A very special Annual Meeting is planned this year to mark the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Canadian Section of the International Commission of Jurists as Canada’s first human rights NGO focused on promoting and maintaining the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary on a global level.  This year also marks the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  The Meeting will be held on Monday, August 18, from 3:00 to 5:30 in Room 202 at the Convention Centre in Quebec City, which is celebrating its own anniversary of 400 years.

Following the Annual Meeting, which will take place from 3:00-3:45, and a short break, we are pleased to present a Special Program on the Past, Present, and Future of the United Nations, which will feature two distinguished speakers who are exceptionally well-qualified to address this topic: Madam Louise Fréchette, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, and the 2008 Tarnopolsky recipient, Mr. Yves Fortier, Canada’s former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN.

A reception generously sponsored by the law firm of Ogilvy Renault LLP will follow the Program from 5:15 until 6:30.

ICJ Canada will also be participating in Robin Sully’s International Development Workshop, “Celebrating the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The Challenge of Implementing Human Rights Principles in Conflict and Post-Conflict Countries.”  The Honourable W. Ian Binnie will speak on the activities of the International Commission of Jurists in this area.  The Workshop will be held from 8:30 to 1:00 on Sunday, August 17, in Room 202 of the Convention Centre.  The Workshop is free, but you are asked to register with Claudia de Oliveira at claudiad@cba.org so that organizers will have an idea of how many people will attend.

NB: The Tarnopolsky Award will be presented to Yves Fortier on Monday morning by Justice Ian Binnie at the joint ICJ Canada/ Canadian Judges forum meeting at CLE 1.1 in Room 205ABC in the Convention Centre.  Please note that although the ICJ Canada meeting is open to the public, registration is required for the Monday morning meeting.  Day passes may be obtained at the registration desk.