Policy and Rights

Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, briefed Security Council membersBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini today (13 Nov) said the objective of the campaign to delegitimize the agency “is to strip the Palestinian from the refugee statue,” and “to undermine and to bury once for all the two-state solution.”Talking to journalists in New York after briefing the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, Lazzarini said, “we are experiencing the darkest moment for the agency in 75 years,” stressing that UNRWA staff, premises, and operation, have been under “attack.”He said, “in addition of that, there have been intense and aggressive campaign of disinformation reaching out of a donor capital to delegitimize the agency. And the latest development has been the adoption of the Knesset bill.”Lazzarini said, “UNRWA is a casualty of this war. Let's do no mistake. The intention to undermine the agency are politically motivated. They have nothing to do with breaches of neutrality.”He said, “if you get rid of an agency like ours, what will happen once we have a cease fire? What will bring back the hundreds of thousands of girls and boys currently living into rubble, into a learning environment? Only a functioning state can provide this education. I know that when it comes to primary health, the same questions are being asked.”The Commissioner-General vowed that UNRWA will continue operating “until the day we cannot operate anymore.”He said, “our determination is not to give in to our mandate to deliver services, and we will deliver such services until we are forced to stop these services. When will it be? I hope never. Now, what will happen after the 90 days, I do not have a straight answer. I think very few of us know. If we have a no contact policy in a place like Gaza, that means we will not be able to deconflict or coordinate any of our movement. So, it will make our operation extraordinarily challenging.”Asked about the right of return of Palestinian Refugees, Lazzarini said it is “a political right which needs to be addressed in a political solution. So UNRWA as an agency has absolutely nothing to do with this question.”On 28 October, Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, voted in favour of legislation targeting UNRWA, which could effectively bring its operations in the occupied Palestinian territories to a halt.243 staff have been killed so far in Gaza since the beginning of the war. Palestinian Ambassador, Riyad Mansour, Israeli Ambassador, Danny Danon, and Lebanese Ambassador, delivered speeches at UNSC Moot. UN Security Council members urged increased humanitarian aid for Gaza, as the death toll surpasses 43,000 and displacement reaches catastrophic levels.MPs speak with reporters on Parliament Hill as they convene for the daily question period in the House of Commons. Minister Karina Gould (government House leader) comments on the ongoing debate over a Conservative privilege motion that continues to stall work in the House of Commons. Now nearing its two month mark, the debate stems from a House order concerning the production of government documents related to the now-defunct Sustainable Development Technology Canada. NDP MPs Blake Desjarlais, Leah Gazan, Minister Steve MacKinnon (labour) and Liberal MP Yvan Baker face questions on calls for Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault to resign over Boissonnault’s shifting claims regarding his family’s Indigenous ancestry.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Online forum on the War and occupation of Lebanon on remembrance day to end wars on these traditional, occupied, ancestral, and unceded national homelands of the Coast Salish peoples – specifically the sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations.Moderator:Imtiaz Popat: Activist, journalist, filmmaker, founder of Coalition Against Bigotry-Pacific.Guests:Ghinwa Yassine: Labanese Canadian anti-disciplinary artist, based on the unceded Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-waututh people.Her work includes film, installation, performance, sound, text, and sculpture, text, and is concerned with the body as a site where personal and collective memory manifest.Hadani Ditmars: Lebanese Canadian author, journalist, and photographer Hadani Ditmars has reported from Lebanon, Israel/Palestine, and Iraq, often examining the human costs of sectarian strife as well as cultural resistance to war, occupation and embargo.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Occupied Palestinian Territory In Gaza city the UN along with our partners, are providing services to tens of thousands of people, including those displaced over the past four weeks from besieged North Gaza. Yesterday, one of the UN’s local partners was able to collect solid waste that has piled up along Tareq Bin Zeyad street. In multiple locations, partners are providing mental health and psychosocial support sessions, including for people newly displaced from North Gaza Governorate. However, what the humanitarian community is able to deliver falls far short of the massive needs in Gaza. Once again, OCHA calls for rapid, unimpeded humanitarian relief into and across the Strip. International humanitarian law demands that civilians have access to the essentials they need to survive: food, shelter, medical care and other critical assistance. Humanitarian also stress that civilians in the north and across Gaza must be protected. And turning to the West Bank, OCHA reports that multiple operations by Israeli forces in the north this week included air strikes and other lethal war-like tactics, which appear to exceed law enforcement standards. According to initial information, eight Palestinians were killed and four others injured during Tuesday’s operations in Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarm. Meanwhile, OCHA says that from 29 October to 4 November, Israeli settlers carried out 35 attacks against Palestinians that caused casualties or property damage, including to olive trees that were vandalized. Since 1 October, OCHA has documented 177 settler incidents directly related to the olive harvest in 73 communities across the West Bank, most of which caused casualties or property damage. Operations by Israeli forces and movement restrictions have made access to health care across the West Bank increasingly challenging since October of