We are continuing with a series of contributions on the anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Vienna Declaration. In this issue we provide a link to an article by Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights. In it he argues that “… the potential of human rights to challenge the devastating rise of economic inequality has not been fully realized – yet. If human rights are to remain relevant for a further 75 years, activists should make it a priority to better understand and untap this potential.” READ MORE

This issue we include the report of our recent DTP alumni survey, profile award-winning alumnus Jonathan Mesulam and share news from alumni, the region and the UN.

DTP ALUMNI - NETWORKING SURVEY: DTP recently surveyed its alumni on networking. A big thanks to the 250 plus alumni who responded. DTP recognises the need to invest more in the amazing DTP alumni networks working for human right. READ THE REPORT

ASIA DEMOCRACY NETWORK'S ASIA DEMOCRACY ASSEMBLY 2023: 20-22 November, Bangkok. REGISTER HERE

CHILD RIGHTS AND THE NEW GENERAL COMMENT 26 WEBINAR SERIES: The Committee on the Rights of the Child released a new General Comment on children’s rights and the environment with a special focus on climate change. The first webinar - Explaining the new General Comment 26 - with Āniva Clarke and Noam Peleg was held on 21 September. WATCH HERE

VANUATU AND HUMAN RIGHTS - UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW (UPR): The second webinar in a new series for Vanuatu civil society engaging with the Vanuatu’s UPR in 2024 was held on 6 October. The substance of written submissions from CSOs was discussed with the submission deadline 11 October. A follow-up session on the next steps following submissions will be held end of October/early November.

2023 REGIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER EXCHANGE PROGRAM: 48 participants from nine countries gathered in Nepal from 3-7 September 2023. Topics discussed included the shared challenges around issues of land grabbing, and the denial of recognition of identity, cultures, and traditional knowledge. READ MORE

31st ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEOPLES' DIPLOMACY TRAINING PROGRAM: This program ran from 21 August-1 September in Timor-Leste. The 24 participants, from 10 countries, had sessions on the UN system and mechanisms, the rights of women, LGBTQI+, children and disability, video advocacy and had the chance to hear from activists working on the ground both in the region and in Timor-Leste. READ MORE

UDHR @ 75: DTP ASIAN ALUMNI WORKSHOP/TRAINING - 26-27 JUNE 2023: DTP’s first workshop with DTP alumni in Asia took place in Bangkok from 26-27 June, with 28 alumni from 10 countries and DTP partners, Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) and Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP). FORUM-ASIA was also well represented by its Chair (Jerald Joseph) and Executive Director (Aileen Balcaso), both DTP alumni. READ MORE

UDHR @ 75: DTP PACIFIC ALUMNI WORKSHOP/TRAINING - 8-9 JUNE 2023: DTP alumni from Fiji, Papua New Guinea/Bougainville, Solomon Islands and Tonga gathered in Nadi, Fiji to reflect on DTP’s contribution to human rights movements, discuss the current context and priority needs for human rights movements, and building DTP’s alumni networks. READ MORE

For information about our alumni, click here. If you want to get in contact with any of DTP's alumni, please contact the office at [email protected].

DTP acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work, the Bedegal people of the Eora Nation. We recognise their lands were never ceded, and we acknowledge their struggles for recognition and rights and pay our respects to the Elders – past, present – and the youth who are working towards a brighter tomorrow. This continent always was and always will be Aboriginal land.

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