The Atlantic Human Rights Centre

Transcription

1 The Atlantic Human Rights Centre St. Thomas University June 2010 Responsibility to Protect Conference Linkoping, Sweden June 8-12, 2010 Report

2 Summary Page 3 Organizational Approach of Conference Page 3 Maximizing the AHRC s Conference Participation... Page 3 Network Development Page 4 Possible Collaborative Projects... Page 5 Overall Assessment Page 5 Conference Expenses...Page 6 2

3 Summary: The 2010 Responsibility to Protect Conference, organized by the European Science Foundation and chaired by Andre Nollkaemper, Amsterdam Center for International Law, University of Amsterdam, NL, was held in Linkoping, Sweden from June 8 th 12 th, In March 2010, Marc Gionet, as Project Manager and Researcher for the Atlantic Human Rights Centre, submitted an abstract to present a short talk during the conference entitled Canada s Role in the Conceptual Impetus of R2P and Current Contributions. In April, notice was received of the abstract s acceptance as well as the provision of a grant for attendance. Permission was sought and approved from the AHRC Chair, Dr. Patrick Malcolmson, for Mr. Gionet to attend and present at the conference on behalf of the AHRC. Organizational Approach of Conference: The conference was segregated into four themes: general aspects of R2P, responsibilities of the territorial state, responsibilities of other states, and timely and decisive responses. Within each theme presentations were given by a keynote speaker, a panel, short talk presenters and research poster presenters. These four groups were represented by academics from predominately an international law background as well as political scientists, former and current United Nations bureaucrats, and non-governmental organizations. Whether by design or coincidence, conference attendees were divided in terms of experience. Keynote speakers and panel members represented a group of seasoned practitioners and academics while short talk and poster presenters represented Phd students and emerging researchers. This intergenerational dimension provided an interesting element in terms of new innovative ideas being thoroughly vetted by both peers and those with substantial expertise. Maximizing the AHRC s Conference Participation: In order to promote the AHRC s participation to a wider audience, collaborative efforts were undertaken with Rabble.ca, an independent news and opinion website which houses Dignitas the AHRC s human rights blog. Arrangements for Mr. Gionet to blog the conference proceedings as well as offer content analysis were advertised on the Rabble.ca website as well as partner sites. Mr. Gionet subsequently authored four featured stories which were promoted on Rabble.ca s front page for between one and two days each resulting in six days of front page advertisement for the AHRC. In an effort to promote the AHRC s engagements with Rabble.ca and the R2P conference, St. Thomas University communications director Jeffrey Carleton designed a banner for the STU homepage as well as a write up which was posted on the St. Thomas University website and also contained a link to the spring publication of Dignitas, the AHRC newsletter. Mr. Carleton also circulated a media release to local and provincial news outlets. The Telegraph Journal was approached to cover the story, but did not follow through with an interview. CBC Radio contacted Mr. Gionet upon his return inquiring about the conference, but has yet to follow up with an interview. As mentioned, within the conference Mr. Gionet presented a short talk entitled Canada s Role in the Conceptual Impetus of R2P and Current Contributions. This topic was chosen because of its relevance within Canadian human rights discourse and the opportunity which it offered to illustrate the Centre s competence in critiquing Canadian human rights policy. The presentation proved effective in demonstrating the potential impact a middle power can have on shaping international law normative developments. It also generated conversation amongst participants regarding Canada s current foreign policy priorities and relevance of human rights. 3

