Reaffirming Human Rights for All: The Universal Declaration at 60
UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France
Rockford, Illinois. At the request of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), IFFAMPAC representatives from the United States and Africa attended and made a presentation at the United Nations 61st Annual DPI/NGO Conference in Paris, France at UNESCO Headquarters from September 3rd to September 5th, entitled, “Reaffirming Human Rights for All: The Universal Declaration at 60”.
On September 5th IFFAMPAC held a workshop entitled, “Families of The Missing: Rights, Responsibilities, and the Truth”. The workshop included speeches from IFFAMPAC’s Africa representative, Evans Lombe; co-sponsor Society of Lebanon the Giver, Princess Mada Arslan; and IFFAMPAC Operations Manager Michelle Teasdale. IFFAMPAC’s President and Founder, Jane E. Durgom-Powers served as the workshop moderator.
Each presentation focused on economic, social, and legal issues confronting post conflict surviving families of missing persons globally, with specific attention to Africa, Lebanon, and Kosovo. The workshop was attended by several international NGO’s who were interested in learning more about the importance of families of missing persons from armed conflicts, and the heartbreaking stories of their daily struggles to survive and stay together as a family.
IFFAMPAC was honored to have Mr. Willy Chikwemba, Director of African Agency of Humanitarian Aid (AAHA) who traveled to the conference from Lusaka, Zambia, to attend on IFFAMPAC’s behalf. Other sponsors of the workshop included Widows for Peace through Democracy (WPD), Society of Lebanon the Giver, Spanish Society for International Human Rights Law, and Vision of Hope.
The significance and importance of the United Nations Department of Public Information affording this opportunity for IFFAMPAC to speak on behalf of the families of missing persons from armed conflicts demonstrates the growing international awareness and concerns of the consequences of ignoring these issues to sustain lasting regional peace. The event was attended by more than 2,000 international NGO representatives and other civil society partners.