How can we define a "right"? How is it different from a need or a demand? Rights seem to be regarded most often as something intrinsic and universal. A right commands more respect than a need, which can pass, be a whim, something unique to an individual. Though related to rights, less certain. Demands are made for any number of reasons, and are often arbitrary. We talk of rights differently.
If it were not for Darfur, policies of rendition, torture, multple holocausts, to name but a few recent overwhelming and undeniable acts that leave us uncomfortable and obligated in some undefined way, we could leave the definition of rights as an abstract exercise. But the constant, unrelenting pace of the violation of rights has required, throughout history, a search for concrete agreements about what rights are and what specific rights must be respected, regardless of context- or at least most contexts and circumstances.
No one Declaration has proven persuasive and effective in human history. It is not even agreed upon that rights have a natural origin or are cultural conventions. Elusive, yet central to our living together- what is a right?

One of three morning panels will present and discuss different levels and different topics of student research. Child poverty, the homeless, students in Afghanistan, and distribution of power during a 1975 tribune on women's rights are the areas of research. One question we are hoping they explore will be about how to remedy some of these situations of denial of basic rights. In particular, are there structural changes- as opposed to new programs and agencies within existing structures- necessary to change these problems.
I want to invite your ideas, which will be passed on to the panel prior to the conference. Also, feel free to suggest questions you would be interested in hearing the panel discuss.

Welcome to the BCC Human Rights conference blog. Our intention is to begin some conversations well in advance of the conference on a variety of topics concerning human rights and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We invite presenters, those planning to attend, and anyone interested in joining the conversation to contribute.
It has already been a very interesting experience planning for March 28. Scheduled presenters and panel members come from varied backgrounds and perspectives. I am struck in particular by how often the issue of vulnerability has come up. Victim rights, the rights of rufugees, women, children, the poor. It seems to me as though the rights we have simply as human beings are clearest when all priviledge and societal protections are stripped away.
In the initial planning, I thought we would be exploring the origin of rights. The panels that have formed will not be directly talking about this, so I welcome any thoughts you have on this question. My own perspective if heavily influenced by Emmanuel Levinas, but I will save that for a later post.
Please feel free to initiate new topics and respond as frequently as you wish. Presenters- if you would like to give a preview of your presentation or talk to other panel members, we welcome that as well.
michael