World's human rights workers unite to face challenges. Barcelona Forum 2004 by Bertrand Ramcharan 11:19am 24th Apr, 2004   13 May 2004    Although oppressive governments sometimes defend one another, the "human rights idea" has spread around the world through intergovernmental groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and educational institutions, the United Nations' Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights said.    Bertrand Ramcharan was addressing the "Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona 2004" yesterday on the question "Agents in the global agenda: can they work together?"    "My answer to this question from the human rights perspective is that human rights actors are indeed working together across the globe for a common cause, namely, the universal realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms," he said.    When the UN General Assembly approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, it called on every individual and all organs of society to teach and to learn with a view to achieving the universal observance of the Declaration's precepts, Mr. Ramcharan said.    The call has led to the development of a worldwide human rights movement working together for the promotion and protection of human rights, he said.    The record of human rights enforcement across the world was uneven, however."Unfortunately, gross violations are rampant across the world - and oppressive governments sometimes band together to defend one another. This is a distressing phenomenon. The international human rights movement, however, is not daunted by this. Rather, it gathers strength by working together to stand up and expose these tyrannical regimes," he said.    Forum Barcelona was hosting 5,400 children today. It launched its dozens of "dialogues" on Tuesday with King Juan Carlos of Spain speaking on "The Role of Europe in the World." Other subjects to be investigated from May to September include globalization, sustainable development, cultural diversity, spirituality, freedom and peace.    Among the speakers scheduled to appear at the 141-day Forum are Mikhail Gorbachev, participating in the Dialogues on Water, and such members of the Parliament of World Religions as the Dalai Lama, Iranian Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi, Swiss theologian Hans Küng and South African Member of Parliament and winner of the Community of Christ International Peace Award Ela Gandhi.    April 22, 2004    Barcelona Forum 2004 by Darci Andresen    ..The Universal Forum of Cultures, Barcelona 2004 is a joint project of the Spanish government, the Catalan Autonomous Government, the Barcelona City Council and the United Nations for Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO). The goal of the Forum is nothing short of involving global citizenry in helping to create a more peaceful, sustainable and inclusive future. Organizers call it "the realization of a global dream, a visionary event guiding humankind for the new millennium; a gathering of people from societies to spontaneously and freely participate in creating a better planet."    The Forum will span 141 days. It is structured around 10 different overarching themes, including Cultural Diversity and the Media; Freedom, Security and Peace; Globalization and Development; and Unheard Voices: Women, Youth, Intergenerational and Intercultural Communication. Expounding on the themes are 45 different conferences, or Dialogues, which features round tables, workshops and face-to-face debates designed to encourage a free-flowing exchange of ideas.    The Dialogues will be a major emphasis of the Forum, and every effort is being made to ensure the participation of you and I and people just like us, from India and Cuba to Italy and Kazakhstan. In addition to the face-to-face dialogues, those not able to attend in person can participate virtually via Forum Media (the Forum TV Channel) and via online discussion programs for debate, surveys, and questions.    "The idea is to help citizens peel off their indifference," Sarsanedas told the New York Times. "The hope is that people who participate will know that they are not alone in the world."    Communication across boundaries and cultures is paramount, and the idea of communication is being expanded beyond the realm of the written and spoken word. Large portions of the gathering are dedicated to cultural expressions that go beyond the standard menu of dance, theater, music and poetry to include games, puppetry, circuses, street theater and cabaret. The Forum's philosophy is that playing, laughing, dancing and singing together may perhaps ally people of different cultures and languages more strongly than conversations or written documents.    The Forum will also include a Peace Camp that teaches children from 18 different countries about peace and sustainability issues; 423 concerts (including appearances by Sting, Norah Jones and Bob Dylan); a mini auditorium bus that travels around the region to educate citizens on issues presented at the Forum; shops selling sustainably produced and traded products; and five major art exhibits. Not to mention the construction of two new ecologically sound conference halls, two recreation parks and an island accessible only to swimmers called Pangea Island.    So what comes after these five months of intensive sharing, debating, analyzing and proposing?    "The goal is to mobilize a global community of like-minded citizens," answers the unabashedly optimistic David Rippe, who, along with partner Bill Gladstone, is handling North American publicity for the Forum. "Concrete plans for collective action will emerge and plans are already underway for future Forums, but the emphasis here is on individual connections. Ultimately, individual relationships are stronger than strategic plans or formal treaties because they create a global understanding that is personal and therefore powerful and lasting. By igniting compassion between people, we realize that we can individually and collectively make a difference and together build a path to overcoming global crises."    In short, what comes after these five months is the globalization of humanity. It's a radical, fantastic and beautifully simple concept – we make a difference by understanding each other personally. The Forum is revolutionary because the focus isn't power, it's humanity. And the world sure could use a good dose of that.    (Darci Andresen is the Associate Publisher of AlterNet). Visit the related web page
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