“The Fight for Equality – A Thousand Challenges”: Unveiling of the CASHRA 2016 Annual Conference Program
Montréal, February 25, 2016 — The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse will be hosting the 2016 Canadian Association of Statutory Human Rights Agencies (CASHRA) annual conference to be held in Montréal on May 16 and 17, 2016 at the Sheraton Center under the theme "The Fight for Equality – A Thousand Challenges".
"We are pleased to welcome our colleagues from other provinces and territories, and all those interested in human rights", said Jacques Frémont, President of the Commission. The theme was chosen to underline the continuing struggle for equality and the adoption of the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms 40 years ago.
"Even though progress has been made on human rights and freedoms in Québec and elsewhere in the last forty years, we should remind ourselves of the numerous obstacles to equality that still exist in some areas," added the President.
Michèle Lamont, Professor and Director of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts) will deliver the keynote speech. She will address the issues of stigmatisation and racial discrimination in three countries. Other internationally known speakers will also participate, including François Crépeau, Full Professor at McGill University (Montréal, Québec) and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants.
Human rights specialists from every part of the country are also expected to attend the two-day conference and to take part in thematic workshops addressing, in particular, equality and discrimination in the workplace.
To register and to learn more about the program: inscriptionenligne.ca/cdpdj/welcome 
For more information about the conference, please contact Johanne Magloire at 514 873-5146, extension 473 or johanne.magloire@cdpdj.qc.ca.
The Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (Human Rights and Youth Commission) ensures the promotion and respect of the principles set out in the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. It also ensures that the interests of children are protected and that their rights recognized in the Youth Protection Act are respected and promoted. In addition, the Commission oversees compliance with the Act respecting Equal Access to Employment in Public Bodies.
Contact:
Jean-François Gagnon
514 873-5146 or 1 800 361-6477, extension 230
jean-francois.gagnon@cdpdj.qc.ca
