God's mercy and the effectiveness of immigration and refugee public policy A call to action for Christians to become “gracious disrupters” and stand with the vulnerable Helpful Links and Resources World Relief – Christian organization supporting refugees Lutheran Social Services – Organization falsely accused of money laundering Show Notes Immigration policy and the church's response The impact of executive orders on deportation and asylum seekers Faith-based advocacy for immigrants The role of Latino churches in immigrant support How Christians can move from outrage to courageous action Immigration reform Faith-based activism ICE raids on churches Asylum seekers and deportation Christian response to immigration crisis Latino churches and advocacy Political fear versus Christian courage The role of the church in justice Broken immigration system Policy changes under different administrations Immigration Today: Stories and Case Studies An Assemblies of God pastor from Guatemala, facing deportation despite three qualifying cases for legal residency—South Los Angeles “ That's what we mean by a broken system, is there's all these little wrinkles in the system that don't work.” Detention at a deportation facility called Adelanto ”They're fighting their way through this crazy immigration system that is ineffective, illogical, and inhumane.” Asylum, ankle bracelets, and “legitimate fear” “ They said he was a criminal because he had entered without authorization twenty years before when he was a teenager.” ICE agents attempting to detain a man during a worship service ICE and “sensitive locations”—Is a church an ICE “sensitive location”? Hispanic Theological Education Association Latino Christian National Network “That arrest has  provoked intense fear. …  they're terrified to go to church.” The impact of anti-immigration policies on church attendance and spiritual care A desperate mother of a special-needs child preparing legal custody papers in case of deportation The economic and moral contradictions in mass deportation efforts “Cities that have municipal sanctuary laws are threatened with suit by the new administration.” The Global Immigration and Refugee Crisis “All around the world immigration is in crisis.” 1980 Refugee Act “All the countries who signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have to take refugees.” The concept of “Refoulment”—”which means that you're sending someone back to die.” “Not only are all refugee programs stopped, but current refugees are not getting the support that they need.” “ Costa Rica is a five-million-person  country and they've taken two million refugees.” American Immigration During the Trump Administration Elon Musk saying “ that Lutheran Social Services was a money-laundering machine.” Current administration's policies as “ bold, unilateral, and so comprehensive and unnuanced” “If the Trump administration is successful at deporting ten million people, many of whom have been here over twenty years, thirty years, um, where will we find the labor that we need?” Policy and Legal Discussion The end of Deferred Deportation under the Trump and Biden administrations Executive orders eliminating prioritization of deportation The freezing of USAID and refugee support programs “All foreign aid has always been strategic. It's never not.” “Global warming refugees” “The current president of Venezuela loves gangs.” “Fixing immigration is really different than blowing it up. …  this is not an impossible crisis to solve.” The bipartisan immigration bill that Trump advised Republicans to block Historical immigration policies and their effectiveness “Policy does make a difference.” Objection to open borders: What about mercy for Americans? A false dichotomy. God's mercy is wide. “We have a number of believers in Congress who are acting out of fear right now and not out of faith.” Call to Action How faith communities can support immigrants “Immigrant churches are taking the brunt of this.” Why outrage doesn't help the process Ways to engage with legislators and advocate for reform The importance of standing with immigrant churches in this moment Supporting organizations like World Relief and Lutheran Social Services “The bulk of the people in the United States, the majority, have not had to grieve on this level. Not had to grieve with this intensity, with this constancy. Our spiritual muscles are weak—in terms of knowing how to grieve and keep going and trust God. ‘Though he slay me, I will worship him.'” “Encourage literally means ‘to get more courage.' You know, to give courage, to get courage. And so I just would want everybody to stop being outraged and start being courageous.” Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment magazine and Fuller Seminary.

The Valley Girls had the pleasure and honor to chat with historian and writer Holley Snaith about the enduring legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt, visiting Val-Kill, Holley's photo restoration project at Val-Kill, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Marian Anderson's legendary Lincoln Memorial concert, the Eleanor Roosevelt School, and how FDR mixed his martinis. Save the Date! The Hudson Valley Food and Wine Festival ticket PRESALE is coming up April 1st & 2nd! Check out our January interview with Debbie Gioquindo, the Hudson Valley Wine Goddess, for more on the festival! Thanks for listening! To help support the Valley Girls, please follow our podcast from our show page, leave a rating and review, and please spread the word and share our podcast with others. We really appreciate your support!To stay up to date and for more content you can find us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠valleygirlspodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/ValleyGirlsPodNY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/@ValleyGirlsPodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and also check out the Newsletter and Pod Squad tab on our website to sign up for our e-mail newsletter and join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠so you never miss a thing! All links can also be found in our Instagram bio.Episode music by Robert Burke Warren entitled Painting a Vast Blue Sky can be found at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠robertburkewarren.bandcamp.com/track/painting-a-vast-blue-sky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

American composer Daron Hagen talks about his cantata Everyone, Everywhere in conversation with Raymond Bisha. Composed In 2023 to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Hagen found impetus in the contemporary political status of his own nation to recontextualise the declaration's dry language and enable him to convey its emotional essence (“as a citizen, a person and a father”). Also drawing on texts by a range of significant historical figures, this sweeping work for choir, vocal soloists and orchestra marries intellect and emotion in a passionate cry for justice and peace, and in a way that only music can.

Why no definition of racism can ignore double standardsOriginally published on 22 February 2022. Re-posted as a podcast February 2025Written article with links to resources available from https://shirabatya.substack.com/p/insidious-racism-and-jerusalem-podcastPlease like and subscribe to Heterodox Jewish Woman https://shirabatya.substack.com/I was about 9 or 10 years old when my father taught me the dangers of insidious racism. We were travelling on one of the many flights we took between the USA and South Africa. I cannot recall the precise date, but it was around 1980 and apartheid was still in full swing. The exact details of the incident are hazy, but I recall that there was a black man at the airport and he had said something rude or done something wrong - I can't remember what but he had indeed done something. A white man was telling him off, and I remember that I briefly joined in, as of course, he had done something (I can't remember what).The next thing I remember was my father taking me to one side and telling me to be quiet. Did I not understand what was really happening here? This black man had done something, but it was minor, the sort of thing you would point out and then move on. This white man was so exercised not because of what the black man had done. Rather, this was about race. The white man was just using this as an excuse to have a go at someone black. I should know better than to support such racist behaviour.I felt so ashamed. It made me realise how hard we have to work at not being unconsciously racist when racism is normalised around us, as it was in those days.It is easy to deal with explicit racism. When someone says disparaging things about black people, Jewish people, or whatever other group, we know what we are dealing with. But there is another kind of racism which is insidious and dares not speak its name, and this type is far more dangerous precisely because it is so subtle so that it finds itself at home in polite company. It expresses itself in patterns of behaviour and double standards which can be hard to notice when you are in an environment in which such behaviour is normalised.So today on my Facebook feed, I noticed an article by David Feldman, promoted by the Guardian, on "What we are getting wrong in the fight against antisemitism in Britain". The article starts out as a reasonable enough discussion, but it quickly became clear that Mr Feldman is simply promoting the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (which he helped to write) as opposed to the IHRA definition. He argues that the Jerusalem Declaration is better because it helps to distinguish what sorts of criticism of Israel is actually antisemitic, and which is not.So I took a good look at the Jerusalem Declaration. The main purpose of this declaration is to be an alternative to the IHRA definition, which, it is argued, is faulty because too many of the examples relate to Israel, and, there is a need "to protect a space for open debate about the vexed question of the future of Israel/Palestine."So what is different about the Jerusalem Declaration? The key point is that the Jerusalem Declaration lists a set of examples of what is antisemitic talk about Israel, and also lists examples of what is not, they argue, antisemitic. In agreement with the IHRA definition they do say that antisemitic stereotypes to describe Israel or holding Jews responsible for the actions of the State of Israel are both antisemitic (point B6).However, they differ markedly with IHRA on one particular point, to do with double standards. IHRA gives as an example "Applying double standards by requiring of [The State of Israel] a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation". By contrast, the Jerusalem Declaration claims as follows:15. Political speech does not have to be measured, proportional, tempered, or reasonable to be protected under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and other human rights instruments. Criticism that some may see as excessive or contentious, or as reflecting a “double standard,” is not, in and of itself, antisemitic. In general, the line between antisemitic and non-antisemitic speech is different from the line between unreasonable and reasonable speech.In other words, the white man who abused that black man at the airport after he did something minor was not being racist. It was a matter of opinion whether he was over-reacting because the black man did after all do something wrong. Who are we to assume that the actions of the white man are racist just because we feel he is being unreasonable and the man he is abusing happens to be black? The race of these people may just be a coincidence.People don't go around in polite company saying "Hi I hate Jews" any more than they go about saying "Hi I'm a racist". Instead they obsess over the "war crimes" of Israel, while not paying attention while other countries literally commit genocide.Of course, that would be an absurd argument because we know very well that in that airport the races of the actors were not a coincidence. This happened on a flight between the USA and South Africa during the heyday of apartheid. No one could view race as irrelevant in that interchange unless they were either blind, or a naïve child, or an apologist for racism.We all understand that in situations of racism, context is everything. When people saw that video of George Floyd being murdered, they did not see just any cop abusing his power over just any man. They saw a white man abusing his power over a black man, in the context of a history of repeated similar incidents in which such abuses of power had been normalised. There was no way to prove conclusively that this specific incident was racist, but the incident reeked of racism - if you had any sense for racism, you could just smell it.So how can the same people who understand so easily how normalised racist behaviour can lead to double standards applied to people based on skin colour, how can they not understand that antisemitism works the same way - that any kind of entrenched prejudice works that way?People don't go around in polite company saying "Hi I hate Jews" any more than they go about saying "Hi I'm a racist". Instead they obsess over the "war crimes" of Israel, while not paying attention while other countries literally commit genocide. By engaging in repeated, abusive, disproportionate criticism of Israel, they are no different from that man in the airport and his abuse of that black man.And this is the problem with the Jerusalem Declaration. It provides cover for antisemites by excusing insidious racism, when of course it is the insidious racism that always does the most damage precisely because it pretends to be respectable. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit shirabatya.substack.com

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights remains as relevant today as it was on the day in 1948 that it was proclaimed and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. The extraordinary vision and resolve of the drafters produced a document that, for the first time, articulated the rights and freedoms to which every human being is equally and inalienably entitled. Odd dives into listener mail and gets back to basics. Basic human rights that is. Make sure you hit up cultofodd.com and look up the Resources page for the full Declaration of Human Rights. Also, make your voice heard by contacting us

This episode explores the vital need for a value change rooted in indigenous perspectives, particularly the teachings of the Haudenosaunee. Listeners are invited to reflect on how our current monetary-driven worldview is unsustainable and how adopting a more relational and respectful way of interacting with the Earth can pave the way for a more sustainable future.Themes • Discussion of the urgency of changing our economic values • Insights from the Haudenosaunee about the interconnectedness of life • Historical context of the "Basic Call to Consciousness" • Exploration of leadership through indigenous philosophies • Introduction of the Rights of Nature movement • Presentation of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth • Importance of decolonizing narratives and changing perspectives • Emphasis on our responsibility and connection to the Earth • Reflection on the positive potential in adopting indigenous values If you liked this episode, please check out our website at podcastdoctrineofdiscovery.org for more information and, if you like this episode, review it on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.Support the showView the transcript and show notes at podcast.doctrineofdiscovery.org. Learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery on our site DoctrineofDiscovery.org.

