The following announcement was provided by World in Watertown:
The City of Watertown is currently seeking applicants to serve on its newly formed Human Rights Commission. The Human Rights Commission will educate the community about human rights, build connections across the City to prevent and address discrimination, and provide support and resources to people who have a human rights complaint. The Human Rights Commission will have nine Commissioners plus liaisons from the Policy Department, the School Department, and the student body. Applications are due on December 8th.
Human Rights Commissioners should have experience advocating or working to promote human rights. This experience could be from advocacy activities, professional roles, education, and it could also be lived experience of experiencing the effects of discrimination. To fulfill its purpose, it is essential that the the Human Rights Commission membership reflects the diversity of the community. “Diversity” refers to the many different aspects of a person’s identity such as race, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, and national origin.
On Tuesday November 21 at 6:30 p.m., World in Watertown is hosting a workshop to share information and provide support for people who would like to apply to be a Human Rights Commissioner. Xin Peng, Chair of the World in Watertown board, will guide a discussion with current and former Human Rights Commissioners who will share their experiences. The group will provide tips on how to prepare an application and will answer questions from the community. The workshop will be at the First Parish of Watertown Unitarian Universalist Church (24 Church St.). Childcare and light refreshments will be available. The workshop will be filmed and posted on Watertown Cable Access Television‘s website and broadcast on its Comcast and RCN channels for people who cannot attend. If you have any questions about the event, would like to request childcare, or if you would like to be added to our mailing list to receive a recording, email worldinwatertowncity@gmail.com.
About World in Watertown
World in Watertown is a civic organization founded in 1999 to protect and promote non-discriminatory practices in Watertown, Massachusetts. World in Watertown creates and supports local educational programs and other initiatives to honor our city’s diversity, brings together members of the community to celebrate our cultural differences, and advocates for fair and equal treatment for all.
As a retired Director of Human Resources for a company with offices all over the U.S., I hope the policies of Watertown’s Human Rights Commission includes freedom from slavery, torture and human trafficking. Tonight’s news suggests that, in Watertown, the anonymity of a large high end apartment complex providesd the opportunity for trafficking. I’m pretty sure I read comments here recently pooh-poohing the idea that we needed a Human Rights Commission. I think this is proof we do.
Anne, would you consider joining? The commission needs 9 people, and the inaugural body will need people in professions such as lawyer, clergy, HR, educator, mental health professional, union president, etc. to build practices.
However, the commission will also need people who have backgrounds in non-normative life experiences. So, to others, don’t let the lack of a profession prevent you from considering this. Issues may be racial in nature, gender based, involve homelessness and poverty, treatment of the elderly and persons with disabilities, addiction, re-integration of vets into civilian life as well as refugees, etc. It is about hearing the issues but it is also about celebrating, integrating and educating people.
The INFO SESSION is at First Parish Church on November 21st at 6:30pm!
Plus anyone with conflict resolution skills! We need it more than ever!