4 Network Development: The varied backgrounds of conference participants offered a unique opportunity for networking. As such, perspective relationships were approach with the following objectives in mind: building institutional relationships, building individual relationships, and prospecting possible future guest speakers for annual lectures. In regards to institutional relationships, the following contacts were made: Sapna Chhatpar Considine, Deputy Director International Coalition for the Responsibility to Protect Jonas Claes, Program Assistant United States Institute of Peace Noel M. Morada, Executive Director Asia Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect Edward C. Luck, Senior Vice President for Research and Programs International Peace Institute Sarah B. Sewall, Professor Carr Center for Human Rights Harvard University Monica Serrano, Executive Director Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect Ibrahim Raslan, Managing Editor Human Rights & Human Welfare Journal, University of Denver In regards to individual relationships, the following contacts were made: Anthony Agyenta, Director Civil Affairs Division, UN Mission in Sudan Angeline Momekam, Civil Affairs Officer Civil Affairs Division, UN Mission in Sudan Fiana Gantheret, Legal Officer International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia Edward C. Luck Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the UN on R2P Ebenezer Appreku, Ambassador Ghana Permanent Mission to the UN Daniel Goldhagan, Professor The Center for European Studies, Harvard University In regards to prospected future guest speakers, the following individuals showed suitability: Edward C. Luck Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the UN on R2P Daniel Goldhagan, Professor The Center for European Studies, Harvard University Angeline Momekam, Civil Affairs Officer Civil Affairs Division, UN Mission in Sudan 4

5 Possible Collaborative Projects: Of particular interest to the AHRC was the presentation on Mass Atrocity Response Operations, or MAROs, delivered by Sarah Sewall from the Harvard University Carr Center for Human Rights. Sewall led a project which developed a military planning handbook in conjunction with the US Army Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute addressing key operational issues of MAROs. The AHRC has a history of offering expertise on humanitarian law, such as the 2002 joint publication with the Dalhousie University Centre for Foreign Policy Studies which also involved David Charters from the University of New Brunswick s Gregg Centre. Noted as the primary objective of the MAROs project, efforts are being made to integrate the concept into US military doctrine. The same should be made as a priority for Canadian military doctrine. It is with this objective in mind the AHRC could play a key facilitating role in importing the framework of the MAROs project by utilizing relationships with the Gregg Centre, CFB Gagetown and the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre. Preliminary discussions were held with Sewall during the Conference and a genuine interest in pursuing a collaborative relationship was expressed. In conversation with Ibrahim Raslan, managing editor of the Human Rights and Human Welfare Online Journal house at the University of Denver, the AHRC has been invited to participate in a monthly roundtable which discusses pertinent human security issues. Therefore, the Centre has agreed to a three month commitment to provide monthly commentary as part of a panel. In regards to possible guest speakers for one of the human rights lecture series, Daniel Goldhagan has been approached for the Lodhi Lecture to be held in mid March 2011 and the Centre is currently negotiating with his speaking agent. Overall Assessment: The overriding objective of conference attendance and participation was threefold: 1) Illustrate AHRC expertise in human rights issues relevant to Canada and the international community 2) Generate exposure and raise the Centre s profile on the local and international levels 3) Foster opportunities for collaborative relationship building and networking Judging this endeavor s success by the aforementioned criterion, the Centre accomplished its goals to a satisfactory degree. The Centre s involvement in conferences and other multi-stakeholder engagements is necessitated by the very nature of the AHRC s mandate. Participation in the R2P Conference offered opportunity to collaborate, network, engage the academic community, and self promote Centre initiatives. Because of the Centre s finite resources, scrupulous selectivity in spending is necessary in order to ensure the most favorable return of investments. Through this lens, the R2P Conference was a sound investment because of the subject s topical and emerging nature. Exposure to the most current debates has placed the AHRC at the forefront of normative development which will be shaping international policy over the next few years. R2P is a concept the Centre can feel comfortable articulating which will ensure a relevant voice in human rights discussions relating to Canada and the international community. 5

6 Conference Expenses: Flight $1, Expenses $ Conference Fee Hotel during conference Total: $2, } Covered by ESF grant The majority of conference expenses were generated by transportation. This included flights in and out of Stockholm, but also trains to and from Stockholm and Linkoping where the conference was held. Beyond this, $348 was spent on hotels which were necessary following the end of the conference. The AHRC did receive financial assistance through the acquisition of a European Science Foundation grant which covered the conference fee and accommodations during the conference. Without this grant, the AHRC s participation would not have been justified from a financial perspective. 6