last year, particularly in refugee camps and Area C. The UN and its partners, are responding by scaling up support to communities, including by providing more than 36,000 primary health-care consultations across refugee camps and through mobile health clinics in Area C last month. The UN Population Fund is also supporting mobile health teams, but funding shortfalls are a growing problem. UNFPA warns that without renewed funding, 96 Palestinians communities could lose out on these important services next year. Gaza/IPC reportAccording to an alert issued by the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee, there is a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip.The alert further underscored that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is extremely grave and rapidly deteriorating, as we have just detailed. Immediate action, within days not weeks, is required from all actors who are directly taking part in the conflict, or who have influence on its conduct, to avert and alleviate this catastrophic situation.So, this is what I have on this, the full report is now online and available and includes of course a lot more details.Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon...Chrystia Freeland, the deputy prime minister and minister of finance, speaks with reporters on Parliament Hill after chairing the first meeting of the revived Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations. She is joined by Mélanie Joly, the minister of foreign affairs. The Prime Minister’s Office announced it would re-establish the committee in the wake of Donald Trump securing a second term as president of the United States.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

MPs speak with reporters on Parliament Hill as they convene for the daily question period in the House of Commons. Ministers Steven Guilbeault (environment), Marci Ien (women and gender equality) and Sean Fraser (housing) as well as Liberal MPs Rob Oliphant, Ben Carr, Adam van Koeverden, Salma Zahid, Sean Casey, Chris Bittle and Yvan Baker comment on the election of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States and the impact it may have on Canada-U.S. relationsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Vice President Kamala Harris said her heart is "full of resolve" after losing the presidential election to former President Donald Trump."My heart is full today -- full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country, and full of resolve," Harris said Wednesday at her alma mater, Howard University, in Washington, D.C."The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for. But ... the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up," Harris said.#kamalaharris #politics #news #fypage #fyp #election2024 #election FOX 9 is your source for breaking news, live events, investigations, politics, entertainment, business news and local stories from Minneapolis-St. Paul, the greater Twin Cities metro, Greater Minnesota, western Wisconsin and across the nation. FOX 9 is the Official Home of the Minnesota Vikings and proud partner of University of Minnesota Golden Gophers AthleticsMedia Stakeout by Danny Danon, Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations, accompanied by guest Mia Schem, on the situation in the Middle East ahead of the informal meeting of the General Assembly.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Torture & Inhuman Treatment - Special Rapporteur | Press Conference | United NationsHybrid briefing by Alice Jill Edwards, Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.Sudan & South Sudan - UN Chief's Briefing | United Nations"Madam President, Excellencies,I thank the Council for the opportunity to discuss the utter humanitarian catastrophe engulfing Sudan.Eighteen months have passed since brutal fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.The suffering is growing by the day, with almost 25 million people now requiring assistance.The people of Sudan are living through a nightmare of violence — with thousands of civilians killed, and countless others facing unspeakable atrocities, including widespread rape and sexual assaults.In recent days, we have heard shocking reports of mass killings and sexual violence in villages in Aj Jazirah State in the east of the country.Gaza: time is slipping away as has turned the strip into abyss - Briefing | United NationsBriefing the Security Council, the United Nations Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag today (16 Sep) called for an immediate ceasefire and unconditional release of all hostages as well as unrestricted humanitarian access. She said, “time is slipping away as a man-made humanitarian crisis has turned Gaza into the abyss.”Kaag said “the continued lack of effective protection for civilians in Gaza is unconscionable” and stressed that “the infrastructure that civilians rely on must be protected and their essential needs met.”The humanitarian official said, “the outbreak of polio is also a stark reminder of the desolate conditions of life in the Gaza Strip. Given the ongoing hostilities, the lack of a proper enabling environment, effective deconfliction, and timely implementation of commitments made, the UN and partners remain constrained in their ability to address this catastrophic situation.”Francesca Albanese : "Gaza is now a wasteland of rubble, garbage and human remains"Francesca Albanese, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, presented her latest report to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 30 October 2024.The Special Rapporteur is part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Comprising the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, Special Procedures is the general name of the Council's independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.The Human Rights Council is a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon speech & UN Security Council meeting on the Middle EastIsraeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, addresses reporters ahead of the critical Security Council meeting on the Middle East, focusing on the Palestinian issue. Watch as Danon outlines Israel’s stance and key topics expected to be discussed in this high-stakes session. Stay tuned for the Security Council meeting that follows, covering the region.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Episode description not available.