The right to a speedy trial is a fundamental legal principle in many legal systems, including the United States, designed to protect the rights and interests of individuals accused of a crime. Here is a full summary of what the right to a speedy trial means:Legal Right: The right to a speedy trial is a constitutional or statutory right granted to individuals facing criminal charges. In the United States, it is protected by the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution.Timely Adjudication: It guarantees that a defendant has the right to have their case adjudicated in a timely and expeditious manner. This means that the legal process should move forward promptly from the time of arrest to trial.Reasonable Timeframe: While the exact definition of a "speedy" trial can vary from one jurisdiction to another, it generally implies that the accused should not have to endure unnecessary delays in the criminal justice process.Purpose: The primary purpose of this right is to prevent injustices that may arise from prolonged pretrial detention or the delay in bringing a case to trial. It helps ensure that a person is not held in jail for an extended period without facing formal charges and trial.Balancing Act: Courts must strike a balance between the defendant's right to a speedy trial and the state's interest in conducting a thorough and fair trial. This may involve considering factors like the complexity of the case, the availability of witnesses, and the reasons for any delays.Dismissal as a Remedy: If the right to a speedy trial is violated, it can lead to the dismissal of the charges against the defendant. This serves as a deterrent against prosecutorial and judicial misconduct that might unnecessarily delay a trial.Factors Considered: Courts typically consider several factors in determining whether a defendant's right to a speedy trial has been violated. These factors may include the length of the delay, the reasons for the delay, the defendant's assertion of their right, and any prejudice suffered by the defendant as a result of the delay.Waiver: In some cases, a defendant may choose to waive their right to a speedy trial if they believe it's in their best interest to delay the proceedings for strategic reasons, such as giving their legal team more time to prepare.International Context: The right to a speedy trial is recognized not only in the United States but also in international human rights law, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These documents emphasize the importance of a fair and timely trial.Importance: Ensuring a speedy trial is crucial for safeguarding the rights of the accused, preventing unnecessary incarceration, and maintaining public confidence in the criminal justice system.(commercial at 7:57)to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Kohberger Idaho murder trial not expected until at least 2024 | Idaho Statesman

Susie Alegre makes the case for prioritizing human rights and connection, taking AI systems to account, minding the right gaps, and resisting unwitting AI dependency.  Susie and Kimberly discuss the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR); legal protections and access to justice; human rights laws; how court cases impact legislative will; the wicked problem of companion AI; abdicating accountability for AI systems; Stepford Wives and gynoid robots; human connection and agency; minding the wrong gaps with AI systems; AI dogs vs. AI pooper scoopers; the reality of care and legal work; writing to think; cultural heritage and creativity; pausing for thought; unwittingly becoming dependent on AI; and prioritizing people over technology.  Susie Alegre is an acclaimed international human rights lawyer and the author of Freedom to Think: The Long Struggle to Liberate Our Minds and Human Rights, Robot Wrongs: Being Human in the Age of AI. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance and Innovation (CIGI) and Founder of the Island Rights Initiative. Learn more at her website: Susie Alegre   A transcript of this episode is here. 

Human rights are born out of the belief that every individual is equal and deserving of life, dignity, respect, and freedom. States must then deliver on those obligations. But through nominations, harmful policy, and mass confusion, the returning administration has a broad ability to dissolve human rights. Rori Kramer, Director of U.S. Advocacy at the American Jewish World Service, sits down to talk with us about the foundations of human rights and what we can expect from the coming administration.Human rights were codified via the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with the U.S. as an early champion. When these rights were established, they were indivisible and applied to all humans equally. At present, in some countries, authoritarian governments seek to criminalize democracy and the exercise of human rights. Some of these states are feeling empowered by the U.S. and its direction-- especially as the U.S. plays in outsized role in international human rights standards. In the first Trump administration, the Geneva Consensus Declaration and Commission on Unalienable Rights were used to shift and mold the framework of what human rights really are; those may return.Support the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.social Email us: jennie@reprosfightback.comRate and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!

What does the phrase, “education should be a right, not a privilege” mean to you? If you believe that access to education is not a privilege, but a right as is the human rights law guarantees, then, why are  61 million children not in school, and most of them girls? Educating children no matter where they are is one of the biggest factors toward ending extreme poverty. Education is not a privilege. It is, in fact, a human right. Education as a human right means: the right to education is legally guaranteed for all, without any discrimination; simply, there is an obligation to protect, respect, and fulfill the right to education.  Just to share some background: International human rights law guarantees this right. The Universal Declaration on Human Rights was adopted in 1948, in Article 26: 'everyone has the right to education'. Since then, the right to education has been widely recognized and developed by a number of international normative instruments elaborated by the United Nations, including the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education (1960, CADE), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966, CESCR), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989, CRC). The right to education has also been reaffirmed in other treaties covering specific groups (women and girls, persons with disabilities, migrants, refugees, Indigenous Peoples, etc.) and contexts (education during armed conflicts). It has also been incorporated into various regional treaties and enshrined as a right in the vast majority of national constitutions. What I find so interesting is that, there are laws to protect the right to education although, we are often globally failing to fulfill this right, but there are no laws to protect the kind of education offered. In some cases, as in the U.S. there was an attempt in 2001 with the No Child Left Behind Act, signed into federal law in 2002, aimed at improving primary and secondary education which in many cases reduced rich curricula into rote standards where schools were evaluated. This changed slightly in 2015 where states had more leeway in determining their evaluative criteria, but it certainly didn't address the issue of quality. There still remains a huge divide in the US with the quality of education. We know girls suffer more statistically in terms of their access to learning that aids in their potential to both better themselves and their communities. I have always believed that it is far better to have an educated society as it creates good competition and offers the likelihood that individuals will be self-sustaining and will then improve the larger collective. Girls DO MATTER and that became the charge of an incredible organization, Girls Matter as well as a friendship between the three Founders Melissa Deally, Malcolm Trevena and Megin Alverez that brought that dream to reality in 2017. Girls Matter, celebrates girls by increasing their access which includes financial support to high school and post secondary education in developing countries; their vision is to support the education of girls in these countries which will in turn, increase the respect, visibility, and equality for girls in their communities. Their 3 key program areas: Educate girls to complete high school. In select cases, consider educating girls to complete University. Support girls to attend classes all year long, by providing menstrual pads (currently they regularly miss 1 week of classes per month without this support). Through education, reduce the number of teenage marriages & teenage Moms A child born to a literate mother is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five. Educated mothers are more than twice as likely to send their children to school, ensuring that her own girls are educated, creating a positive ripple effect for generations to come A girl with an extra year of education can earn 20% more as an adult. Educating Girls Will Break the Poverty Cycle! As a recipient,  Evelyn Kawola who graduated from fashion & design school shared: “Your support has pushed me to another level, I can see my future is going to be good. Girls Matter has really changed my life, taking me from being illiterate to literate.” Their holistic approach supports the girls and their communities in both Uganda and Kenya:  Their motto is: Breaking the Poverty Cycle 1 Girl, 1 Family, 1 Village at a time! In developing countries, education comes at a cost. Families are caught in a quandary, torn between investing in schooling and affording essential needs. When affording necessities becomes a challenge, daughters are often married off, passing the responsibility of feeding them to a man they don't know or love. In a single year, an estimated 150 million girls are victims of sexual violence. 14 million girls under 18 will be married this year, 38 thousand today; 13 girls in the last 30 secondThe #1 cause of death for girls 15-19 is childbirth. For more information, check out their website: https://girlsmatter.ca/      

Ethicist Jamie Woodhouse has some challenging questions for humanity: should we care about the suffering of all sentient beings, or just the ones who run the show at the moment? What about when we're no longer running the show? Why should a superintelligent and possibly sentient machine intelligence care about us? Might there be other practical reasons to widen our circle of compassion beyond humans?Active Transcript by Fanfare (read/listen).Introduction: Revisiting Asimov's HumanismJoel reflects on Asimov's humanist philosophy, rooted in evidence, reason, and concern for humanity's progress. However, this anthropocentric focus leads to an important question: can humanism evolve to include all sentient beings?The Core of SentientismJamie Woodhouse introduces Sentientism as a naturalistic worldview advocating evidence, reason, and compassion for all sentient beings. He discusses how this broader ethical scope addresses humanism's anthropocentric blind spots and extends moral consideration to non-human animals and even potential artificial intelligences.The Role of Sentientism in Modern CrisesThe conversation highlights the intersection of Sentientism with critical global challenges like:Climate Change: The role of animal agriculture in exacerbating climate issues and the potential for Sentientism to influence more sustainable practices.AI Ethics: Speculating on the alignment of artificial intelligence with ethical frameworks, including the intriguing notion that future superintelligences might force humans to adopt more compassionate practices.Sentientism in ActionJamie explores practical applications, from rethinking agricultural systems to extending compassion beyond humanity. He suggests rewriting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to encompass "Sentient Rights" as a bold step forward.Science Fiction and Ethical FrontiersThe discussion pivots to the portrayal of sentience in science fiction. From Asimov's Gaia to Kim Stanley Robinson's Aurora and Iain M. Banks' Culture series, sci-fi offers fertile ground for exploring ethical questions about sentient beings, human or otherwise.Key Quotes:Jamie Woodhouse on Sentientism:"Sentientism says, in a line, we should commit to evidence, reason, and compassion for all sentient beings."On AI and Ethics:Joel McKinnon: "Maybe someday advanced AI will tell us, ‘We won't kill you, but you can't eat meat anymore.'"Jamie Woodhouse: "That's an interesting thought. It flips the script—an intelligence with a broader ethical framework imposing limits on us for the benefit of others."Expanding Morality:"The reason I might care about you isn't because we share DNA but because you have the capacity to suffer and flourish. That's what truly matters."Referenced Works and Further Reading:Humanism and Asimov:Wikipedia: HumanismThe Gaia Hypothesis: James Lovelock's work on Earth as a sentient system.Sentientism Resources:Jamie Woodhouse's Sentientism WebsiteRelated podcasts on Sentientism.Ethics and AI:Books mentioned:Aurora by Kim Stanley RobinsonIain M. Banks' Culture SeriesAI Ethics OverviewAdvocacy for Climate and Sentient Beings:Effective AltruismCitizens' Climate Lobby

