SS Forum: Kathryn Sikkink

China has detained over a million Uyghur Muslims, several countries sentence LGBTQ individuals to death, and Canada arrests First Nations for peacefully trying to protect their traditional lands. With many struggles still happening worldwide, it would be easy to believe that the international human rights movement is in jeopardy. But in actual fact, genocide and violence against civilians have been declining, while access to healthcare and education has increased dramatically worldwide.

What is the history of human rights? What is the current state of human rights? How can human rights advances be supported and sustained? To learn the answers to these questions, please join Professor Kathryn Sikkink in discussion at the Salt Spring Forum!

Sikkink is Professor of Human Rights Policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where she works on international norms and institutions, transnational advocacy networks, the impact of human rights law and policies, and transitional justice.

Sikkink’s latest book, "Evidence for Hope: Making Human Rights Work in the 21st Century", draws on decades of research and fieldwork to rebut pessimism about the state of human rights and their supporting institutions. Sikkink argues that although change comes slowly and as the result of struggle, human rights movements have been incredibly effective over the long term.

Don’t miss this conversation about one of the great issues of our time!