Violence against Women and Girls - Press conference by Special rapporteurSpecial Rapporteur on violence against women and girls Reem Alsalem said, “Violence against women and girls in sport is a serious, systemic and systematic human rights issue that demands immediate attention at all levels.”Addressing reporters today (8 Oct) on Violence against Women and Girls in sport, Alsalem explored the forms, causes and consequences of violence against women and girls in sports, including sexual violence, coercion, gender pay gap, gender stereotypes, patriarchal structures, abusive coaches, and the general absence of robust policies and mechanisms to address abuses and protect victims.She said, “Women and girls in sport face multiple forms of violence - and I outlined them in the report - economic forms of violence, physical, psychological, coercive control, online violence and also for children, girls, they face neglect, particularly in some sports such as gymnastics.”She also said, “The report also describes the most common perpetrators of violence and their accomplices, which include state and non-state actors. So, I speak about coaches, professional colleagues, family members, managers, spectators, policy makers. And I assert within that conversation that states can also be considered complicit when they fail to prevent, prosecute and sanction acts of violence against women and girls in sport.”She continued, “Their ability to play sports in condition of safety, dignity and fairness has been further eroded by the intrusion of males who identify as female in female only sports categories and spaces.”She concluded, “Impunity fosters the culture of silence and injustice, and that is brought about in part by the autonomous regulatory frameworks of sports organizations that we have, which non sufficiently incorporated human rights lens or framework in the work, and they tend to prioritize reputation and winning over justice and accountability to victims.”The Special Rapporteurs of the Human Rights Council are independent human rights experts with mandates to report and advise on human rights from a thematic or country-specific perspective.Liberals on Poilievre’s stance on Iran, Conservative privilege motionMinisters and Liberal MPs speak with reporters on Parliament Hill as the federal party holds its weekly caucus meeting. Ministers Mélanie Joly (foreign affairs), Rob Oliphant (parliamentary secretary to foreign affairs minister) as well as MPs Fayçal El-Khoury and Ben Carr comment on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s support for a pre-emptive Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.Joly, Oliphant and El-Khoury also face questions on the federal government’s efforts to evacuate Canadian citizens from Lebanon. Additionally, Joly urges Canadians in Florida to follow the evacuation orders of U.S. authorities as Hurricane Milton approaches the state’s coast.Karina Gould (government House leader), François-Philippe Champagne (innovation), Jean-Yves Duclos (public services) and El-Khoury comment on negotiations with the Bloc Québécois to reach an agreement to ensure the survival of the minority Liberal government.Gould, Champagne, Duclos and Francis Drouin also discuss the Conservative privilege motion on obtaining government documents pertaining to Sustainable Development Technology Canada.Champagne, Duclos also comment on the Senate’s study of Bill C-282, the Bloc Québécois private member’s bill on supply management. The Bloc has made support of the government contingent upon the passage of this bill.Pascale St-Onge (heritage), Randy Boissonnault (employment), Marc Miller (immigration), Steven Guilbeault (environment), Sean Casey, Yvan Baker, Anthony Housefather and Carr also respond to questions on topics ranging from changes to the CBC’s mandate, the government’s response to Jasper wildfire recovery effort and the rise in antisemitism.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Middle East situation: UN Chief's Media Stakeout Secretary-General António Guterres today (8 Oct) told journalists the United Nations Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) “more than ever is indispensable” and “irreplaceable” and said he had “written directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express profound concern about draft legislation that could prevent UNRWA from continuing its essential work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”Such a measure, the Secretary-General said, “would suffocate efforts to ease human suffering and tensions in Gaza, and indeed, the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory,” and would be a “catastrophe in what is already an unmitigated disaster.”Guterres said the legislation “would likely deal a terrible blow to the international humanitarian response in Gaza,” and “would effectively end coordination to protect UN convoys, offices and shelters serving hundreds of thousands of people.” Gaza’s 660,000 children, he said, “would lose the only entity that is able to re-start education, risking the fate of an entire generation.”If approved, Guterres stressed, “such legislation would be diametrically opposed to the UN Charter and in violation of Israel’s obligations under international law.”The Secretary-General said in Gaza’s north, “we are witnessing a clear intensification of military operations by Israel. Residential areas have been attacked. Hospitals ordered to evacuate. And electricity cut off – with no fuel or commercial goods allowed in.”Around 400,000 people, he added, “are being pressed yet again to move south to an area that is overcrowded, polluted and lacking the basics for survival.”Guterres said, “there is something fundamentally wrong in the way this war is being conducted. Ordering civilians to evacuate does not keep them safe if they have no safe place to go and no shelter, food, medicine or water. No