AIDO Network International has launched its human rights empowerment campaign. The first meeting, held early this month involved key AIDO members, introduced and discussed the concept and direction of the activity.

Teddy Curan, AIDO Head of Human Rights Committee started the meeting by introducing His Highness Paul Eganda, AIDO President who gave the opening remarks. Addressing the meeting the AIDO President said “We are developing a movement that will bring Africa to Africans with the support of people of all skins colours. Respect and equality are an integral part of this, and this it is why AIDO embodies the principles and furtherance of human rights to use them as a vital tool to improve the lives and conditions of each and every African person.”

AIDOs special advisor on human rights and interfaith, Martin Weightman, giving an overview of the importance of human rights said “Human rights support everything that we do. Knowing and starting to insist on one’s rights; teaching them to one’s children, applying them in one’s relations with friends as well as neighbours and then one’s local communities and then within the broader spheres of influence such as the police forces and the military, we will gradually bring about change and as well as a favourable atmosphere for running campaigns to correct wrongs. This is precisely what AIDO’s action is intended to do – give people support in improving their own lives and of those around them.

Mr. Weightman’s remarks were followed by those of Ambassador Ireneo Namboka, focusing on the very first of all human rights – as laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, namely the Right to Life. Ambassador Namboka stressed that human rights or “Ubuntu” are not selfish rights and that along with these rights comes responsibility, power and service. He explained that human rights are not only rights to protect oneself individually but they are there for the benefit of all others too. He went on to talk about how it is necessary to increase life expectancy throughout African where the survival rate, in particular of mothers and young children is troublingly lower than in other regions in the world.

A demonstration of how human rights meetings can be run followed, given by Tracey Coleman, United for Human Rights and the Church of Scientology’s representative. She used two different human rights examples to explain the rights and then engaged with the audience, asking how the two kinds of rights applied to specific cases in the lives of the respondents. This led to a lively discussion and strong interest on these subjects. Ms Coleman also showed that there are a range of videos and supporting materials in stock available for anyone to use if necessary.

It was agreed at the meeting that gaining a full understanding and application of human rights is integral to AIDO’s “Roots of Africa” strategy. The application of these rights is integral to developing a fair, free and just climate in which Africa can reclaim its roots, culture and resources (where they have been lost) whilst creating a new and equal future for all Africans – both on the continent and in the diaspora.

The AIDO Human Rights Committee is now developing tailor made campaign programmes for specific or individual target beneficiaries intended to thematically address different interests and needs accordingly. By rolling out the human rights working action plans in this way AIDO hopes to be able to increase the level of peoples’ interest in and awareness of their rights. By this approach, communities will be empowered to address different aspects of the problems facing them and develop actions to reform or rectify what has been found to exist.

The above goes hand in hand with AIDO’s “Roots of Africa” activities programme launched this month

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