t is becoming increasingly clear that the traditional realpolitik approach to international relations that views security in purely military terms is insufficient to achieve viable security. Viable security can be attained only when respect for human rights, eradication of poverty and deadly diseases, protection of the environment and promotion of sustainable development are simultaneously achieved.

The intimate inter-connection between human rights and human security is emphasized in both the UN Millennium Development Declaration adopted in 2000 by world leaders and the UN Secretary-General’s proposal for reform of the United Nations, In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security and Human Rights (2005). The UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, captures the symbiotic relationship between human rights and human security po ignantly when in his proposal he states: “Accordingly, we will not enjoy development without security, we will not enjoy security without development, and we will not enjoy either without respect for human
rights. Unless all these causes are advanced, none will succeed.”

The triple principal objectives of the 6 th Annual UNESCO Chair in Comparative Human Rights Conference are, (1) to examine the concept of human security, as complementary to the traditional notion of security advanced by proponents of realpolitik; (2) to raise awareness about the various issues that are integral to human security; and, (3) to contribute to a balanced understanding and appreciation of a more integrated human security within the framework of human rights. To achieve these objectives, speakers will direct a searchl ight on the issues identified and emphasized by the Millennium Development Declaration and by the UN Secretary-General, as constituting human security. Speakers will identify, describe, and provide diagnosis and possible practical solutions within ethical frameworks, to the problems and issues that either hinder or foster human rights and human security in their field or region of competence. Topics will include food and water (in) security, poverty, diseases, illiteracy, civil violence, organized crime, terrorism, repression, the rule of law, governance, cultures, environment, xenophobia, racial and gender chauvinism, and sustainable development.

For further information about the conference, please contact unescochair@uconn.edu; telephone: (860) 486-0647;
fax: (860) 486-2545.

Schedule of Events

Monday, October 24, 2005
(UN Day) William Benton Museum of Art)

11:00 am
Official Opening Ceremony of Amazwi Abesifazane: Voices of Women Exhibit by Ms. Baleka Mbete, Speaker of the South African National Assembly

1:00 – 3:00 pm
Tours available

3:30–5:30 pm
Book Signing by Mr. Ahmed Kathrada, former anti-apartheid political prisoner and counselor to President Nelson Mandela of South Africa. more>>

Reception - Amazwi Abesifazane: Voices of Women featuring:

Mr. Andries Johannes Botha, Chairman and Founder Create Africa South, Ms. Khoboso Nthunya, Artist and Ms. Janine Zagel, Executive Officer Create Africa South

Tuesday, October 25, 2005 – 6 th Annual Comparative Human Rights Conference, Rome Commons Ballroom

9:00 am
Preliminaries (Session for Young Leaders)

9:30 am
Conference begins:
Opening Human Rights Video

9:35 am
Welcome by:
Prof. Omara-Otunnu, UNESCO Chair in Comparative Human Rights

9:40 am
Remarks by:
President Philip Austin, University of Connecticut

9:45 am
Keynote Address by:
Dr. Vandana Shiva, Physicist, Ecologist, Human Rights Activist
and Author, India

10:15 am
Q & A

10:30 am
Break

10:40 am
Remarks by:
Mr. Salvatore Scalora

10:45 am
Session on Poverty

Dr. Yeraswork Admassie, Professor of Sociology, Ethiopia

Dr. Yakın Ertürk, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Turkey

Dr. Govind Kelkar, UN Fund for Women, Asia

Moderator: Dr. Shyamala Raman, Professor of Economics and International Studies, Saint Joseph College

12:30 pm
Break

12:30 pm
Young Leaders Luncheon (Student Union Room 304)

Guest Speakers:
Create Africa South Project Director Andries Botha and
Artist Khoboso Nthunya

1:30 pm
Tours available at the Benton Museum of Art for School Groups of the exhibit Amazwi Abesifazane: Voices of Women (please call 860.486.1710 to make arrangements)

1:45–3:30 pm
Concurrent Workshops (Rome Commons Ballroom)

Session on Health

Dr. Laurel Baldwin-Ragaven, Henry R. Luce Professor of Health and Human Rights, Trinity College

Dr. Roberto Brant, Head of the Civil Society and Human Rights Unit of the National STD/Aids Program, Brazil

Dr. Roland Msiska, Director of the UNDP Regional Project on AIDS, South Africa

Moderator: Dr.Rafael Perez-Escamilla, Professor of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut

Session on Education

Dr. Gothom Arya, Research Center for Peace Building, Thailand

Dr. C. C. Mokadi, Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Johannesburg, South Africa

Dr. Naeem Mushtaq, Islamabad Club, Pakistan

Ms. Afi Yakubu, Foundation for Security Development in Africa, Ghana

Moderator: Dr.Bandana Purkayastha, Professor of Sociology, University of Connecticut

3:30 pm
Concluding Address:
Dr. Ibrahim Wani, Regional Representative, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

4:00 pm
Special Guest and Book Signing:
Mr. Ahmed Kathrada will be available to sign his autobiography “Memoirs”. more>>

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