What is Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education?
- a non-profit organization founded in Montreal in 1967.
Who founded Equitas?
- eminent Canadians, including John Humphrey, one of the drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Thérèse Casgrain, campaigner for women’s right to vote in Quebec; justice Harry Batshaw, first Canadian Superior Court Judge of Jewish Origin; and jurist Paul-André Crépeau who coordinated the reform of the Civil Code in Quebec.
Our Mission
- Equitas advances equality, social justice and respect for human dignity through transformative human rights education programs in Canada and around the world.
What do we do?
- Equitas programs equip human rights defenders and educators as well as children and youth with the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to promote human rights values and to combat inequality, exclusion and other forms of human rights abuse.
How do we work?
- Equitas’ programs employ a participatory approach that empowers individuals and communities to find their own innovative and effective solutions to the human rights challenges they face.
- Equitas works in partnership with civil society organizations, government agencies in Canada and around the world.
What are the results?
- More than 3,500 Human Rights defenders from over 100 countries have attended the International Human Rights Training Program in Montreal over the past 35 years;
- Over 1,800 registered alumni part of a vibrant online community of human rights educators and advocates around the globe;
- More than 1.6 million beneficiaries between 2008-2013 at an average cost of $6/person reached (less than the price of two coffees);
- More than 400,000 children and youth aged 6-18 learning about human rights values, in 31 communities across Canada;
- Equitas’ Programs are made possible thanks to a staff of 25 employees and 19 board members who altogether cumulate more than 200 years of human rights experience in Canada and abroad.
How are our programs funded?
- Equitas’ Programs are supported by the generous contribution of its individual donors and institutional supporters, including Aimia, TD Bank, RBC, Air Canada, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, the European Union and many more.
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