10th Dec: World Human Rights (Equality and Social Justice) Day

Chaired by Professor Julia J.A. Shaw, Professor of Law & Justice, Director of the Centre for Law, Justice and Society (CLJS), Leicester De Montfort Law School

To mark World Human Rights Day, scholars from across De Montfort University will discuss the relevance and importance of their research to the twin themes of equality and social justice in 15-minute presentations followed by a 30-minute Q&A session.

To begin, the first theme will discuss three movements of artistic and popular culture from different parts of Africa which were part of social struggles for equality and social justice during different historical periods. For the second presentation, the focus shifts to Leicester and addresses the role of two third sector employability projects and considers the constraints within which they operate; asking whether they can support service users to make their own choices and exercise control over their employability journey by offering a better alternative to mainstream ‘activation’ policies.

The third topic investigates the extent to which the current approach to human rights enforcement is too concerned with identifying and punishing a small minority of perpetrators. Accordingly, this presentation considers whether the ‘criminalisation’ of human rights abuses and search for scapegoats is at the expense of the identification of the truth of systemic failings and genuine recognition and protection of human rights for all.

Finally, everyone loves chocolate; however it can be difficult for ethical consumers to know what type of chocolate to buy, especially given the different types of certification (Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, organic, etc.) and news stories about slavery, child labour, deforestation and farmer poverty. This paper explores some of these concerns and the practical ways in which consumers can make more informed ethical choices.

• • Performing Arts, Equality and Social Justice: perspectives from the African Continent, Dr Funmi Adewole, Senior Lecturer in Dance, School of Humanities and Performing Arts
• • The Role of the Third-Sector in Delivering Employability Support for Vulnerable Adults and Young People: lessons from local projects within Leicester, Professor Jonathan Payne, Professor of Work, Employment & Skills, Director of the People, Organisations and Work Institute (POWI), Leicester Castle Business School & Dr Peter Butler-Pogorzelczyk, Senior Lecturer in Employment Relations, Leicester Castle Business School
• • Human Rights – Rhetoric or Reality?: the role of responsibility, accountability and truth, Tim Hillier, Head of Leicester De Montfort Law School
• • Social Justice and Equality in Cocoa: what every ethical chocolate lover needs to know, Dr Amanda Berlan, Reader in Business & Sustainability, Leicester Castle Business School

Bookings will close 1 hour prior to the start of the event, and registrants will receive a link to join the online event 24hrs before the event, via their provided email address.

Please contact the DMU Events Office on eventsoffice@dmu.ac.uk if you have any questions.

This event is open to all.