place is safe in Gaza, and no one is safe. International law is unambiguous: civilians everywhere must be respected and protected – and their essential needs must be met, including through humanitarian assistance.”He said, “the conflict in the Middle East is getting worse by the hour -- and our warnings about the horrific impacts of escalation keep coming to pass. Every air strike, every missile launch, every rocket fired, pushes peace further out of reach and makes the suffering even worse for the millions of civilians caught in the middle. That is why we cannot and will not give up on our calls for an immediate ceasefire both in Gaza and Lebanon, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and immediate lifesaving aid to all those who desperately need it.”PM Justin Trudeau and Pierre Poilievre attend commemorative event on anniversary of Oct. 7 attackIn Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre deliver remarks at a commemorative event with the Jewish community. The event comes at the one-year anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas against Israel.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

“Socially relevant issues have been the driving force behind my work since my high school days. As a filmmaker and storyteller, I strongly believe it is our responsibility to scrutinize our society’s perpetuation of stereotypes and prejudices, which stem from outdated traditions and an inadequate educational system. Rather than glorifying and romanticizing these harmful elements, as often seen in mainstream content, we should challenge them and contribute to our collective progress and growth. With this conviction in mind, I have assembled a team of passionate young professionals to embark on a captivating journey of creating and exploring ‘Ard Ba’alat,’ a dystopian sci-fi fantasy series. Through this project, we aim to shed light on pressing issues and provoke thought-provoking discussions.”Samer BeyhumSamer Beyhum was raised in war-torn Lebanon during the tumultuous 1975-1990 civil war. Despite the divisive sectarian and patriarchal atmosphere of that era, he grew up in a unique and diverse environment. From a young age, Samer was passionate about promoting peace, social justice, and environmental causes. In 1997, he represented Lebanon at the Global Youth Forum organized by the UN in Seoul, South Korea, solidifying his commitment to making a positive impact on society.Samer pursued his interests in filmmaking and theater at the Lebanese American University in Beirut. There, he skillfully merged his love for music, experience as a ballet dancer, and sense of social justice, giving birth to expressive projects that reflected his style and beliefs.After completing his studies, Samer embarked on a multidisciplinary career as a filmmaker, director, editor, sound engineer, post-production specialist, and technician. His passion for creating socially relevant content led him to co-found 99Media.org, an independent media group focused on social justice issues in Montreal. Through this platform, he collaborated on numerous projects, producing compelling short documentaries and award-winning feature documentaries like “Derives” (2012), “La Chartes des Distractions” (2014), and “Une Histoire Syrienne” (2014).In 2007, Samer moved to Canada and later returned to Lebanon in 2016. Back in his home country, he established a program at the Lebanese American University of Beirut, encouraging students and alumni to produce socially relevant films and documentaries of the highest professional standard. The collaboration yielded award-winning works like “Maram” (2017), “The Spiral” (2018), and “Abandoned” (2019).Throughout his journey, Samer contributed his skills to various projects for organizations like Sharq.org, the Arab Reform Initiative, the Center for Lebanese Studies, the Arab Council for Social Sciences, and The Volunteer Circle.In 2023, Samer co-founded the Beirut Film Center alongside Mazen Hachem (Solo Films). This platform was created with the vision of providing aspiring filmmakers with opportunities and resources to showcase their talents and tell compelling stories that resonate with audiences worldwide.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Ministers on Bloc demands for Liberal government, conflict in LebanonMinisters speak briefly with reporters on Parliament Hill before the federal cabinet holds its weekly meeting.Mark Holland (health), Karina Gould (government House leader), Randy Boissonnault (employment) and Steven Guilbeault (environment) face questions on the Bloc Québécois’ demand of increasing benefits to seniors as one of its two preconditions for supporting the minority Liberal government.Bill Blair (defence), Ahmed Hussen (international development), Jean-Yves Duclos (public services) and Marc Miller (immigration) comment on the federal government’s response to the escalating conflict in Lebanon.Blair also comments on Iran’s missile attacks against Israel and fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East.Duclos and Miller also respond to questions on the Quebec government’s approach to the influx of asylum seekers to the province.Guilbeault comments as well on Quebec Environment Minister Benoit Charette’s visit to Ottawa and on the federal government’s potential emergency decree to protect boreal caribou in the province"Raging fires are fast becoming an inferno" - UN Chief's Briefing | United NationsSecretary-General António Guterres today (18 Apr) told the Security Council that “the events of the past week, the past month, and indeed nearly the past year make it clear: It is high time for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages,” and an “irreversible progress to a two-state solution.”Briefing the Council following the latest events in the region, Guterres warned that the raging fires in the Middle East are fast becoming