In this special episode, contemporary artist Sara Shamma paints experiences of conflict, modern slavery, and hopes for postwar reconstruction, travelling between Syria, Lebanon, and London, in their series, World Civil War Portraits (2015). *Content Warning* Syria has a ‘young' or ‘short' art history, in Western/European terms. The country's first galleries and art schools appeared in the 1960s, offering little contemporary arts education or practice. Working within - and rebelling against - these institutions, Damascus-born artist Sara Shamma taught themselves to paint ‘as an Old/Dutch Master', referencing the likes of Rembrandt and Rubens in their large-scale, expressive, portraits. In their 2023 exhibition, Bold Spirits, Sara's figurative paintings were displayed in conversation with these figures, at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London. And now, 25 years after graduating, the artist returns to the National Museum of Damascus with a survey spanning their personal and artistic journeys through Lebanon and the UK in the twelve years since the start of the civil war. ‘I decided to keep one or two paintings from each project, to exhibit them all in Syria when the time was right,' says Sara. ‘Now, it's time for them to come home.' In this conversation from 2023, when Sara was still living in London, the artist describes her decades of migrations between Dulwich and Damascus. Sara first left Syria for work, in 2000, with exhibitions in Britain as part of the the BP Portrait Prize, and a British Council partnership with Coventry, a city she admires as a model for postwar reconstruction. In 2016, she relocated to London on an Exceptional Talent Visa but, during this period, she continued to travel to her homeland frequently, working from her studio in the city, and engaging with wider Arab art communities. Through global exhibitions, Sara is now one of Syria's most internationally recognised artists. We touch on Syria's changing position, as part of the Ottoman Empire and a French Mandate, during the 20th century, and the permeable borders that permitted her refuge in the years of President Bashar al-Assad's violent regime. Sara describes her interest in biology, visiting butchers and mortuaries during her studies, and their ‘surrealist eye' on everyday life. We discuss her research into modern slavery, trafficking, and rape cultures, speaking with women during their time as artist-in-residence with the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London (KCL). Sara explains how she translates oral testimonies and traumatic experiences through her artistic practice, and why music is her universal language, travellling from Sufi Asia, to the blues of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. This episode was recorded live as part of PEACE FREQUENCIES, a 24 hour live radio broadcast to mark International Human Rights Day in December 2023, and 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Listen back to the recordings with Manthia Diawara and Billy Gerard Frank online, and find all the information in the first Instagram post: instagram.com/p/C0mAnSuodAZ Sara Shamma: Bold Spirits ran at the Dulwich Picture Gallery in London until 25 February 2024. Sara Shamma: Echoes of 12 Years runs at the National Museum of Damascus until 31 January 2025. PRODUCER: Jelena Sofronijevic. Follow EMPIRE LINES on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/empirelinespodcast⁠ And Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/jelsofron/status/1306563558063271936⁠ Support EMPIRE LINES on Patreon: ⁠patreon.com/empirelines

Human Rights Day commemorates the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10. This document enshrines inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to. But there are persistent challenges that shape the lives of millions across Africa when it come to human rights. We're talking to DW correspondent Ben Shemang in Abuja, Nigeria and political commentator Ivan Mugisha.

On the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights  we explore how human rights intersect with digital rights. Our rights, our Future. Right Now. That's the clarion call around the globe on this day for us all to embrace and trust the full power of human rights as the path to the world we want to live in - a more peaceful, equal and sustainable world.

Dec. 10 is International Human Rights Day, which celebrates the United Nations adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10 1948. Near the top of the declaration is the statement that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”A powerful tool used around the world to gather evidence and hold governments accountable for violating those rights was created by a group of Minnesotans in the 1980s. It's called the Minnesota Protocol. Jennifer Prestholdt is Deputy Director of the Advocates for Human Rights and she worked on the updated version of the protocol. She joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about how the protocol is used, how it's been helpful in protecting human rights and the future of the tool.

On Human Rights Day, December 10th, marking 76 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we explore one of humanity's ongoing challenges: how differences continue to be met with fear, persecution, and violence. We welcome special guest Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, United Nations Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, for a critical discussion that epitomizes Human Rights Day 2024. Her vital work documents how harmful practices and ritual attacks continue to threaten the lives of persons with albinism in Africa and globally, challenging the fundamental principles the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was created to protect. Our conversation examines how beliefs that lead to harm continue to target persons with albinism, particularly women and children. Through the framework of United Nations Resolution 47/8 on accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, we explore how countries worldwide are developing protective measures while respecting cultural contexts. As we mark International Human Rights Day and its vision of dignity for all people regardless of race, color, religion, abilities, or status, this discussion provides both a sobering look at ongoing human rights challenges and hope through education, awareness, and community engagement. Join this crucial exploration of human rights protection, where harmful practices meet National Action Plans, and learn how global communities are working together to ensure safety and dignity for persons with albinism. #HumanRightsDay #PersonsWithAlbinism #UnitedNations #HumanRights #AlbinismRights Resources: United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 47/8 Study on the situation of the violations and abuses of human rights rooted in harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, as well as stigmatization Papua New Guinea Sorcery and Witchcraft Accusation-Related Violence National Action Plan Pan African Parliament Guidelines for Addressing Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks IK Ero On Next Steps For Ending Witch Hunts TINAAWAHP Sierra Leone Association of Persons with Albinism Sierra Leone Association of Persons with Albinism Facebook Page Pro Victimis Medical Assistance Sierra Leone End Witch Hunts Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project Massachusetts Witch-Hunt Justice Project Salem Witch-Hunt Education Project --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/witchhunt/support

December 10 is the anniversary of the signing of the United Nations' Universal Declaration on Human Rights. Organizers with the Americas Without Sanctions campaign are holding an event (in-person and virtual) in Washington, DC to raise awareness of the US's illegal economic war on one-third of the world's population on Human Rights Day. See SanctionsKill.org for details. Clearing the FOG speaks with Barbara Larcom of the International Nicaragua Solidarity Coalition and Cheryl LaBash of the National Network on Cuba about the event and the current crises facing Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela as a result of US sanctions on them and how these are connected to the liberation of Palestine. For more information, visit PopularResistance.org.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them)In this conversation, Will Wright and Josh Burtram engage with Bill Armaline, a professor of sociology and human rights expert, to explore the complex landscape of human rights. They discuss the origins, definitions, and instruments of human rights, the historical context of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the philosophical foundations that underpin these rights. The conversation also delves into the challenges of enforcing human rights on a global scale, particularly in relation to the role of the United Nations and the unique position of the United States in international law. In this conversation, Bill Armaline discusses the complexities of international law, particularly in relation to the Israel-Palestine conflict, the role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the implications of U.S. foreign policy. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the legal frameworks that govern these issues and the need for collective action through labor movements to address injustices. Armaline argues that the current geopolitical landscape is heavily influenced by economic interests and highlights the disconnect between the ruling classes and the general populace.Guest Bio:William Armaline is a Professor in the Department of Sociology and Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and founder of the Human Rights Minor Program and Human Rights Institute at San José State University.  His formal training and professional experience spans sociology, education, and human rights.  Dr. Armaline's interests, applied work, and scholarly publications address social problems as they relate to political economy, politics, human rights, racism, critical pedagogy, inequality and youth, mass incarceration, policing, and drug policy reform.  His new book with co-author Davita Silfen Glasberg (Human Rights Praxis and the Struggle for Survival, Routledge Press, forthcoming on August 22, 2024) examines the threats to human rights and survival posed by global capitalism and an increasingly militarized and authoritarian world that takes the form of a global police state in scope and effect. "The Faith Roundtable" is a captivating spinoff from the Faithful Politics podcast, dedicated to exploring the crucial issues facing the church in America today. Hosted by Josh Burtram, this podcast brings together faith leaders, theologians, and scholars for deep, respectful discussions on topics at the heart of American Christianity. From the intersection of faith and public life to urgent matters such as social justice and community engagement, each episode offers insightful conversations Support the showTo learn more about the show, contact our hosts, or recommend future guests, click on the links below: Website: https://www.faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/ Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com Political Host: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com Twitter: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics Subscribe to our Substack: https://faithfulpolitics.substack.com/

