NESRI: National Economic & Social Rights Initiative

WELCOME TO OUR SECOND LISTSERV ANNOUNCEMENT!

December 2006

Dear Friends & Allies,

We write to update you on highlights and new developments in our work over the last three months. As we mark the 58th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we must remain ever conscious of the vast numbers of people still denied basic rights. Those rights include decent housing, education, work, food, health, and social security. Yet, economic and social rights are still not fully recognized in the United States with serious consequences to human dignity for people within as well as outside its borders. We must continue to work in solidarity with communities towards the realization of all rights for all people. We are honored and humbled by your support which enables us to contribute to this effort, and thank you for being part of this list serve that seeks to keep you informed of NESRI’s work.

DELEGATION OF KATRINA ACTIVISTS RETURN FROM VISIT WITH TSUNAMI SURVIVORS
Gulf Coast communities in the U.S. were devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Thousands of people were abandoned after the storm by the government, and the poor have since suffered displacement in large numbers or homelessness and sub-human conditions back in their communities. To date, neither national nor state government has demonstrated a commitment to respect and protect the human rights of people displaced by the hurricanes, in particular, the right to stable, secure and accessible housing. Consequently, thousands are living without secure housing or support from any level of government. Moreover, authorities are rebuilding without the presence or participation of the most devastated communities.

Poor communities in Asia faced similar challenges and abuse after the 2004 Tsunami. Our Asian friends and allies have learned a great deal from their struggle to recover, and have successfully rebuilt thousands of homes through organizing, skills exchange, community mapping and building a human rights consciousness in affected communities. For this reason, NESRI, along with the National Policy and Advocacy Council on Homelessness, launched a transnational community exchange between Katrina and Tsunami survivors. The exchange promotes models for post-disaster rebuilding based on human rights, community participation and recognition of government responsibility to hurricane survivors as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). IDPs have special protections under international human rights standards and the post-disaster policy guidelines recommended by a number of countries, including the U.S.

This delegation of activists returned in November of 2006 from the community exchange, and this is what they had to say to their Asian allies:

            When we go back, your model is our new goal.

            You guys are strong, and we are feeding off that every single day.

Read more about this incredible exchange. >>>

HUMAN RIGHTS IS THEME OF AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The American Public Health Association (APHA) chose human rights as its theme for its annual meeting. The APHA is the oldest and largest organization of public health professionals in the world, representing more than 50,000 members from over 50 occupations of public health, and has been a steadfast supporter of a human rights approach to health in the U.S.

Both NESRI founding Board member, Dr. Paul Farmer, and NESRI’s Executive Director, Cathy Albisa, had the opportunity to present at plenary sessions during the conference. Dr. Farmer was the keynote speaker at the opening of the meeting and Ms. Albisa presented at the plenary on reproductive health.

NESRI HOSTS DIALOGUE ON HUMAN RIGHT TO EDUCATION WITH NYU LAW STUDENTS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
NESRI hosted a dialogue facilitated by Professor Martha Davis and Dr. Paul Farmer on the human right to education at NYU Law School in October of 2006. Our partner organization, CADRE, discussed the transformation of their work in Los Angeles through human rights participatory documentation and leadership development. To view pictures of this wonderful event please click here >>>

NESRI JOINS AS A CORE MEMBER OF NEW NATIONAL "DIGNITY IN SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN"
Influenced by the innovative work of NESRI’s partner CADRE in Los Angeles, the Education Subcommittee of the Children’s Rights Litigation Committee of the American Bar Association launched a national Dignity in Schools Campaign (DSC). NESRI has been invited to be a core organizer of this effort. The DSC unites advocates, educators, organizers, and lawyers from across the country to reframe the debate around school discipline from one that aims to punish and exclude children, to a human rights perspective that respects the child’s right to an education and keeps children in school. NESRI is coordinating a web-based project to compile research on policies that “push” young people out of school, and to share effective advocacy strategies and policy models for combating “push-out” and taking a positive approach to discipline. We are looking for organizations and individuals to join the campaign and contribute to the web-based research project. Email Liz Sullivan to get involved. Please read more >>>

In January, as part of a tele-conference call series, the DSC will also be hosting a discussion on the criminalization of school policies that push youth out of school. Contact us or visit our media and updates over the next month for details.

ALLIANCE FOR FAIR FOOD AND SWEAT-FREE COMMUNITIES ANNOUNCE SPRING CONFERENCE IN New York City
NESRI is a co-founder of the Alliance for Fair Food (AFF). The AFF is a network of human rights, religious, student, labor, and grassroots organizations who work in partnership with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). The AFF and Sweat Free Communities will be hosting a conference that bridges the human rights issues affecting workers in sweatshops and in the fields. The conference will be held on April 27-29, 2007 at Columbia Law School. We encourage all our friends and supporters to attend. Please check www.allianceforfairfood.org or NESRI’s media and updates webpage in the near future for conference details.

NESRI would also like to offer a special thank you to:

The Asian Coalition of Housing Rights and UPLINK for their solidarity and assistance in our efforts to support Gulf Coast activists working to secure the human rights of hurricane survivors.
NYU Law Students for Human Rights for their research assistance and role in co-hosting NESRI’s human right to education dialogue on October 2006.
New York Law school student volunteers for their work on the rights of workers with injuries.
Emily Edling for her tremendous speed and accuracy in transcription.
Chinedu Nwaigwe and Danae DiRocco (Columbia Public Health Students helping with Katrina research)
NESRI interns Allegra Glashausser and Alexis Krauss for their work this fall for the Right to Education Program.
Schulte, Roth & Zabel, in particular Danny Greenberg, for pro bono assistance in our Legal Program.
CADRE for their solidarity and willingness to come to New York City to share their experience and learning in our right to education dialogue.
The Ford Foundation, the Mertz-Gilmore Foundation, the Public Welfare Foundation, and the U.S. Human Rights Fund for their steadfast support for human rights in the U.S.
Ellen Gurzinsky and Bruce Rabb for their invaluable advice, wisdom and support.

Warmest Wishes in the New Year!!!

NESRI Staff:
Cathy Albisa, Executive Director
Sharda Sekaran, Associate Director
Liz Sullivan, Right to Education Program Director
Laura Gosa, Program Assistant

NESRI Board of Directors :
Martha Davis, Board Chair
Mimi Abramovitz, Secretary
Rhonda Copelon, Treasurer
Professor Lisa Crooms
Dr. Paul Farmer
Sarah Lawsky

The National Economic and Social Rights Initiative (NESRI) promotes a human rights vision for the United States that ensures dignity and access to the basic resources needed for human development and civic participation.