an inferno.” In recent days, he said, “we have seen a dramatic escalation – so dramatic that he wondered “what remains of the framework this Council established with resolution 1701.”The Secretary-General said peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) “remain in position, and the UN flag continues to fly despite Israel’s request to relocate and stressed that “the safety and security of all UN personnel must be ensured.”Guterres, who was declared persona non grata over his response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel, said, “as should have been obvious yesterday in the context of the condemnation I expressed -- I again strongly condemn yesterday’s massive missile attack by Iran on Israel. And these attacks paradoxically do nothing to support the cause of the Palestinian people or reduce their suffering.”He said it was “high time to stop the sickening cycle of escalation after escalation that is leading the people of the Middle East straight over the cliff.”Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles on Tuesday towards Israel. Since last October, more than 1,700 people have been killed in Lebanon -- including over 100 children and 194 women.Russia on the Middle East - Security Council Media Stakeout | United NationsRemarks to the media by Vassily Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, on the situation in the Middle East.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland holds a news conference on Parliament Hill to provide her weekly economic update. She announces the payment amounts for the government’s carbon rebates for small- and medium-sized businesses, which will deliver over $2.5 billion to about 600,000 businesses before the end of the year. She also announces the government has finalized the list of Chinese steel and aluminum products that will be subject to a 25 per cent surtax. Freeland is joined by ministers Jean-Yves Duclos (public services and procurement), Mary Ng (export promotion, international trade and economic development) and Rechie Valdez (small business).Vice President Harris in Augusta speaking with the Mayor about the hurricane damagePrestaken to support emergency response and recovery efforts in Georgia and other states throughout the southeast following Hurricane Helene. Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon today (1 Oct) told reporters in New York that Israel’s response to a barrage of ballistic missiles launched by Iran on Israeli territory, “will be noticed” and “it will be painful.”Danon said, “the Islamic regime in Iran has now shown the world its true face. They are a terrorist state. For years they have armed terrorist and rogue states. They are responsible for the death of innocent civilians across the globe.”Until now, he said, “they have hidden behind proxies, but the mask has dropped. They have exposed themselves directly, launching hundreds of missiles into civilian areas. Their evil is now laid bare for all to see.”The Israeli diplomat vowed to “defend our people.” He said, “we will act. Iran will soon feel the consequences of their actions.”Danon expressed disappointment at Secretary-General António Guterres’ message issued after the Iranian attacks calling for de-escalation and stressing the need for a ceasefire.He said, “we have no desire for war or escalation. But we cannot sit idly by when our civilians are being attacked in such manner.”Asked about specific plans for Israel's response, he said, “we will decide about when and how we will respond” an added, “the people of Iran who are watching us understand that it's not against the Iranian people. It's against the radical regime that dragged the Iranian people into this situation.”At the UNGA, Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Lestari Priansari Marsudi urged the international community to pressure Israel to return to a political path for a two-state solution, questioning Israel's commitment to peace.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

MPs speak with reporters on Parliament Hill as they convene for the daily question period in the House of Commons. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly faces questions on the conflict in Lebanon and on the federal government’s efforts to evacuate Canadian citizens from the country. Joly also comments on Iran’s missile attacks against Israel and reiterates the government’s calls for a ceasefire to prevent a widening conflict in the region. NDP MPs Heather McPherson and Alexandre Boulerice outline the emergency debate on the situation in Lebanon tonight in the House of Commons. The debate was requested by McPherson, the NDP foreign affairs critic. Liberal MP Marc Serré responds to questions on the Bloc Québécois’ demand of increasing benefits to seniors as one of its two preconditions for supporting the minority Liberal government.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

School staffGender inclusive classroomsIncluding sexual orientation and gender diversity in school codes of conduct and anti-bullying policies improves the school climate for 2SLGBTQIA+ students by reducing discrimination and harassment. Teachers may include the B.C. Human Rights Code, sexual orientation, and gender diversity in classroom discussions.Being gender inclusive in the classroom means:Speaking about gender identity in a way that makes every student feel like they belongNot limiting a person's potential based on their biological sex and how they understand or express their genderWelcoming everyone without discrimination, regardless of their gender identitBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, addresses the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations (New York, 24 - 30 September 2024).World leaders gather to engage in the annual high-level General Debate under the theme, "Unity and diversity for advancing peace, sustainable development, and human dignity, everywhere and for all." Heads of State and Government and ministers will explore solutions to intertwined global challenges to advance peace, security, and sustainable development.The UN General Assembly (UNGA) is the main policy-making organ of the Organization. Comprising all Member States, it provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations. Each of the 193 Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.General debate website: https://gadebate.un.org/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

