DESCRIPTION
The economic downturn has touched everyone. However, the poor, marginalized and vulnerable groups in society may suffer disproportionately. The human rights costs of recession are diverse and complex. Governments are forced to make difficult decisions in the face of reduced revenue and increased need. Developing countries do not have the resources to moderate the effects of the recession by increasing social services to aid the poor. As a result of the recession, the World Bank estimates that another 53 million people will fall into poverty, resulting in 1.5 billion people living on less than $2 a day. Developed countries, in an effort to protect their own economies and their citizens, may reduce the levels of foreign assistance they provide to the underdeveloped world, thereby further restricting the developing countries’ ability to aid the poor. Even in developed countries, the poor and marginalized will suffer the brunt of the recession as governments cut back basic services and social protection (for example, healthcare, feeding programs, and education).
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recognizes that, during times of financial hardship, the risk of violence to women and girls increases. In addition, women’s economic and social rights are jeopardized as they are often the first to lose jobs, entitlements and opportunities. As poverty and unemployment levels increase, migrant workers, illegal immigrants, or other marginalized groups may also be scapegoated (either by the people enduring economic deprivation or by governments looking to deflect attention from their inefficient or corrupt policies). With the increased frustration and fear brought on by the recession, social tensions rise, which may, in turn, lead to inappropriate government response involving the curtailment of civil and political rights. In an effort to maintain good economic relations during these difficult times, governments will choose to ignore the human rights abuses of their trading partners (as evidenced by US Secretary of State Clinton’s avoidance of human rights questions during her recent visit to China). In addition, one may wonder if the recession will not also lead to greater conflict between states competing for a smaller market and in search for cheaper resources.
GROUP COORDINATORS
Clair Apodaca
Clair Apodaca is an Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University. She has published extensively in the areas the international protection of human rights, women’s human rights, and refugee studies. Her most recent book is Understanding U.S. Human Rights Policy: A Paradoxical Legacy (Routledge 2006). She is currently finishing a manuscript (to be published by Routledge) on child hunger as a human rights violation titled Child Hunger and Human Rights: International Governance. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Human Rights, International Studies Quarterly, and Human Rights Quarterly among many others. In recognition of her scholarship in the field, human rights scholars and practitioners elected Clair to the first Executive Committee for Human Rights at the American Political Science Association (APSA) in 2001. Presently, Clair serves on the Executive Committee for the Human Rights Section of the International Studies Association.
Contact: apodaca@fiu.edu
James O’Higgins-Norman
James O’Higgins is Lecturer in the School of Education Studies and Chair of Graduate Teacher Education at Dublin City University, Ireland. He is also an International Associate Editor of the Journal of Pastoral Care in Education and a member of the Executive Committee of the Human Rights Section of the International Studies Association. Since joining DCU, he has been responsible for the development of post-graduate programs in teacher education, guidance and pastoral care in which he has ensured that issues related to human rights and equality are centrally placed. He has authored a number of books on aspects of equality and wellbeing in schools, and he has presented conference papers on his research in Ireland, Australia, the UK, Finland, and the USA. James was also a member of the NCCA Sub-Committee on Interculturalism in Education. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (London) and a Senior Member of the Society for Irish Latin American Studies. He is a member of the International Sociological Association and the European Forum for Student Guidance.
Contact: james.norman@dcu.ie
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
9:00am -6:00pm
Pre-Conference Workshop
INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME
9:00 – 10:00am
Introduction to the workshop, participants and initial discussion of the multifaceted affects of the recession affects human rights.
THE THEORY OF SCHOLARS AND PRACTITIONERS
10:15 – 12:00pm > Critique Circle
Working Group participants will exchange research projects and/or project ideas for targeted discussion and feedback from others in the field. We broadly define this research as a “Work in Progress,” but do require some written paper or project proposal to be circulated and read prior to the workshop. We encourage either more theoretically-oriented papers, or papers at the very beginning of development, as critique involving these may be most useful.
LUNCH MEETING
12:00 – 1:30pm
THE ACTIVITIES OF PRACTITIONERS
2:15 - 4:15pm > Lecture and Discussion
A scholar-practitioner in the field of human rights will discuss his/her experience in bridging the gap between scholarship and practice. This session will combine lecture with time for Q&A.
THEORY VS. POLICY? CONNECTING SCHOLARS AND PRACTITIONERS
4:30 - 5:45pm > Small Group Discussion
The small discussion groups will address the following questions set out by the ISA theme: Has the influence of scholars in the policy world increased or decreased in the last decade? Do decision-makers routinely make use of academic research? Are there innovative teaching methods and strategies to emphasize case study components in international studies without sacrificing theoretical rigor?
4:15am – 6:00pm
Follow-up Forum
Discussion: This meeting will be an opportunity for participants to discuss issues brought up in various panels they have attended while focusing on the affects of the economic recession on human rights.
5:00 – 6:30pm
Wrap-up Session
Discussion: The questions for this meeting, again taken from the ISA Conference theme is: how much is involvement in practice possible or even desirable for academics? Has exposure to practice improved research? This is the time to reflect on the working group meetings as well as the conference in general and to strategize about follow-up activities. The post-conference survey will also be discussed.
