“How Disaster Relief Protects Human Rights - Responding to Wars, Earthquakes and Other Global Disasters” City of West Hollywood’s Human Rights Speakers Series Set for Wednesday, October 17, 2012

WEST HOLLYWOOD--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The next installment of the City of West Hollywood’s popular Human Rights Speakers Series will focus on human rights and disaster relief. “How Disaster Relief Protects Human Rights - Responding to Wars, Earthquakes and Other Global Disasters” will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the West Hollywood Library, 625 N. San Vicente Boulevard in West Hollywood. The lecture will begin promptly at 7 p.m., followed by a “Call to Action” dessert reception. (Watch LIVE on Time Warner Cable Channel 10 - WehoTV or at www.weho.org/tv)

“With each disaster we often find ourselves at a crossroad. How do we provide relief efforts in a time of crisis and ensure that human rights principles are applied?” said West Hollywood Councilmember John Heilman. “We often have to confront human rights challenges when people are in a crisis as a result of a natural occurrence, war, or other tragic circumstances. But providing disaster relief and human rights are intertwined. Sometimes the need for relief is triggered by serious human rights violations. And relief efforts can go awry if human rights are not respected while relief is provided. It is critical that we work both to provide relief to communities in need while we also safeguard and promote human rights,” continued Councilmember Heilman.

Speakers will include Richard M. Walden, President/CEO and Founder of Operation USA (also known as Operation California); John Maris, Senior Vice President of Programs for Relief International; Margaret Aguirre, Director of Global Communications for International Medical Corps; and Nazar Emmanuel Yeghia, International Rescue Committee.

Other topics planned in the lecture series will include “Human Rights and the International AIDS Crisis;” “Women and Human Rights: The Global Challenge;” and “Challenges for LGBT Rights Activists Around the Globe.”

The highly-successful City of West Hollywood’s Human Rights Speakers Series was established to bring together diverse communities to learn about and discuss global, national and local human rights issues in a supportive environment. It is a continuation of the City of West Hollywood’s core value of Respect and Support for People.

Free validated parking will be available in the 5-story West Hollywood Park Parking Garage. For more information or to RSVP, please call [phone].

CO-SPONSORING GROUPS

Operation USA

Operation USA (also known as Operation California), is a Los Angeles-based non-governmental organization specializing in disaster relief as well as international and domestic health care and economic development projects. Privately funded, Operation USA has worked in more than 100 countries since 1979 and has provided more than $375 million in aid and development assistance.

Operation USA also serves more than 200 California non-profit community clinics with medical supplies and disaster preparedness training. After the earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011, Operation USA sent shelter materials, communications equipment and bulk amounts of new clothing, with a seniors center in the planning stages as of late 2011.

Relief International

Relief International is a humanitarian non-profit agency that provides emergency relief, rehabilitation, development assistance, and program services to vulnerable communities worldwide. Relief International is solely dedicated to reducing human suffering and is non-political and non-sectarian in its mission.

International Medial Corp

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, non-profit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, non-political, non-sectarian organization.

International Rescue Committee

Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises. In more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, it offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

City of West Hollywood
Tamara T. White
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Helen J. Goss, Esq.
Director, Public Information and Prosecution Services
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Source: City of West Hollywood