Role Models Celebrated on Human Rights Day

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION--Role Models Celebrated on Human Rights Day

For more than 50 years, people the world over have marked the date that the United Nations proclaimed and adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Many of these people have never read the 30 articles that were drafted to describe the rights and freedoms that the United Nations adopted on Dec. 10, 1948 as "a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations."

Still, they continue to celebrate -- and learn to live -- its mission, thanks to people who teach and mentor them, people who inspire others to reach the standards for freedom, equality and an end to discrimination that the declaration outlines.

"I encourage all Nova Scotians to be role models for change in their work places, schools, places of worship and communities," said Carolyn Bolivar-Getson, acting Minister responsible for the Human Rights Act. "By doing that they will be promoting the values of harmony and inclusion."

On Wednesday, Dec. 10, Nova Scotians will gather in the McInnes Room at Dalhousie University to commemorate International Human Rights Day at an event co-sponsored by Partners Against Racism. The event will pay tribute to some of the Nova Scotians who best exemplify this year's theme -- Living Human Rights: (Role) Models for Change.

James Dewar, chair of the commission, sees the day as an opportunity to recognize achievements in equity and human rights. "It is a chance to honour those who have reflected the values of inclusion and respect in their organizational practice or through outreach to the broader community."

It is fitting that the celebration is being held at Dalhousie, where one such role model spent a good deal of her time. Sandra Toumishey, who died suddenly in May, was an administrative assistant in the university's employment equity office for more than 10 years. Those who knew her say Ms. Toumishey was an ambassador for change -- inspiring people to not just think about how to end all forms of discrimination but teaching by example how to live a life sensitive to others' well-being.

"Discrimination has a profoundly negative effect on all of us, whether we are its victim, the perpetrator or a bystander. Sandra knew that," said Mayann Francis, director and CEO of the commission and former employment equity officer at Dalhousie.

A memoriam will be held during the program to commemorate Ms. Toumishey's ability to lead by example.

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission also marks the day by granting Human Rights Awards to individuals and organizations throughout the province who have made an exemplary effort to promote, preserve and protect human rights.

This year's recipients, also living examples of the ideal, are Cedric Upshaw and Bob Fougere. Cedric Upshaw was a Halifax police officer for more than 20 years. He plays guitar and is lead vocalist in Blue Thunder, a rock band that works to keep young people on the straight and narrow. Bob Fougere is a member of the board of directors and co-ordinator of Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project, a group that strives to foster change so that people of all sexual orientations are valued and included.

"We all become a bit poorer socially and economically when racism and discrimination are allowed to impact on groups and individuals," said Ms. Francis. "Individual contributions such as these are vitally important to the health of our communities."