Felice Gaer, esteemed Director of AJC's Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, was an internationally respected human rights advocate who dedicated more than four decades to championing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and enforcing international commitments to prevent severe human rights violations globally. On November 9, Felice passed away after a prolonged battle with metastatic breast cancer. In honor of her legacy, we revisit her insightful conversation on People of the Pod, recorded last year during Women's History Month and on International Women's Day. As we remember and celebrate Felice's profound contributions, we share this interview once more. May her memory continue to be a blessing. __ Music credits: Drops of Melting Snow (after Holst, Abroad as I was walking) by Axletree is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License. Learn more about Felice Gaer: Felice Gaer, Legendary Human Rights Champion Who Inspired Generations of Global Advocates, Dies at 78 Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: with Hen Mazzig, Einat Admony, and more. People of the Pod:  What the Election Results Mean for Israel and the Jewish People The Jewish Vote in Pennsylvania: What You Need to Know Sinwar Eliminated: What Does This Mean for the 101 Hostages Still Held by Hamas? Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. __ Transcript of Conversation with Felice Gaer: Manya Brachear Pashman:   This past weekend, AJC lost a phenomenal colleague. Felice Gaer, the director of American Jewish Committee's Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, was an internationally renowned human rights expert who, for more than four decades, brought life and practical significance to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international commitments, to prevent grave human rights abuses around the world.  She died on November 9, following a lengthy battle with metastatic breast cancer. I had the honor of interviewing Felice last year during Women's History Month and on International Women's Day.  We bring you that interview now, as we remember Felice. May her memory be for a blessing.  _ Felice is with us now to discuss today's human rights challenges and the challenges she has faced as a woman in the Human Rights world.  Felice, welcome to People of the Pod.  Felice Gaer:   Thank you, Manya. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So let's start with the beginning. Can you share with our listeners a little about your upbringing, and how Jewish values shaped what you do today? Felice Gaer:   Well, I had a fairly ordinary upbringing in a suburb of New York City that had a fairly high percentage of Jews living in it–Teaneck, New Jersey. I was shaped by all the usual things in a Jewish home. First of all, the holidays. Secondly, the values, Jewish values, and awareness, a profound awareness of Jewish history, the history of annihilation, expulsion, discrimination, violence. But also the Jewish values of universality, respect for all human life, equality before the law, sense of realism, sense that you can change your life by what you do, and the choices that you make. These are all core Jewish values. And I guess I always have found the three part expression by Rabbi Hillel to sum up the approach I've always taken to human rights and most other things in life. He said, If I'm not for myself, who will be, and if I'm only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when? So that's a sense of Jewish particularism, Jewish universalism, and realism, as well. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You went to Wellesley, class of 1968, it's an all-women's college. Was there a strong Jewish presence on campus there at a time? And did that part of your identity even play a role in your college experience?  Felice Gaer :  Well, I left, as I said, a town that had a fairly sizable Jewish population. And I went to Wellesley and I felt like I was in another world. And so even as long ago as 1964-65, that era, I actually reached out to Hillel and participated in very minor activities that took place, usually a Friday night dinner, or something like that. But it really didn't play a role except by making me recognize that I was a member of a very small minority. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Here on this podcast, we've talked a lot about the movement to free Soviet Jewry. As you pursued graduate work at Columbia, and also during your undergrad days at Wellesley, were you involved in that movement at all? Felice Gaer:   Well, I had great interest in Russian studies, and in my years at Wellesley, the Soviet Union movement was at a very nascent stage. And I remember arguments with the Soviet Ambassador coming to the campus and our specialist on Russian history, arguing about whether this concern about the treatment of Soviet Jews was a valid concern.  The professor, who happened to have been Jewish, by the way, argued that Jews in the Soviet Union were treated badly, but so was everybody else in the Soviet Union. And it really wasn't something that one needed to focus on especially. As I left Wellesley and went to Columbia, where I studied political science and was at the Russian Institute, now the Harriman Institute, I found that the treatment of Soviet Jews was different in many ways, and the capacity to do something about it was serious.  We knew people who had relatives, we knew people who wanted to leave. The whole Soviet Union movement was focused around the desire to leave the country–not to change it–that was an explicit decision of Jewish leaders around the world, and in the Soviet Union itself. And so the desire to leave was something you could realize, document the cases, bring the names forward, and engage American officials in a way that the Jewish community had never done before with cases and examples demanding that every place you went, every negotiation that took place, was accompanied by lists of names and cases, whose plight will be brought to the attention of the authorities. And that really mobilized people, including people like me.  I also worked to focus on the agenda of internal change in the Soviet Union. And that meant also looking at other human rights issues. Why and how freedom of religion or belief was suppressed in this militantly atheist state, why and how freedom of expression, freedom of association, and just about every other right, was really severely limited. And what the international standards were at that time. After I left Columbia, that was around the time that the famous manifesto from Andrei Sakharov, the world famous physicist, Nobel Prize winner, was made public. It was around the time that other kinds of dissident materials were becoming better known about life inside the Soviet Union post-Khrushchev. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So you left Colombia with a master's degree, the Cold War ends, and you take a job at the Ford Foundation that has you traveling all around Eastern Europe, looking to end human rights abuses, assessing the challenges that face that region. I want to ask you about the treatment of women, and what you witnessed about the mistreatment of women in these regions. And does that tend to be a common denominator around the world when you assess human rights abuses? Felice Gaer:   Well, there's no question that the treatment of women is different than the treatment of men. And it's true all over the world. But when I traveled in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union in the height of those years, height of the Cold War, and so forth, the issues of women's rights actually weren't one of the top issues on the agenda because the Soviet Union and East European countries appeared to be doing more for women than the Western countries.  They had them in governance. They had them in the parliament. They purported to support equality for women. It took some years for Soviet feminists, dissidents, to find a voice and to begin to point out all the ways in which they were treated in the same condescending, patriarchal style as elsewhere. But in those years, that was not a big issue in the air.  It was unusual for me, a 20-something year old woman from the United States to be traveling around Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, meeting with high officials and others, and on behalf of the Ford Foundation, trying to develop programming that would involve people to people contacts, that would involve developing programs where there was common expertise, like management training, and things of that sort. And I was really an odd, odd duck in that situation, and I felt it. Manya Brachear Pashman:   I mentioned in my introduction, the Beijing World Conference on Women, can you reflect a little on what had a lasting impact there? Felice Gaer:   Well, the Beijing World Conference on Women was the largest, and remains the largest conference that the United Nations has ever organized. There were over 35,000 women there, about 17,000 at the intergovernmental conference. I was on the US delegation there.  The simple statement that women's rights are human rights may seem hackneyed today. But when that was affirmed in the 1995 Beijing Outcome Document, it was a major political and conceptual breakthrough. It was largely focused on getting the UN to accept that the rights of women were actually international human rights and that they weren't something different. They weren't private, or outside the reach of investigators and human rights bodies. It was an inclusive statement, and it was a mind altering statement in the women's rights movement.  It not only reaffirmed that women's rights are human rights, but it went further in addressing the problems facing women in the language of human rights.  The earlier world conferences on women talked about equality, but they didn't identify violations of those rights. They didn't demand accountability of those rights. And they said absolutely nothing about creating mechanisms by which you could monitor, review, and hold people accountable, which is the rights paradigm. Beijing changed all that. It was a violations approach that was quite different from anything that existed before that. Manya Brachear Pashman :  Did anything get forgotten? We talked about what had a lasting impact, but what seems to have been forgotten or have fallen to the wayside? Felice Gaer:   Oh, I think it's just the opposite. I think the things that were in the Beijing conference have become Fuller and addressed in greater detail and are more commonly part of what goes on in the international discourse on women's rights and the status of women in public life. And certainly at the international level that's the case.  I'll give you just one example, the Convention Against Torture. I mean, when I became a member of the committee, the 10 person committee, I was the only woman. The committee really had, in 11 years, it had maybe said, four or five things about the treatment of women. And the way that torture, ill treatment, inhuman, degrading treatment may affect women.  It looked at the world through the eyes of male prisoners in detention. And it didn't look at the world through the eyes of women who suffer private violence, gender based violence, that is that the state looks away from and ignores and therefore sanctions, and to a certain extent endorses.  And it didn't identify the kinds of things that affect women, including women who are imprisoned, and why and where in many parts of the world. What one does in terms of education or dress or behavior may lead you into a situation where you're being abused, either in a prison or outside of prison. These are issues that are now part of the regular review, for example, at the Committee Against Torture, issues of of trafficking, issues of gender based violence, the Sharia law, the hudud punishments of whipping and stoning, are part of the concern of the committee, which they weren't before. Manya Brachear Pashman:   In other words, having that woman's perspective, having your perspective on that committee was really important and really changed and broadened the discussion. Felice Gaer:   Absolutely. When I first joined the committee, the first session I was at, we had a review of China. And so I very politely asked a question about the violence and coercion associated with the population policy in China, as you know, forced abortions and things of that sort. This was a question that had come up before the women's convention, the CEDAW, and I thought it was only appropriate that it also come up in the Committee Against Torture.  In our discussion afterwards, the very stern chairman of the committee, a former constable, said to me, ‘You know, this might be of interest to you, Ms. Gaer, but this has nothing to do with the mandate of this committee.' I explained to him why it did, in some detail. And when I finished pointing out all of those elements–including the fact that the people carried out these practices on the basis of state policy–when I finished, there was a silence.  And the most senior person in the room, who had been involved in these issues for decades, said, ‘I'm quite certain we can accommodate Ms. Gaer's concerns in the conclusions,' and they did.  That's the kind of thing that happens when you look at issues from a different perspective and raise them. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You talked about being an odd duck in your 20s, as a woman traveling around Eastern Europe, trying to address these challenges. I'm curious if that woman in her 20s would have been able to stand up to this committee like that, and give that thorough an explanation? Or did it take some years of experience, of witnessing these issues, perhaps being ignored?  Felice Gaer:  Well, I think as we go through life, you learn new things. And I learned new things along the way. I learned about the universal norms, I learned about how to apply them, how they had been applied, and how they hadn't been applied. And in that process, developed what I would say is a sharper way of looking at these issues.  But the Bosnian conflict in particular, made the issue of gender based violence against women, especially in war, but not only in war, into a mainstream issue, and helped propel these issues, both inside the United Nations and outside, the awareness changed.  I remember asking the International Red Cross representatives in Croatia, just across the border from Bosnia, if they had encountered any victims of gender based violence or rape, and they said, ‘No.' And I said, ‘Did you ask them about these concerns?' And they sort of looked down and looked embarrassed, looked at each other and looked back at me and said, ‘Oh.' There were no words. There were no understandings of looking at the world this way. And that has changed. That has changed dramatically today. I mean, if you look at the situation in Ukraine, the amount of gender based violence that has been documented is horrifying, just horrifying, but it's been documented. Manya Brachear Pashman   So is the world of human rights advocacy male-dominated, female-dominated, is it fairly balanced these days? And has that balance made the difference in what you're talking about? Felice Gaer:   You know, I wrote an article in 1988, the 40th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, about why women's rights weren't being addressed. And one of the points I drew attention to was the fact that the heads of almost all the major organizations at the time were all male. And that it wasn't seen as a concern. A lot of that has changed. There's really a real variety of perspectives now that are brought to bear. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So we've talked a lot about the importance of [a] woman's perspective. Does a Jewish perspective matter as well? Felice Gaer:   Oh, on every issue on every issue and, you know, I worked a great deal on freedom of religion and belief, as an issue. That's a core issue of AJC, and it's a fundamental rights issue. And it struck me as surprising that with all the attention to freedom of religion, the concern about antisemitic acts was not being documented by mainstream human rights organizations. And it wasn't being documented by the UN experts on freedom of religion or belief either. I drew this to the attention of Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, who was recently ending his term as Special Rapporteur on Freedom of religion or belief. And he was really very struck by this. And he went, and he did a little bit of research. And he found out that since computerized records had been prepared at the United Nations, that there had been no attention, no attention at all, to cases of alleged antisemitic incidents. And he began a project to record the kinds of problems that existed and to identify what could be done about it. We helped him in the sense that we organized a couple of colloquia, we brought people from all over the world together to talk about the dimensions of the problem and the documentation that they did, and the proposals that they had for addressing it. And he, as you may recall, wrote a brilliant report in 2019, setting out the problems of global antisemitism. And he followed that up in 2022, before leaving his position with what he called an action plan for combating anti semitism, which has concrete specific suggestions for all countries around the world as to what they can do to help combat antisemitism and antisemitic acts, including and to some extent, starting with adopting the working definition on antisemitism of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, but also activities in in the area of education, training, training of law enforcement officials, documentation and public action. It's a real contribution to the international discourse and to understanding that freedom of religion or belief belongs to everyone. Manya Brachear Pashman:   And do you believe that Dr. Shaheed's report is being absorbed, comprehended by those that need to hear it that need to understand it? Felice Gaer   I've been delighted to see the way that the European Union has engaged with Dr. Shaheed and his report has developed standards and expectations for all 27 member states, and that other countries and other parts of the world have done the same. So yeah, I do think they're engaging with it. I hope there'll be a lot more because the problem has only grown. Manya Brachear Pashman:   On the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, JBI issued a report that sounded the alarm on the widespread violations committed against Ukrainians, you mentioned the amount of gender based violence Since that has taken place, and the other just catastrophic consequences of this war. Felice, you've been on the front row of Eastern European affairs and human rights advocacy in that region. From your perspective, and I know this is a big question: How did this war happen? Felice Gaer:   I'll just start by saying: it didn't start in 2022. And if you have to look at what happened, the events of 2014, to understand the events of 2022. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union, or even during the breakup, there was a period where the 15th constituent Union republics of the Soviet Union developed a greater national awareness, really, and some of them had been independent as some of them hadn't been, but they developed a much greater awareness. When the Soviet Union collapsed, the 15 countries, including Russia, as one of the 15, became independent entities. And aside from having more members in the United Nations and the Council of Europe and places like that, it led to much more robust activity, in terms of respecting human rights and other areas of endeavor in each of those countries.  The situation in Russia, with a head of state who has been there, with one exception, a couple of years, for 20 years, has seen an angry desire to reestablish an empire. That's the only thing you can say really about it.  If they can't dominate by having a pro-Russian group in charge in the country, then there have been invasions, there have been Russian forces, Russia-aligned forces sent to the different countries. So whether it's Georgia, or Moldova, or Ukraine, we've seen this pattern.  And unfortunately, what happened in 2022, is the most egregious and I would say, blatant such example. In 2014, the Russians argued that it was local Russian speaking, little green men who were conducting hostilities in these places, or it was local people who wanted to realign with Russia, who were demanding changes, and so forth. But in the 2022 events, Russia's forces invaded, wearing Russian insignia and making it quite clear that this was a matter of state policy that they were pursuing, and that they weren't going to give up.  And it's led to the tragic developments that we've all seen inside the country, and the horrific violence, the terrible, widespread human rights violations. And in war, we know that human rights violations are usually the worst.  And so the one good spot on the horizon: the degree to which these abuses have been documented, it's unprecedented to have so much documentation so early in a conflict like this, which someday may lead to redress and accountability for those who perpetrated it. But right now, in the middle of these events, it's just a horror. Manya Brachear Pashman:   What other human rights situations do we need to be taking more seriously now? And where has there been significant progress? Felice Gaer:   Well, I'll talk about the problem spots if I may for a minute. Everyone points to North Korea as the situation without parallel, that's what a UN Commission of Inquiry said, without parallel in the world. The situation in Iran? Well, you just need to watch what's happened to the protesters, the women and others who have protested over 500 people in the streets have died because of this. 15,000 people imprisoned, and Iran's prisons are known for ill treatment and torture.  The situation in Afghanistan is atrocious. The activities of the Taliban, which they were known for in the 1990s are being brought back. They are normalizing discrimination, they are engaged in probably the most hardline gender discrimination we've seen anywhere where women can't work outside the home, girls can't be educated, political participation is denied. The constitution has been thrown out. All kinds of things. The latest is women can't go to parks, they can't go to university, and they can't work for NGOs. This continues. It's a major crisis.  Well, there are other countries, from Belarus, to Sudan to Uzbekistan, and China, that we could also talk about at great length, lots of problems in the world, and not enough effort to expose them, address them and try to ameliorate them. Manya Brachear Pashman   So what do we do about that? What can our listeners do about that, when we hear this kind of grim report? Felice Gaer:   Work harder. Pay attention when you hear about rights issues. Support rights organizations. Take up cases. Seek redress. Be concerned about the victims. All these things need to be done. Manya Brachear Pashman:   I don't know how you maintain your composure and your cool, Felice, because you have faced so much in terms of challenges and push back. So thank you so much for all you have done for women, for the Jewish people, and for the world at large. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Felice Gaer:   Thank you, Manya.

