We live in a world where horrific human rights violations occur, like the recent mass shootings of 50 Muslim worshippers in two Christchurch mosques.

This is a world where several countries sentence LGBTQ individuals to death, China has detained over a million Uyghur Muslims, and Canada arrests First Nations people for peacefully trying to protect their traditional lands.

With many struggles happening worldwide, it is easy to believe that the international human rights movement is in jeopardy.

The Salt Spring Forum's upcoming speaker - Harvard Human Rights Professor Kathryn Sikkink - argues that there is still evidence for hope. She joins the Forum in discussion on Wednesday, March 15th at 7:30 PM at ArtSpring.

Sikkink is Professor of Human Rights Policy at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where she works on international norms and institutions, transnational advocacy networks, the impact of human rights law and policies, and transitional justice.

Sikkink’s latest book, Evidence for Hope: Making Human Rights Work in the 21st Century, draws on decades of research and fieldwork to rebut pessimism about the state of human rights and their supporting institutions. Sikkink argues that although change comes slowly and as the result of struggle, human rights movements have been incredibly effective over the long term.

A former Fulbright Scholar and Guggenheim Fellow, Professor Sikkink is a member of the American Philosophical Society, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Council on Foreign Relations.

What is the history of human rights? What is the current state of human rights? How can human rights advances be supported and sustained?

Let's discuss these issues and more with the highly insightful Harvard Human Rights Professor Kathryn Sikkink!

Children's entertainer Raffi Cavoukiani, who is founder of the Raffi Foundation and an advocate for children's rights, will moderate the discussion.

Tickets: ArtSpring - 250-537-2102 & online - & Salt Spring Books. $15 - 2019 Forum Members; $20 - General. Complimentary tickets available upon request for those in need and for students by contacting forum@saltspringforum.com.

*This event is generously sponsored by Country Grocer.