College of Arts & Sciences: Center for Interdisciplinary Studies

Webster University’s “Year of International Human Rights” began in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2008. Since then, the YIHR has expanded to include a wide range of programming that includes guest lectures, film series, art performances and exhibits, common reading programs, and more.

The 2011-2012 YIHR theme, refugee and migrant rights, was selected because 2011 marks the 60th anniversary of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, a treaty that formalizes the rights of individuals fleeing persecution. The 1951 Convention compliments the work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the principal agency responsible for finding durable solutions to the plight of the world’s refugees. Durable solutions include the assimilation of refugees within countries of first asylum or resettlement in third countries. The YIHR will also emphasize related migration issues and the needs of individuals in refugee-like situations, such as those who are internally displaced or are fleeing generalized violence, civil war, extreme poverty, or natural disaster.

Year of International Human Rights Events

Screening of the film "Persepolis" in coordination with the South Grand Community Improvement District (Co-sponsored with Residential Life). September 13, 7:30pm. See flier for more information.

Five Thursdays in September Film Festival:

September 1st Gran Torino (2008, Warner Bros.)
September 8th God Grew Tired of Us. (2006, New Market Films)
September 15th The Visitor (2007, Groundswell Productions)
September 22nd New Year Baby (2006, Broken English Productions)
September 29th District 9 (2009, TriStar Pictures)

Award-winning British journalist Jack Shenker: "Changing Realities in the Arab Spring: Migrants & a Voyage to Europe," 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, Moore Auditorium

Webster Works Worldwide (Oct. 5).

My Saint Louis Story: Immigrants & Refugees, Student Panel. Sunnen Lounge, November 17, noon.Part of the International Education Week. Co-sponsored with MCISA and CIE.

Jonathan Guzé, Attorney at Law, " Is the 'Golden Door' Still Open?: America's Reception of Refugees in the 21st Century", November 28. Emmerson Library Conferrnce Room. 12:30 pm.

UDHR/Human Rights Day (December 10). Celebration "Cake and Letters" in Sunnen Lounge on December 7th. 12:30-2:30. Co-sponsored by the Amnesty International Webster Group.

Feb 1st John Seeger from Population Connection to speak. Winnie Moore auditorium 7-9pm.

February 22nd Screening of "Climate Refugees" and "Sun Come Up." Winnie Moore auditorium 7-11pm.

Co-sponsored by the Environmental Studies Committee and YIHR.

March 20th "Preventing Genocide" 12:30-1:30 pm. Sunnen Lounge. Talk given by Kathy Lass, Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center, American Red Cross.

Co-Sponsored by the Intitute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies and the Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies

April 19-20th Institute for Human Rights & Humanitarian Studies Spring Conference, , University Center. Refugee & Migrant Rights.

*All dates and times are tenative, check back for updates or contact humanrights@webster.edu for more information.

Upcoming Events:

April 19-20 Annual Human Rights Conference: Refugee and Migrant Rights

Feb 1st John Seeger from Population Connection to speak. Winnie Moore auditorium 7-9pm.

Cake and Letters

Please join the Institute for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies Year of International Human Rights and Amnesty International Webster group in celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) birthday. Come enjoy birthday cake and write letters and sign petitions with Amnesty International!

When: December 7, 2011 from 12:30-2:30
Where: University Center’s Sunnen Lounge

Jonathan Guzé, Attorney at Law

Is the 'Golden Door' Still Open?: America's Reception of Refugees in the 21st Century

November 28, 12:30 pm

Emmerson Library Conference Room

Jonathan Guzé will share his personal experience and insights as a result of representing immigrants in Immigration Court and before the Bureau of Immigration Appeals. He has provided legal assistance to immigrants and the businesses which hire them on various matters arising out of the employment of aliens. Mr. Guzé has supplied professional legal advice on issues related to interactions between immigration and nationality matters and criminal, family, and estate matters. His experience includes interactions with the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of State's National Visa Office, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Employment Security Commission of North Carolina. He will help us understand the human rights of immigrants from the inside.

**This event is part of series of annual seminars dedicated to Mary T. Hall, a leader of the United Nations Association of St. Louis and other local civic organizations for many years. This 2011 Mary T. Hall Seminar has special significance because Mary celebrated her 100th birthday last February.

Student Panel "My St. Louis Story: Immigrants & Refugees"

Thursday, November 17th, Noon.

Sunnen Lounge

Webster students, alum, and Pat Joshu, Executive Director of Immigrant and Refugee Women's Program in Saint Louis, came together to discuss immigrant and refugee issues. Students and alum shared their stories of how they came to Saint Louis, and what life is like as a refugee or immigrant.

Photo by Max Bouvatte

Jack Shenker

Changing Realities in the Arab Spring: Migrants and a Voyage to Europe

Award winning journalist Jack Shenker visited Webster University in October.Shenker, who made headlines earlier this year with his coverage of the Egyptian revolution, spoke in Moore Auditorium at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 3, as part of the Year of International Human Rights 2011-12: Refugee & Migrant Rights.

Shenker spoke on Changing Realities in the Arab Spring: Migrants and a Voyage to Europe.

A correspondent for the U.K.’s Guardian newspaper as well as magazines and other newspapers, Shenker has reported from Egypt, the Indian subcontinent, central Asia, Sudan, and Gaza. His coverage of the revolution in Egypt won him the Amnesty International Gaby Rado Prize for excellence in human rights journalism.

In January 2011, Shenker was attacked on the streets of Cairo by government security forces. Along with demonstrators, he was beaten and driven to the desert in the back of a police truck. Shenker secretly recorded his experience on a dictaphone, and the audio that was eventually circulated around the world revealed the brutality of government forces and the desperation of demonstrators trying to crack a three-decade-old dictatorship. Over the next three weeks, Shenker’s reports on Egypt were awaited eagerly by the rest of the world. His coverage was named one of the Guardian’s 190 “most defining moments.”

Shenker now lives between London and Cairo as he continues to cover Egypt’s ongoing revolution. He also is working on other journalistic projects. Among them is an investigation of the experiences of migrants, which heightened awareness of the plight of those seeking political asylum and a better life in Europe.

Shenker was co-sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences, the Multicultural Center/International Student Affairs, the School of Communications, and the Year of International Human Rights 2011-12: Refugee & Migrant Rights.

Click here to listen to Jack’s interview with Don Marsh, St. Louis on the Air.

Jack’s talk at Webster was also featured in the Saint Louis Beacon.

Jack Shenker and members of Larry Baden's journalism class