It's Wednesday, October 30th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims beheaded 4 people including a Christian Open Doors UK reports that Muslim extremists beheaded four abducted individuals recently in northeast Nigeria. At least one of them was a Christian. The terrorists released a graphic video of the murders and are believed to be from Boko Haram. In the video, an armed terrorist said, “Wherever there is an infidel, we will go and find them out by ourselves and execute them.” John Samuel with Open Doors said, “Boko Haram extremists have clearly said time and time again that they are waging a jihad against people they call ‘infidels' – that is anyone who does not sign up to their extreme interpretation of Islam. Some of the people at the top of this list, then, are Christians who are clear targets because of their faith.” 60,000 Brits sign freedom of prayer petition Alliance Defending Freedom released a petition for freedom of prayer in the United Kingdom. this month. Already, nearly 60,000 people have signed it. Authorities in the U.K. recently convicted a Christian of violating censorship zones around abortion mills. Army veteran Adam Smith-Connor had simply prayed silently near an abortion mill! Alliance Defending Freedom sent the petition to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It states, “Freedom of thought is our most basic and precious of rights -- and has long been recognized in British law and every major human rights document from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights onwards.” Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” Kamala calls Trump a “petty tyrant,” likening him to King George III Last night, Vice President Kamala Harris made her campaign's closing argument in a speech at the Ellipse in the nation's capital, reports The Epoch Times. Her campaign claimed that 75,000 people were in attendance. The rally was located at a symbolic site for two reasons. First, it had a direct view of the White House. And secondly, it's the place where Trump delivered his speech on January 6, 2021, that preceded the Capitol breach. HARRIS: “Nearly 250 years ago, America was born when we wrested freedom from a petty tyrant. Across the generations, Americans have preserved that freedom, expanded it, and, in so doing, proved to the world that a government of, by, and for the people is strong and can endure. (cheers) “Those who came before us, the patriots at Normandy and Selma, Seneca Falls and Stonewall (cheers), on farmlands and factory floors, they did not struggle, sacrifice, and lay down their lives only to see us cede our fundamental freedoms. (cheers) “They didn't do that only to see us submit to the will of another petty tyrant.  (cheers) These United States of America, we are not a vessel for the schemes of wannabe dictators.” GOP Congressman: People are done with Kamala's fear mongering Appearing on The Angle with Laura Ingraham on Fox News, Republican Congressman Byron Donalds of Florida rejected the nasty tone, fear mongering, and unsupported accusations in the waning days that Kamala Harris has adopted. Listen. DONALDS: “They were joy and vibes three weeks ago. Now, everything is  ‘attack Donald Trump,'  ‘call him Hitler,'  ‘call his supporters fascists.' “We were at Madison Square Garden. Laura, it was great to see you there. It was a fantastic night. “You had people like myself, Vivek Ramaswamy, ‘Harry-O,' the founder of Death Row Records. We spoke at that rally. Do you think the Nazis would let two black guys and a guy of Hindu dissent speak at a rally? At one of theirs? Absolutely not! But that's all they have. “The constant fear mongering and gaslighting is enough. People are sick of it. They're done. They're done with Kamala Harris and they're done with this version of the Democrat Party.” Washington Post, L.A. Times, & USA Today don't endorse for president Breaking with recent practice, major news outlets are not endorsing a candidate in the upcoming presidential election. The Washington Post announced last Friday it is not making a presidential endorsement for the first time in 36 years.  The Los Angeles Times and USA Today also announced they will not be endorsing a candidate for president. In the wake of the decisions, top editors resigned and 200,000 left-leaning subscribers to the Washington Post cancelled their subscriptions.  Many conservatives have concluded that Jeff Bezos and Patrick Soon-Shiong, the billionaire owners of the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times respectively, have concluded that Trump is likely to win the 2024 election and do not want to irritate him by endorsing Kamala Harris. How God spared a couple in Hurricane Helene Queen City News reports a North Carolina couple is giving thanks to God after surviving Hurricane Helene. Howard Ray and his wife, Lisa, thought they were about to die as flooding swamped their trailer in Yancey County. However, they were able to escape the trailer and use their couch as a flotation device. Eventually, they made their way to safety. HOWARD: “I don't understand. We shouldn't be alive. I mean, there's just no way. It's all God.” LISA: “Yeah, we shouldn't be alive, but God has a purpose.” REPORTER: “What do you think that purpose is?” LISA: “I'm not sure. I'm still asking questions.” HOWARD: “I think maybe what we're doing right now, maybe it gets out and shows people that there is a God.” Lisa had to be hospitalized for some cuts, and Howard, a lieutenant with the local volunteer fire department, returned to the area to help first responders. They both praised God for His protection.  Worldview listeners fully fund Pakistani orphanage well And finally, if you heard the newscast on Monday, you learned that a 200-foot-deep well of a Pakistani Christian orphanage, which housed 87 orphans, had become polluted with chemicals which tragically led to the deaths of two orphans. Toward the $15,000 cost of building a 500-foot-deep well which will deliver safe drinking water, Pastor Michael, the founder of the orphanage whom I have met personally, still needed to raise the final $4,185.  Thanks to several Worldview donors on Monday, the amount remaining was $3,110. And yesterday, Michele in Altha, Florida gave $100, a couple from San Antonio, Texas gave $150, a family in Lexington Park, Maryland gave $150,  a couple in Paw Paw, Michigan gave $500, a couple in Kailua Kona, Hawaii gave $500, a couple in Simpsonville, South Carolina gave $1,000, and Dick and Deborah in Wayland, Michigan -- along with their teenage sons Jonas and Jeremiah who contributed money from their dog-sitting business – gave $1,054.75. Those 7 donations add up to $3,454.75. That means we surpassed the goal by $344.75.  The additional money will go toward the $2,000 monthly budget which pays for the food, clothing, medical care, and Christian education of the 85 orphans. If you would like to help with that budget, send your tax-deductible donation made out to Rio Grande Valley Prayer Center, their sister organization here in America. The address is 3106 Harmony Lane, Mission, TX 78574.  In the memo, write: “Pakistani orphanage.” The prayer center will then wire your money to a nearby bank in Pakistan.  Please email me at Adam@TheWorldview.com to let me know how much you sent so I can offer one final report on Thursday's newscast. James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, October 30th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Sustainable ETFs for Sustainable Investors. More… It also covers top Zacks ranking alternative energy stocks such as Talen Energy Corporation. By Ron Robins, MBA Transcript & Links, Episode 140, October 18, 2024 Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to this podcast episode 140 published October 18, 2024, titled “Top Sustainable Companies and Funds for 2024.” It's presented by Investing for the Soul. Investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing mentoring, news, commentary, information, and resources. Remember that you can find a full transcript and links to content – including stock symbols and bonus material – on this episode's podcast page at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts. Also, a reminder. I do not evaluate any of the stocks or funds mentioned in these podcasts, and I don't receive any compensation from anyone covered in these podcasts. Furthermore, I will reveal any investments I have in the investments mentioned herein. Additionally, quotes about individual companies are brief. Please go to this podcast's webpage for links to the articles and more company and stock information. ------------------------------------------------------------- 10 Climate & ESG Investment Funds to Know About Now, I'm leading this podcast with this article titled 10 Climate & ESG Investment Funds to Know About. It's by Trinity Sparke and can be seen on onegreenplanet.org. Here's some of what Ms. Sparke says about her picks. “1. The Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund (BAFWX) The Brown Advisory Sustainable Growth Fund, part of the Brown Advisory Funds family, boasts total assets of $9.9 billion as of June 30, 2024. This large growth fund has consistently aimed to deliver significant returns while aligning with sustainable investment principles. Over the past year, it has achieved an impressive return of 17.11%. 2. Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF (NWLG) With a focus on long-term capital appreciation, the Nuveen Winslow Large-Cap Growth ESG ETF seeks out high-quality companies that demonstrate above-average earnings growth potential… The fund takes an integrated approach to ESG investing, incorporating environmental, social, and governance considerations, as well as assessing controversy inputs to mitigate risks. 3. Praxis Growth Index Fund (MMDEX) The Praxis Growth Index Fund is designed to pursue capital appreciation through a thoughtfully curated portfolio of stocks that mirror the performance of the U.S. large-cap growth equity market. It operates under a stewardship investing framework, incorporating responsible investment criteria into its selection process… The Praxis Growth Index Fund is ideal for investors looking to balance growth potential with ethical investing. 4. Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF (ESGV) The Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF stands out with its low expense ratio of just 0.09% and an appealing dividend yield of 1.08%. Since its inception in September 2018, the fund has delivered an average annual return of 13.31%. With nearly 1,500 holdings, the ETF offers a highly diversified portfolio predominantly composed of U.S. stocks… The Vanguard ESG U.S. Stock ETF is an excellent choice for investors seeking growth alongside sustainability. 5. Pimco Enhanced Short Maturity Active ESG ETF (EMNT) The Pimco Enhanced Short Maturity Active ESG ETF is designed to preserve capital while maximizing income for its investors. With an expense ratio of 0.24% and an appealing dividend yield of 5.05%, this actively managed ETF emphasizes high-quality, short-term, dollar-denominated debt… [This fund] focuses on securities from issuers whose ESG practices align with PIMCO's investment strategy, making it a strong option for socially conscious investors. 6. iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF (SDG) The iShares MSCI Global Sustainable Development Goals ETF is dedicated to investing in companies that contribute positively to addressing significant social and environmental challenges, as identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With an expense ratio of 0.49% and a dividend yield of 1.82%, this fund has delivered an impressive average annual return of 8.16% since its inception in April 2016. 