conference on Parliament Hill, NDP Foreign Affairs critic Heather McPherson and deputy leader Alexandre Boulerice reiterate their party’s call for peace and justice amid the Israel-Hamas war. The NDP is urging the federal government to recognize Palestinian statehood, impose sanctions on the Netanyahu government, and impose a two-way arms embargo on Israel.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

What is gender identity?Gender Identity is the internal and psychological sense of oneself as a woman, a man, both, in between, or neither. Gender identity is unique to each individual and is not determined by sex or defined by sexual orientation. For many people, their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. This is referred to as cisgender. For others, their gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.Gender-diverse is an inclusive term used to refer to multiple types of gender identities that fall outside cisgender and/or binary understandings of gender.When you are transgender, also known as trans, your gender identity doesn't match the sex that you were assigned at birth (usually male or female).Non-binary is an umbrella term referring to people whose gender does not fall within the binary gender system of woman/girl or man/boy. Some individuals identify as non-binary while others may use terms such a gender non-conforming, genderqueer, or agender.For people who are trans or non-binary, some may know from a young age that the gender they have been assigned doesn’t fit with who they really are. Other people come to this realization later in life.Sexual orientation and gender identity are not the same thing. Everyone has both a gender identity and a sexual orientation. Like anybody, trans people may identify as straight, pansexual, queer, asexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay or something else. Human rightsAll people have the right to be free from discrimination based on sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. This right is protected by Article 2 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Acts, and the B.C. Human Rights Code.The B.C. Human Rights Code protects B.C. students from discrimination based on Indigenous identity, race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or age.Every school in B.C. should be a place where every student feels welcome, safe and included.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.

UN Under Secretary-General for Policy Guy Ryder said that “The idea” of the Summit of the Future “is to render the United Nations a multilateral system more effective in the fulfillment of its mandate, to make it more participatory, more networked, this in the face of the very clear global challenges that we face.”Briefing the press today (11 Sep) on the programme and objectives of the UN’s Summit of the Future, Ryder said, “The summit will be adopting 3 outcome documents: A Pact for the Future to which will be annexed 2 other documents, a global digital compact and a declaration on future generations.”The Summit of the Future (22-23 Sep) will produce an inter-governmentally negotiated, action-oriented Pact for the Future with chapters on Sustainable development and financing for development; International peace and security; Science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation; Youth and future generations; and transforming global governance.The Summit of the Future Action Days (20-21 Sep.) will focus on multistakeholder partnerships and action paving a way towards the next chapter of multilateralism that is more inclusive and networked.Ryder said, “Part of the objective of this summit is to complete and to improve our business around the 2030 agenda. This is an accelerator for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”He added, “Secondly, we have a section on peace and security - designed in accordance with proposals presented by the Secretary General, under the title of ‘A new agenda for peace’ - to address the whole spectrum, the whole continuum of peace.”He said, “The objective of the global digital compact is to make technology work for humanity equitably. We are aiming at closing digital divides, expanding inclusion in the digital economy, creating an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital space, working on equitable data governance and also, and this has perhaps attracted more attention anything else, creating the systems of governance of artificial intelligence that will benefit humanity.”He continued, “A declaration on future generations is intended to codify what is happening in many of our member states, the need to ensure that decisions we take today take into full account the needs and interests of future generations.”He concluded, “And the last chapter, and it captures a lot of different issues, is around the transformation of global governance. This is a very wide-ranging area of the pact. It addresses Security Council reform, and we have the potential to take important steps forward on Security Council reform. It addresses the revitalization of the General Assembly and ECOSOC. Critically, it contains extensive language of the current state of negotiations on reform of the international financial architecture.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/policy-and-rights--3339563/support.