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 link to a speech by Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, “75 years on: The Pathway to Solutions through Human Rights”. In it the High Commissioner argues that in these times of crisis human rights are the ultimate tool of prevention. READ THE SPEECH.

This issue we profile an alumna from DTP’s very first program in 1990. Anelyn de Luna has devoted her life to building solidarity for human rights, and is now active working for children's rights. We share news from alumni, the region and the UN.

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. DRAFT REPORT AVAILABLE HERE

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. DRAFT REPORT AVAILABLE HERE

DTP ALUMNI - NETWORKING SURVEY: DTP surveyed its alumni from 1990–2023 on networking. A big thanks to the 250 plus alumni who responded. READ THE REPORT

ASIA DEMOCRACY NETWORK'S ASIA DEMOCRACY ASSEMBLY 2023: 20-22 November, Bangkok.  DTP’s partner AIPP will lead a special session in Indigenous Peoples and Democracy. DTP will be represented – please contact us if you are going and hope to see you there. READ THE PROGRAM

DTP CHILD RIGHTS AND THE NEW GENERAL COMMENT 26 WEBINAR SERIES: Next Webinar 28 November.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 The next webinar with the Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child will be on 28 November. More information to follow.

VANUATU AND HUMAN RIGHTS - UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW (UPR): DTP facilitated two webinars for Vanuatu civil society engaging with Vanuatu’s UPR in 2024. CSO submissions have now been made.

AIPP-DTP 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

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

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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