We are continuing with a series of contributions on the anniversaries of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this issue we publish a contribution by DTP Advisory Board member Justice The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG. Justice Kirby has served in various UN roles and has been an effective human rights advocate throughout his life. In this piece, “Three Heroes of the UDHR @75” he reflects on the foundational role of Eleanor Roosevelt, John Humphrey, and H.V Evatt in the adoption of the Declaration. READ MORE

DTP has learnt of the death of Virginia Dandan. Virginia, a former Chair of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, participated in many DTP programs as a trainer. On behalf of DTP and its alumni, we would like to pass on our condolences to her friends and family. READ MORE

DTP would like to congratulate Aniva Clarke, who spoke so eloquently at our recent webinar on the CRC General Comment 26, for her appointment as UNICEF Pacific’s Youth Advocate.

In this issue we profile alumna Renuga Inpakumar, share news from the Asia Democracy Assembly, alumni, partners and from the UN and the region.

DTP CHILD RIGHTS AND THE NEW GENERAL COMMENT 26 WEBINAR SERIES: Next webinar - Children's Rights and Climate Change: The Obligations of Governments, tomorrow 28 November at 5pm AEDT. Speakers include Ann Skelton, Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child and Annika Reynolds, Senior Co-Chair of Environment and Human Rights, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights. REGISTER HERE

MASTERCLASS WITH JOSHUA COOPER - 16 NOVEMBER: Jubilee and DTP staff and volunteers participated in a masterclass on how to use the UN for advocacy for human rights and climate advocacy. 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 Thanks to alumnus Rafeek Ravuther for documenting the event. WATCH THE VIDEO 

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

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

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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