News Conference Advisory - A Canadian first! Key national organizations set to launch major human rights initiative in Canadian schools

OTTAWA, Dec. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - For the first time, a partnership involving national organizations representing teachers, Indigenous peoples and champions for human rights will join forces to launch a major initiative that will play out in Canadian schools from coast to coast to coast.

Leaders of the Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF), the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) and the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights will hold a joint news conference on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, to unveil a major educational initiative that will promote human rights education and activities at the K-12 levels.

Here are the details of the event:

When:	Monday, Dec. 10
Time:	1-2 p.m.
Where:	Château Laurier, Laurier Room (Ottawa)
Who:	(in alphabetical order)
	Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, National Chief, AFN
	Terry Audla, President, ITK
	John Heffernan, Director of Speak Truth to Power, Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
	Stuart A. Murray, President and Chief Executive Officer, CMHR
	Paul Taillefer, CTF President
	Marsha Forbes, teacher and moderator

The launch will be broadcast live via Ustream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/imagineaction

Following the brief news conference, leaders will join local students for a cake celebration and then take part in a one-hour round table discussion to ignite partnership discussions on the importance of promoting human rights education in Canada. MPs and Senators will also be in attendance.

Dec. 10 is celebrated around the world as International Human Rights' Day. This year's United Nations' theme "My Voice Counts" places the spotlight on the rights of all people — women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, the poor and marginalized — to make their voices heard in public life and to be included in political decision-making.

SOURCE: Canadian Teachers' Federation

Media contact:  Francine Filion, Director of Communications, CTF, 613-688-4314 or cell 613-899-4247