7. Fidelity U.S. Sustainability Index Fund (FITLX) The Fidelity U.S. Sustainability Index Fund offers a cost-effective option for ESG investors, featuring an impressively low expense ratio of 0.11% and a dividend yield of 0.99%. This passive index fund is designed to track the MSCI USA ESG Index, providing broad exposure to a diverse array of U.S. companies across various industries and market capitalizations. As of the latest data, [this fund] has delivered a robust average annual return of 15.65% over the past five years… The Fidelity U.S. Sustainability Index Fund has outperformed its large-cap blend category average over the past two, three, and five years. 8. Calvert US Mid Cap Core Responsible Index Fund (CMJAX) Established nearly 50 years ago, the Calvert US Mid Cap Core Responsible Index Fund is a strong contender for investors seeking significant exposure to mid-cap stocks. With an expense ratio of 0.49% and a dividend yield of 0.81%, this fund emphasizes responsible investing in businesses committed to positive social and environmental practices… Over the past five years, [the fund] has achieved an average annual return of 9.48%. 9. BlackRock Sustainable Advantage CoreAlpha Bond Fund (BIAAX) The BlackRock Sustainable Advantage CoreAlpha Bond Fund offers an actively managed approach to fixed-income investing, emphasizing bonds that not only provide income but also have the potential for positive societal impact. With an expense ratio of 0.54% and a dividend yield of 3.78%, this fund aims to balance capital appreciation with income generation. However, it has faced challenges in the current interest rate environment, with an average annual return of -0.47% over the past five years. 10. American Century Sustainable Growth ETF (ESGY) The American Century Sustainable Growth ETF is designed to provide a total return that surpasses its benchmark over market cycles by employing a growth-oriented U.S. equity strategy that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. As of September 27, 2024, the fund boasts a year-to-date total return of 34.45%, reflecting its strong performance in a competitive market.” End quotes ------------------------------------------------------------- The 10 Largest Funds Aligned to Sustainable Development Goals The second article I'm covering might appeal to European investors in particular. It's titled The 10 Largest Funds Aligned to Sustainable Development Goals by Liz Angeles and found on morningstar.com. Note: the ESG Risk Rating Assessments below. Five globes are the best, and one globe is the worst. “1. Northern Trust UCITs Common Contractual Fund — NT World SDG Screened Low Carbon Index Fund A EUR ACC Morningstar Rating: 5 Stars ESG Risk Rating Assessment: 4 Globes The investment objective of the fund is to closely match the risk and return characteristics of the MSCI World Select ESG Leaders Low Carbon Impact G Series Index with net dividends reinvested… 2. DWS Invest SDG Global Equities XC Morningstar Rating: 4 Stars ESG Risk Rating Assessment: 4 Globes While it does not have as its objective a sustainable investment, it will invest a minimum proportion of its assets in sustainable investments as defined by the EU's Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation… The subfund is actively managed and is not managed in reference to a benchmark, according to fund literature. 3. NT Europe SDG Screened Low Carbon Idx Fd A EUR Inc Morningstar Rating: 4 Stars ESG Risk Rating Assessment: 4 Globes The investment objective of the fund is to closely match the risk and return characteristics of the MSCI Europe Select ESG Leaders Low Carbon Impact G Series Index with net dividends reinvested, according to fund literature… Over the past two years, it beat the category index by an annualized 2.1 percentage points and outperformed the category average by 4.6 percentage points. And more importantly, when looking across a longer horizon, the strategy outpaced the index, according to Morningstar Manager Research. 4. Robeco Global SDG Engagement Equities I EUR Capitalisation Morningstar Rating: 2 Stars ESG Risk Rating Assessment: 3 Globes The subfund aims to provide long-term capital growth while at the same time promoting certain ESG characteristics and integrating sustainability risks in the investment process. A primary objective is to drive a clear and measurable improvement in a company's contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals over three to five years. 5. Federated Hermes SDG Engagement Equity Fund Class X USD Accumulating Morningstar Rating: 3 Stars ESG Risk Rating Assessment: 3 Globes The investment objective of the fund is to provide long-term capital appreciation alongside positive societal impact. The fund will seek to achieve its investment objective over a rolling period of any five years, by investing at least 80% in equity and/or equity-related securities of, or relating to, small- and mid-capitalization companies domiciled in, or that derive their income from, developed and emerging markets, according to fund literature. 6. Northern Trust UCITS FGR Fund—Emerging Markets SDG Screened Low Carbon Index FGR Fund A EUR Dis Morningstar Rating: Not available ESG Risk Rating Assessment: 4 Globes The investment objective of the fund is to closely match the risk and return characteristics of the MSCI Emerging Markets Select ESG Leaders Low Carbon Impact G Series Index with net dividends reinvested… The fund aims to avoid or minimize holdings in companies breaching international norms, including the U.N. Global Compact or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, according to Morningstar Manager Research. 7. Northern Trust UCITS FGR Fund — North America SDG Screened Low Carbon Index FGR Fund A EUR Morningstar Rating: Not available ESG Risk Rating Assessment: 5 Globes The investment objective of the fund is to closely match the risk and return characteristics of the MSCI North America Select ESG Leaders Low Carbon Impact G Series with net dividends reinvested. 8. CT (Lux) SDG Engagement Global Equity XR EUR Acc Morningstar Rating: 4 Stars ESG Risk Rating Assessment: 5 Globes The portfolio aims to achieve long-term capital growth and support sustainable development, according to fund literature… The fund aims to avoid, or limit exposure to, companies in violation with international norms, such as the U.N. Global Compact or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. No companies held by this fund are recognized as being involved in controversies at a high or severe level, according to Morningstar Manager Research. 9. NEF Ethical Global Trends SDG I Cap Morningstar Rating: 3 Stars ESG Risk Rating Assessment: 2 Globes The subfund seeks an attractive long-term rate of return, measured in euros, through investment primarily in equity securities of companies domiciled in developed countries, but investment may be made in equity securities of companies domiciled in emerging countries. The subfund seeks to invest mainly in stocks issued by companies with high-quality ESG profiles and that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals as defined by the United Nations, according to fund literature. 10. Northern Trust UCITS FGR Fund — Europe SDG Screened Low Carbon Index FGR Fund A EUR Morningstar Rating: 4 Stars ESG Risk Rating Assessment: 4 Globes The investment objective of the fund is to invest at least 85% of its assets in the master fund, the investment objective of which is to closely match the risk and return characteristics of the MSCI Europe Select ESG Leaders Low Carbon Impact G Series Index with net dividends reinvested… The fund aims to avoid, or limit exposure to, companies in violation with international norms, such as the U.N. Global Compact or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- IBD's 100 Most Sustainable Companies For 2024 This third article is about one of my favorite companies' rankings. It's titled IBD's 100 Most Sustainable Companies For 2024. It's by Annie Stanley and found on investors.com. Here are some quotes from Ms. Stanley. “More than three quarters (77%) of individual investors around the world say they want to invest in companies or funds that aim to achieve market-rate financial returns while also considering positive social and/or environmental impact, according to a recent report from Morgan Stanley… To build IBD's 2024 list of the 100 Most Sustainable Companies, we started with Morningstar's U.S. and global Low Carbon Transition Leaders Indexes… The indexes target the best-scoring 50% of companies from each sector, by market capitalization… We selected the companies with the highest IBD Composite Rating — all with scores of 80 or better, putting them in the top 20%. Finally, we ranked the companies by the climate management score, using the IBD Composite Rating to break any ties. Topping the list this year is Moody's (MCO), demonstrating that a company that provides data on ESG factors can itself be a model of sustainability best practices. U.S. gas and electric utility Southern Co. (SO) is next on the list, and consumer giant Colgate-Palmolive (CL) is third… Two more utility companies, Alliant Energy (LNT) and NRG Energy (NRG), finished fourth and fifth, respectively, on this year's IBD 100 Most Sustainable Companies list.” End quotes. ------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Articles 1. Title: Sustainable Investing Replaces ESG. See The Top Green Stocks By Industry Category on investors.com. By Annie Stanley. 2. Title: The top 10 best-performing ESG funds of the decade on financial-planning.com. By Rob Burgess. ------------------------------------------------------------- Ending Comment These are my top news stories with their stock and fund tips for this podcast “Top Sustainable Companies and Funds for 2024.” Please click the like and subscribe buttons wherever you download or listen to this podcast. That helps bring these podcasts to others like you. And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. Let's promote ethical and sustainable investing as a force for hope and prosperity in these troubled times! Contact me if you have any questions. Thank you for listening. Now my next podcast will be November 1st. I'll talk to you then! Bye for now.   © 2024 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Despite its frequent usage in everyday discourse, the concept and application(s) of human rights can be quite elusive. It is typically assumed that human rights are a set of objective rights that are endowed to every person regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion and citizenship status. Human rights are also believed to be established and protected by the United Nations—another seemingly objective organization. In this podcast series, I sought to a) critique the imagined universality of human rights by contextualizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and b) provide tangible applications of human rights by interviewing three significant contributors to this field. Each interview covers a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, international structures that keep Haiti poor (Ep: 1 Brian Concannon Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti), the importance of community based approaches in supporting survivors of sexual violence both domestically and internationally (Ep: 2 Payal Shah '03 Physicians for Human Rights) and a buddhist's approach to international human rights advocacy (Ep: 3 Nicole Phillips Haitian Bridge Alliance),    This episode was written and produced by Destiny Rosulmé

