E-Seminar: Upholding Human Rights and Justice Today: Religion, Media, and NGOs

Description 

The theme of human rights and justice continues to be highly debated in the contemporary world. Academic scholars, politicians, journalists and ordinary people often cite human rights violations or abuses and divergent cases of injustice and inequality. This seminar taps into this ongoing discourse from the perspective of religion, local and international NGOs and mass media (i.e., print and online media). The major aim of this seminar is to explore and analyse the role of religious organisations, NGOs and print/online media platforms in the promotion, advocation and safeguarding of human rights and justice. Why does the discourse on human rights and justice matter? What is the role of religious organisations, print/online media platforms and NGOs in the promotion and safeguarding of human rights and justice? To what extend do religious organisations, print/online media platforms, and NGOs have the freedom to promote human rights and justice? On what basis should they promote human rights and justice? The seminar will draw its data from different perspectives i.e., philosophy, law, religion and theology, sociology, political science, the experiences of participants, etc.

Objectives:

• To understand the centrality of human rights and justice
• To be conversant with the ongoing discourse on human rights and justice from both local and international perspectives.
• To explore the extent to which religious organisations, mass media, and NGOs have the freedom to promote human rights and justice.
• To explore and analyse the role of religious organisations, mass media and NGOs in the promotion, safeguarding and advocation of human rights.

Learning Outcomes

KNOWLEDGE

• Have a profound understanding of the centrality of human rights and justice in the world today.
• Be knowledgeable about the ongoing discourse on human rights and justice from both local and international perspectives.
• Have profound knowledge on the role of religious organisations, mass media and NGOs in the promotion, safeguarding and advocation of human rights.

COMPETENCE 

• Able to explain clearly the centrality of human rights and justice in the world today.
• Able to comprehend and take part in the ongoing discourse on human rights and justice from both local and international perspectives.
• Able to explain and discuss the role of religious organisations, mass media and NGOs in the promotion, safeguarding and advocation of human rights.

Evaluation Methods:

• A written contribution of approx. 4,000 characters for each step
• Participation in the debate during the second week (quality over quantity)