Wilberforce Lecture to address China’s human rights Olympics
As the Beijing Olympics come to a close, the Wilberforce Lecture Trust is addressing the future of the host city's human rights policy at their next lecture, in partnership with Amnesty International.
Bernard O’Hear, Amnesty Internationals China Country Coordinator will deliver the lecture entitled: ‘China: The Year of The Human Rights Olympics’ on Wednesday 27th August, at the Guildhall, starting at 7:30pm.
The free event will address how China helped give the world the idea of human rights but as a country do not give its people the benefits these rights bring. Have the Olympics put enough focus onto China to change their ways, will be a question asked at the lecture.
Wilberforce Lecture Trust Chair, Cllr Colin Inglis is looking forward to the challenging lecture, he said: “On a general level, the Olympics provide a platform for the world’s sports men and women to excel for their country under the Olympics ethos of promoting unity, inclusion and opportunity.
“China, despite being the host country doesn’t afford these ideals to its own people, the work that Amnesty International is doing aims to rectify this which Bernard is leading on.”
The Wilberforce Lecture Trust was established in Hull in the early 1990’s in what seemed then, briefly as it turned out, an optimistic time for the world with dictatorships collapsing across the globe.
The Trust purpose was, at a local level, to enhance knowledge and understanding about the benefits of democracy and the acceptance of human rights and highlight their abuse.
During the 2007 bicentennial year of the passing of the Slave Trade Act, the parliamentary fight of which was led by Hull’s William Wilberforce, the Trust commissioned 5 special lectures to mark the year. They were delivered by Archbishop Fitzgerald, Prime Minister of Barbados, Archbishop of Canterbury, Prime Minster of Mauritius and the Archbishop of York.
Tickets are free for the lecture and can be collected from the Hull City Hall Box Office. Alternatively simply turn up on the night, although those who have obtained tickets prior to the event will be given priority for seating. For more information please call on (01482) 226655.
Published: 21/08/08