Despite its frequent usage in everyday discourse, the concept and application(s) of human rights can be quite elusive. It is typically assumed that human rights are a set of objective rights that are endowed to every person regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion and citizenship status. Human rights are also believed to be established and protected by the United Nations—another seemingly objective organization. In this podcast series, I sought to a) critique the imagined universality of human rights by contextualizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and b) provide tangible applications of human rights by interviewing three significant contributors to this field. Each interview covers a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, international structures that keep Haiti poor (Ep: 1 Brian Concannon Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti), the importance of community based approaches in supporting survivors of sexual violence both domestically and internationally (Ep: 2 Payal Shah '03 Physicians for Human Rights) and a buddhist's approach to international human rights advocacy (Ep: 3 Nicole Phillips Haitian Bridge Alliance),    This episode was written and produced by Destiny Rosulmé

Despite its frequent usage in everyday discourse, the concept and application(s) of human rights can be quite elusive. It is typically assumed that human rights are a set of objective rights that are endowed to every person regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion and citizenship status. Human rights are also believed to be established and protected by the United Nations—another seemingly objective organization. In this podcast series, I sought to a) critique the imagined universality of human rights by contextualizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and b) provide tangible applications of human rights by interviewing three significant contributors to this field. Each interview covers a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, international structures that keep Haiti poor (Ep: 1 Brian Concannon Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti), the importance of community based approaches in supporting survivors of sexual violence both domestically and internationally (Ep: 2 Payal Shah '03 Physicians for Human Rights) and a buddhist's approach to international human rights advocacy (Ep: 3 Nicole Phillips Haitian Bridge Alliance),    This episode was written and produced by Destiny Rosulmé

Despite its frequent usage in everyday discourse, the concept and application(s) of human rights can be quite elusive. It is typically assumed that human rights are a set of objective rights that are endowed to every person regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion and citizenship status. Human rights are also believed to be established and protected by the United Nations—another seemingly objective organization. In this podcast series, I sought to a) critique the imagined universality of human rights by contextualizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and b) provide tangible applications of human rights by interviewing three significant contributors to this field. Each interview covers a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, international structures that keep Haiti poor (Ep: 1 Brian Concannon Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti), the importance of community based approaches in supporting survivors of sexual violence both domestically and internationally (Ep: 2 Payal Shah '03 Physicians for Human Rights) and a buddhist's approach to international human rights advocacy (Ep: 3 Nicole Phillips Haitian Bridge Alliance),    This episode was written and produced by Destiny Rosulmé

Listen and Learn about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 27.  1.  Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits. 2. Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author. This episode features an interview with nationally renowned artist, Debbie Arambula. Debbie is affectionately identified by her art collectors as “The Heart Artist”. Her energetic use of exuberant colors expresses emotional energy that speaks to people in all walks of life. Named a contemporary master by art mogul David Goldstein, she has been recognized countless times for her mastery of color and signature style. With over a quarter of a century of experience creating highly regarded public and private art she has been commissioned by thousands of people and her paintings can be found in homes all over the world.  Debbie has been selected to participate in over 2000 juried art shows nationwide.  Passionate about uplifting the world through art she been invited to participate in several public art projects and community fundraising partnerships with such prestigious non-profits as Hospice of the Valley, American Heart Association, Boulder City Hospital, Hearts in San Francisco Foundation, SF General Hospital, Komen LA, City of Campbell, City of Morgan Hill and more. Extensively interviewed in the media nationwide since 1996, Debbie has been seen on NBC and ABC affiliates in major West Coast cities, KRON TV, Entertainment Magazine, Good Day Sacramento, Good Morning Scottsdale, Fox 5 in Las Vegas, ABC, NBC and KFYI Phoenix, among others. Debbie has also been featured in major magazines & newspapers such as Romantic Homes Magazine-National, SF Chronicle, LA Times, San Jose Mercury News, Homes by the Sea, and Décor Magazine.    

If the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were rewritten today, what rights would we add to strive for a more just world? In the final episode of our five-part series, IDEAS looks beyond our fractured present and tries to imagine what new rights we need for our own millennium.

The right to freedom of thought and the freedom to express those thoughts is especially resonant in our own time. In his novel 1984, Orwell proposed a future of “thought-crime” and in many places that day has arrived. IDEAS continues our series exploring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in this episode look to the history and future of free expression.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states, "Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country." We also have a right to seek "asylum from persecution" in other countries. At a time when more people are forcibly displaced than at any other point in recorded history, Nahlah Ayed speaks with guests about where the rights to leave, return and seek refuge came from, and what they could mean today.

Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares, "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation." It's a right with profound implications for our lives in the 21st century, from digital surveillance to sexuality and autonomy. How can we protect ourselves?

How do we create a better world? In a five-part series, IDEAS explores efforts to imagine new possibilities and make them real by focusing on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the first episode, panelists examine what the right to "life, liberty, and security of person" could mean, and how it could transform our world. 

Strength & Solidarity Season 6 will start in November. Meanwhile we're repeating some of our favourite shows from past seasons. This week we're revisiting episode 39, first released, December 21, 2023. Original Episode Description from December 2023: The ⁠Universal Declaration of Human Rights⁠ (UDHR) turned 75 on the 10 December 2023. Passed by the UN General Assembly in the wake of two brutal world wars, it expressed an aspiration for a new world, one in which every human being's rights would be acknowledged and respected, and international law would regulate the actions of states and hold them accountable for violations. That vision is as powerful today as it was then and it has sometimes, and in some places, been realized. But the failures are many. Despite their pledge, governments have repeatedly abandoned principle to pursue their own interests, leaving ordinary people – sometimes an individual, sometimes millions – without protection from brutal mistreatment or immiseration and lacking any recourse. Why does the the global human rights system fail? And can it be made to work? A group of moderators from the Symposium on Strength and Solidarity for Human Rights get round a table to argue it out. For a list of supplemental readings and additional information about this episode's content, visit ⁠https://strengthandsolidarity.org/podcasts/⁠ Contact us at pod@strengthandsolidarity.org

Judge Thomas G. Moukawsher is a retired Connecticut complex litigation judge and former lawyer, legislator and lobbyist. He is the author of “The Common Flaw: Needless Complexity in the Courts and 50 Ways to Reduce It. It is critical that the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) have a strong Code of Ethics with enforcement penalties.   Recent SCOTUS decisions, especially the absolute immunity, have made it more confusing and difficult to prosecute a corrupt US President. For decades the US has been a beacon for justice and democracy; however, with an attack on our Rule of Law and democratic institutions many nations are alarmed. The US should strongly support the UN's  International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court to maintain our moral authority internationally. The US Constitution and other legal mechanisms played a critical role in developing the United Nations Charter in 1945 and the Universal Declaration for Human Rights in 1948

Otis Day uses the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in his work with Halifax-area schools. It's taken him from the classroom teaching a few dozen students, to being in charge of equity for 60,000 students for the Halifax Regional Centre for Education. And this past weekend, it took him to the United Nations, where he was on a panel with human rights activists from around the world.

Who are human rights for? Where is the 'human' in 'human rights'? What have we learned about human rights conceptually, as well as in practice, over the last 75 years? In this brief first episode, our host Iman introduces our theme for this season, and gives an overview of the questions we seek to probe while reflecting on the 75 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In 1905, Eleanor Roosevelt married her distant cousin Franklin, beginning a remarkable and complicated union. During her husband's years as President, from 1933 to 1945, Eleanor became the longest-serving First Lady and she transformed the role, becoming the first presidential spouse to hold regular press conferences and host a weekly radio show. Known for her outspokenness, Eleanor championed her husband's New Deal policies but also publicly disagreed with him. After FDR's death, she served on the United Nations General Assembly and helped draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, cementing her legacy as a powerful advocate for human rights and social justice.Order your copy of the new American History Tellers book, The Hidden History of the White House, for behind-the-scenes stories of some of the most dramatic events in American history—set right inside the house where it happened.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rafael Agustin is a writer on the award-winning The CW show Jane The Virgin and is a past Sundance Institute Episodic Fellow. He currently serves as CEO of the Latino Film Institute, overseeing the Youth Cinema Project, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), and LatinX in Animation. In 2018, LA Weekly named Agustin one of the fifty most essential people in Los Angeles. The United Nations also invited him to speak at their 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Additionally, the LA Times declared Agustin a "Power Player" in their inaugural LA Vanguardia class in 2022. He is a Board Member of Mother Jones and the National Film Preservation Board at the Library of Congress. Agustin received his AA from Mt. San Antonio College and his BA and MA from UCLA's School of Theater, Film & Television.Email: rafa1026@gmail.comRafa'sIG: @mrrafaelagustinTiktok : @mrrafaelagustinX : @rafaelagustinLFI WebsiteLALIFF Website, where they will find volunteer opportunitiesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support.

Rafael Agustin is a writer on the award-winning The CW show Jane The Virgin and is a past Sundance Institute Episodic Fellow. He currently serves as CEO of the Latino Film Institute, overseeing the Youth Cinema Project, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF), and LatinX in Animation. In 2018, LA Weekly named Agustin one of the fifty most essential people in Los Angeles. The United Nations also invited him to speak at their 70th Anniversary Celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Additionally, the LA Times declared Agustin a "Power Player" in their inaugural LA Vanguardia class in 2022. He is a Board Member of Mother Jones and the National Film Preservation Board at the Library of Congress. Agustin received his AA from Mt. San Antonio College and his BA and MA from UCLA's School of Theater, Film & Television.For More On Rafael Augistine:Email: rafa1026@gmail.comRafa'sIG: @mrrafaelagustinTiktok: @mrrafaelagustinX: @rafaelagustinLFI WebsiteLALIFF Website, where they will find volunteer opportunitiesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/only-one-in-the-room--6052418/support.

