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The
International
Conference poised
for success
The International
Conference on
LGBT Human Rights,
presented by
the 1st
World Outgames
from 26 to 29
July 2006, has
made an important
step forward
this week with
the launch
of the Preliminary
Programme
for the event,
which will be
held at the
Palais des Congrès,
Montréal’s
prestigious
convention centre
(also the venue
for the recent
United Nations
Climate Change
Conference).
It marks the
beginning of
an important
international
recruitment
campaign to
reach individuals
and organisations
in more than
one hundred
countries. Over
the four days
of the Conference,
some 2000 delegates
will discuss
the current
state and the
future of lesbian,
gay, bisexual
and transgender
(LGBT) rights
worldwide.
Already
more
than 800 people
have proposed
workshops
related to the
main Conference
themes: The
essential rights,
global issues,
diversity with
the LGBT community,
participation
in society and
creating social
change.
“The
Conference will
help us to reach
our ultimate
goal, that of
legal and social
justice of the
kind already
enjoyed by more
and more LGBT
people living
in Australia,
New Zealand,
Canada, South
Africa, most
Western European
countries and
in some parts
of the United
States, compared
with those who
live in African,
Asian, Eastern
European and
Latin American
countries,”
said Ms. Joke
Swiebel, Co-President
of the International
Scientific Committee
for the Conference.
The
Declaration
of Montréal
will be adopted
and presented
to delegates
at the close
of the Conference
proceedings.
It will then
be presented
to United Nations
authorities
and to national
governments
to mobilise
unequivocal
support for
the respect
of LGBT rights.
This will be
the legacy of
the Conference,
one that will
be enriched
by the participation
of a large number
of individuals
from a diverse
range of backgrounds
and cultures.
The
International
Conference
on LGBT Human
Rights will
bring to Montréal
legal scholars,
opinion leaders,
academics, researchers,
specialists
and human rights
defenders from
around the world.
With more than
800
delegates already
registered,
the success
of the Conference
in July 2006
is virtually
assured. Objectives
for the Conference,
in terms of
amplitude and
attendance,
will be attained
or even surpassed.
“We
are proud to
have the support
of many internationally
respected partners
in the organisation
of the Conference,
including the
National Gay
and Lesbian
Task Force (the
Task Force),
the National
Organization
for Women (NOW),
the Gay &
Lesbian Athletics
Foundation (GLAF),
Hivos, the International
Gay and Lesbian
Human Rights
Commission,
ILGA-World and
ILGA-Europe,
the COC, the
world’s
oldest LGBT
sport organisation,
based in the
Netherlands,
Homosport Nederland,
Égale
Canada, la Table
de concertation
des organismes
lesbiens et
gais du Québec,
the National
Gay & Lesbian
Chamber of Commerce
(NGLCC) from
the United States
and the European
Association
of Gay Chambers
of Commerce,”
added Ms. Louise
Roy, CEO of
Montréal
2006.
“In
presenting this
ambitious project,
the Outgames
organisers have
demonstrated
their determination
and their vision
in linking the
LGBT sports
movement with
the global fight
for LGBT rights
as human rights.
This was a courageous
decision –
one that we
feel was, without
question, the
correct one.
What the Outgames
and the Conference
have in common
is defending
the human right
of every LGBT
person in the
world to participate
fully, openly
and equally
in every part
of life, without
hiding their
sexual orientation
or gender identity,
including in
every sport,
at every level,
from their neighbourhood
to the Olympic
Games, and at
every age, be
it 18 or 88,”
concluded Mr.
Robert Wintemute,
Co-President
of the International
Scientific Committee.
PARTNER
ORGANISATIONS
FOR THE CONFERENCE
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