Announcement:
CALL FOR STUDENT POSTERS ON “PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS”
Late Submission Deadline: October 3, 2011
The APHA International Human Rights Committee is organizing a poster session for the 139th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Public Health Association to be held October 29-November 2, 2011 in Washington, DC. The Committee seeks abstracts from students in public health or related fields on topics addressing the intersection between health and human rights. Abstracts related to the 2011 Annual Meeting theme, “Healthy Communities Promote Healthy Minds and Bodies” are encouraged. Student papers must reflect work, issues, or activities undertaken while in school, either undergraduate or graduate programs. Poster sessions allow participants to view presentations at will and interact with poster session authors.
For more information, click here to access the Call for Student Posters.
Information about the IHRC
Overview
“Rights are claims or entitlements to something or against someone that are recognized by legal rules or moral principles. A human right is a morally-based, higher-order universal right that it belongs equally to all persons simply because they are human beings.” [i]
The International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) is a 10-member group reporting to the Executive Board of the American Public Health Association (APHA), that focuses on international health and human rights concerns.
The mission of the APHA International Human Rights Committee is to provide an impartial platform where scholars and professionals in the field can come together to examine, discuss, and take action on human rights issues that have an impact on public health.
Activities
The IHRC provides guidance to the APHA Executive Board and membership regarding human rights issues of public health concern around the world. The IHRC sponsors a poster session and three scientific sessions during the APHA annual meeting and the IHRC membership is responsible for the organziation of these sessions. Additionally, many members of the IHRC authored chapters in the recently released text, “Rights Based Approaches to Public Health” which was co-edited by Elvira Beracochea (IHRC member), Corey Weinstein, (past IHRC chair) and Dabney Evans (current IHRC chair).
Membership
IHRC members have special involvement with human rights activities in various areas of the world, e.g. Latin America, South Africa, Russia, Southeast Asia. Members serve two-year terms that can be repeated.
The IHRC is chaired by one individual and typically consists of 10-12 members, each serving a two-year term. The IHRC must remain small and flexible to allow it to move quickly when necessary. Members may be nominated during APHA’s annual nomination period. The APHA Executive Board appoints Committee members. Members also may be nominated (or self-nominated) via the APHA Leadership mechanism. Additionally, interested APHA members may participate informally based on substantive interest. Professional experience with human rights issues is a valuable asset for potential members of this committee.
The IHRC meets during the APHA Annual Meeting. Additionally, during the year, members keep in touch and network through conference calls and e-mails. Additionally, interested members of the APHA may choose to participate in the activities conducted by the IHRC by indicating their interest to do so to the current chair.
Committee Chair: Dr. Dabney Evans - devan01@emory.edu
Members
Dr. Carol Easley Allen
ceasley@uaa.alaska.edu
Dr. Elvira Beracochea
elvira@midego.com
Dr. Timothy H. Holtz
tkh3@th.cdc.gov
Dr. Luba Louise Ivanov
llivanov@uncg.edu
Dr. Benjamin Mason Meier
bmeier@unc.edu
Dr. Leonard Rubenstein
lrubenst@jhsph.edu
Dr. Monika Sawhney
msawhne@gmail.com
Dr. Jerry Vincent
jerry.vincent@theirc.org
Dr. Corey Weinstein
corey2w@att.net
Dr. Judith L. Wold
nurjlw@langate.gsu.edu
APHA Staff Liaison:
Vina HuLamm
Office: (202) 777-2506
E-mail: vina.hulamm@apha.org
[i] Easley, C. E., Marks, S. P., & Morgan, R. E. (Dec. 2001). The Challenge and Place of International Human Rights in Public Health. American Journal of Public Health, 91 (12), 1922-1925.