“An Overview of Religious Persecution Religious persecution can be defined as the systematic hostility or ill-treatment encountered by an individual or group because of their religious beliefs. It may be manifest in a variety of forms. Laws may discriminate against those who subscribe, or fail to subscribe, to a particular religion, resulting in minority traditions experiencing harsher punishments for breaching the law. “Personal status laws” that control marriage, divorce, inheritance and child rearing, may also be used to discriminate against particular faith groups. In the most severe cases, persecution may take a violent form, with minorities facing physical attacks and threats from the government or wider community. The Holocaust, during which six million Jews were killed under a Nazi regime, is one of the worst examples of widespread and systemic religious persecution known to humankind. Aside from legal discrimination, minority groups may find themselves socially excluded from communities, forced to worship in secret for fear of public criticism Religious freedom The principle of the freedom of religion and belief asserts that individuals should be free to believe in any faith system according to their conscience. This principle also supports the rights of atheists and agnostics not to subscribe to a particular religion. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enshrines freedom of religion, belief and conscience as a right for all peoples. This right includes freedom to change your religion or belief, and freedom to manifest your religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” Link: https://jpit.uk/issues/religious-persecution. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

Human rights lawyer Dr. Susie Alegre shares her insights into the threat artificial intelligence poses to human creativity, the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in safeguarding freedom of thought, and applying existing laws to regulate the development and deployment of emerging technologies. Dr. Susie Alegre is a leading international human rights lawyer and Associate at Garden Court Chambers. She has been a legal pioneer in digital human rights, in particular the impact of artificial intelligence on the human rights of freedom of thought and opinion. She is also a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Roehampton, and a Senior Fellow at CIGI. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience for an event in partnership with Engage Works. ABOUT THE HOST Luke Robert Mason is a British-born futures theorist who is passionate about engaging the public with emerging scientific theories and technological developments. He hosts documentaries for Futurism, and has contributed to BBC Radio, BBC One, The Guardian, Discovery Channel, VICE Motherboard and Wired Magazine. CREDITS Producer & Host: Luke Robert Mason Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @FUTURESPodcast Follow Luke Robert Mason on Twitter at @LukeRobertMason Subscribe & Support the Podcast at http://futurespodcast.net

Did you know that much of the Palestinian diaspora is forbidden by Israel to return to Palestine, despite Article 13(2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which requires nations to ensure the safe return of refugees to their homeland? Unless you know a Palestinian, you probably didn't.Amal Fayad is one such member of this diaspora, numbering in the millions across the world, who knows Gaza,  through the stories of her family. Both of her parents grew up in Gaza, but cannot go back, even with an American passport. Hear about her dad's survival at sea as a toddler, her grandmother's strength, as well as what “equal” rights currently means for Palestinian “citizens” of Israel. Tune in at 6pm EST to Apple podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music or head to our website to take a listen. Share this episode with someone who insists Palestinians are equal citizens of Israel.  Links:For an intro to the Palestinian struggleSaid, Edward W. The question of PalestineKhalidi, Rashid. The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017Pappe, Ilan. The ethnic cleansing of PalestineFor a history of PalestineDoumani, Beshara. Rediscovering Palestine: merchants and peasants in Jabal Nablus, 1700–1900For Nakba deniersAbdo,  Nahla, and Nur Masalha, eds. An oral history of the Palestinian NakbaAssad, Dawud. Palestine Rising: How I survived the 1948 Deir Yasin MassacreKhalidi, Walid (ed.), Sharif S. Elmusa, and Muhammad Ali Khalidi. All that remains: The Palestinian villages occupied and depopulated by Israel in 1948Masalha, Nur. Expulsion of the Palestinians. Washington, DC: Institute for Palestine Studies, 1992.Masalha, Nur. The politics of denial: Israel and the Palestinian refugee problemOn resistanceDavis, Angela Y. Freedom is a constant struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the foundations of a movementSpace Vacation, The MusicalThe sci-fi musical comedy for the whole Family!Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the Show.1. Web: www.mommyingwhilemuslim.com2. Email: salam@mommyingwhilemuslim.com3. FB: Mommying While Muslim page and Mommyingwhilemuslim group4. IG: @mommyingwhilemuslimpodcast5. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrrdKxpBdBO4ZLwB1kTmz1w

Here is a list of all of the words ending in the suffix -ology that are in religious texts that many in the faith-based community fight over: “https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_words_with_the_suffix_-ology.” -Wikipedia. The global faith-based community fights over: The Universal Declaration of Human rights Sex workers' rights The Declaration of Sexual Pleasure The Declaration of Sexual Rights Freedom from religion Social justice Social equality Social equity Gun controlEquality before the law Freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention Freedom of assembly Freedom of association Cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment Freedom from discrimination Freedom of information Freedom of movement Freedom of religion Freedom from slavery Freedom of speech Freedom of thought Freedom from torture Legal aid LGBT rights Liberty Nationality Personhood Presumption of innocence Right of asylum Right to die Right to a fair trial Right to family life Right to keep and bear arms Right to life Right to petition Right to privacy Right to protest Right to refuse medical treatment Right to resist Right of self-defense Right to truth Security of person Suffrage  Right to homeland Digital rights Equal pay for equal work Fair remuneration Labor rights Right to an adequate standard of living Right to clothing Right to development Right to education Right to food Right to health Right to a healthy environment Right to housing Right to Internet access Right to property Right to public participation Right of reply Right to rest and leisure Right of return Right to science and culture Right to social security Right to water Right to work Abortion Family planning Freedom from involuntary female genital mutilation Intersex human rights Sexual and reproductive health Right to sexuality Crimes against humanity Genocide War crimes Spiritual gift - Wikipedia --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

Author and professor Eric Heinze joins Tim to talk about freedom of speech and expression at the most fundamental level. He recently wrote a book on free speech, but it's not exactly what you might expect. He explores free speech in a larger more fundamental context than America's First Amendment. He talks about it in the context of universal human rights. Eric tells us about the thinking behind his new book called, “The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech is Everything.” This episode was originally released May 9, 2022. https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/shapingopinion/337_-_Eric_Heinze_Free_Speech.mp3 One of the benefits of having a podcast is that you get the chance to talk to a diverse set of really smart and interesting people. Sometimes those people write books, and that's the case with our guest today. As mentioned, the book Eric Heinze wrote is about free speech and human rights. Eric is a professor of law and humanities at Queen Mary University of London. In his book, he asks questions like, “What are human rights?” “Are they laid out definitively in the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights or the U.S. Bill of Rights?” Or, are they just items on a checklist, like a good standard of living, housing, dignity? That's how Eric frames his new book. But what caught my attention when reading the book is how deep he really goes on this topic. He doesn't flinch when he takes the stance that when global human rights programs fail, it is often the result of people being denied one basic human right – freedom of speech. Links Eric Heinze: Queen Mary University of London “The Most Human Right: Why Free Speech is Everything,” by Eric Heinze (Amazon) About this Episode's Guest Eric Heinze After completing studies in Paris, Berlin, Boston, and Leiden, Eric Heinze worked with the International Commission of Jurists and UN Sub-Commission on Human Rights, in Geneva, and on private litigation before the United Nations Administrative Tribunal in New York. He conducts lectures and interviews internationally in English, French, German, and Dutch, and is a member of the Bars of New York and Massachusetts, and has also advised NGOs on human rights, including Liberty, Amnesty International and the Media Diversity Institute. He has recently served as Project Leader for the four nation EU (HERA) consortium Memory Laws in European and Comparative Perspective (MELA).  His prior awards and fellowships have included a Fulbright Fellowship, a French Government (Chateaubriand) Fellowship, a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) fellowship, a Nuffield Foundation Grant, an Obermann Fellowship (Center for Advanced Studies, University of Iowa), and several Harvard University Fellowships, including a Sheldon grant, an Andres Public Interest grant, and a C. Clyde Ferguson Human Rights Fellowship. Heinze co-founded and currently directs Queen Mary's Centre for Law, Democracy, and Society (CLDS).  His opinion pieces  have appeared in The Washington Post, The Guardian, The Independent, Times Higher Education, Aeon, The Raw Story, openDemocracy, Speakers' Corner Trust, Quillette, The Conversation, Left Foot Forward, Eurozine, and other publications, and he has done television, radio and press interviews for media in Denmark, Brazil, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, the UK and the US.  He serves on the Advisory Board of the International Journal of Human Rights, the University of Bologna Law Review and the British Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. Heinze recently completed The Most Human Right for MIT Press.  His other books include Hate Speech and Democratic Citizenship (Oxford University Press, 2016), The Concept of Injustice (Routledge 2013), The Logic of Constitutional Rights (Ashgate 2005; Routledge 2017); The Logic of Liberal Rights (Ashgate 2003; Routledge 2017); The Logic of Equality (Ashgate 2003; Routledge 2019), Sexual Orientation: A Human Right (Nijhoff 1995),

1948 was a landmark year in international politics. It saw the establishment of modern Israel. And it saw the General Assembly of the United Nations adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That document, recognized today as a foundation stone of international human-rights law, gives voice to a range of fundamental rights meant to honor human freedom and dignity. At the time, many of the proponents of human-rights statements and organizations were not only Jewish but proud Zionists. In the seventy-five years since, those two sorts of commitments seem to have grown in different directions, so that now, most people who work in the human-rights industry do not support but actively oppose the foundational premises and practical necessities of Jewish national freedom. Hillel Neuer is the executive director of UN Watch, a human-rights organization based in Geneva. Together in conversation with Mosaic editor Jonathan Silver, he asks several pressing questions about this history, which he wrote about as a chapter in the new volume Jewish Priorities: Sixty-Five Proposals for the Future of Our People, published by Wicked Son. How did the human-rights movement and Israel start together? How did they grow apart? Can the human-rights movement change course, so that it can still highlight violations of human-rights law without falling prey to the obsession with Israel that today undermines its credibility? Musical selections in this podcast are drawn from the Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, op. 31a, composed by Paul Ben-Haim and performed by the ARC Ensemble.

The following full uncut conversation is from our recent episode "Israel, Hamas & Universal Human Rights: Former UN Official Craig Mokhiber Describes Path Forward."  It is available here as a podcast thanks to generous contributions from listeners like you. Thank you.  Support the podcast by becoming a member => LauraFlanders.org/donateDescription: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations 75 years ago this December, as was the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. But that same year also saw the institutionalization of apartheid in South Africa, and the Palestine War or Nakba which displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs in the course of creating the state of Israel. What does it mean to commemorate this anniversary in a time of genocide and gross violation of human rights — particularly in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas? Until recently, Craig Mokhiber was the director in the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), where he had served since 1992. A specialist in international human rights law, policy, and methodology, he worked through genocides against Tutsis in Rwanda, Muslims in Bosnia, Yazidis in Iraq, and Rohingya in Myanmar. In his resignation letter, sent October 28th this year, he wrote, “Once again, we are seeing a genocide unfolding before our eyes, and the organization that we serve appears powerless to stop it.” Both Israel and Hamas have now been accused of committing gross violations of human rights in their current conflict, including acts of genocide. But what exactly is genocide? And what is the responsibility of the world to stop it? In this timely episode, Laura and Mokhiber explore the promise of the Universal Declaration and ask how we can honor this historic achievement while also acknowledging the hypocrisies of 1948 — and now. What can be learned from the South African experience that might offer a way forward for peace with justice for Israelis and Palestinians? All that and a commentary from Laura on what it takes for us to recognize one another's humanity.Guest:  Craig Mokhiber: Human Rights Lawyer, Former Senior United Nations OfficialFull Episode Notes are located HERE.  They include related episodes, articles, and more.

After two World Wars and the Holocaust, the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 was a milestone for humanity. But 75 years later, the document remains both an inspiration and a measure of failure. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, talks with Dr. Josh Sharfstein about the origins of the document, its role in "stating the obvious," and why the world has fallen woefully behind in upholding it. Learn more: https://research.un.org/en/udhr75