Malala to speak in Edinburgh – Assaults over the weekend – Edinburgh’s Memorandum of Understanding with Shenzhen – Greyfriars Bobby – Southsiders
Former UK Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Gordon Brown, MP, is to lead a Global Citizenship Commission to be held this month at the University of Edinburgh. Speaking at the event will be education and womens’ rights campaigner Malala Yousafzai.
The Commission will see distinguished leaders gather in Edinburgh to re-examine the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and discuss the many global developments since its passing over 60 years ago.
Global leaders representing politics, religious institutions, law and philanthropy will debate the issues on 18 October 2013.
Following the private meeting, the Commission will hold a public hearing, funded by the Carnegie UK Trust, on 19 October 2013 that will allow members of the civic and academic communities, as well as the public at large, to voice their views. Questions will be put to the Commissioners during the event, while written questions will also be able to be submitted, to contribute to the Commission’s official record.
The former UK Prime Minister who also serves as UN Special Envoy for Global Education, said:- “The debate around ethics and the protection of human rights is as important today as it was in 1948, when the Universal Declaration was signed.
“This Commission brings together global leaders in the field of ethics and citizenship, and crucially allows members of the public to join the debate. After all, it is their rights of global citizens that this historic document enshrines.”
Sixteen-year-old Malala will be guest of honour at the public event where she will also address the Commission. Voted one of the world’s 100 most influential people, Malala began blogging for the BBC in 2009 about her life in Pakistan’s Swat Valley region and her desire to attend school safely and freely.
Her increasing profile in the global media and her campaigns for universal education and women’s rights brought her into direct conflict with the Taliban, members of which attempted to assassinate her in October 2012.
Just over a year later, Malala is set to address the first ever public meeting of the Global Citizenship Commission, which will be discussing human rights and the responsibility of the international community to uphold them around the world.
Martyn Evans, Chief Executive of Carnegie UK Trust, the key supporter of the public event, said:-“Malala is a person that the world takes notice of. She has shown incredible bravery in her drive to speak out for the rights of women and the universal right to education. This event is all about listening to the challenges of the modern world and I can’t think of a better ambassador or teacher than Malala.”
NYU President John Sexton said:- “NYU is excited to be working closely with such an outstanding and learned leader in Mr Brown, and is proud to provide the support necessary to convene this talented and experienced group of Commissioners from across the world. In many ways, the work of the Commission mirrors NYU’s concept of the Global Network University, which is focused on creating a safe academic space for students from myriad backgrounds to come together to learn from one another.”
The Commission’s work will be academically underpinned by the efforts of a Philosophers’ Committee, led by NYU/Oxford University Professor Jeremy Waldron, which has already convened and is expected to provide essential intellectual context to the Commission’s efforts.
University of Edinburgh Principal, Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea, said:-“The University is delighted to welcome this important Commission to Edinburgh. How we understand and promote human rights is a matter of global significance and it is a privilege to host the first public hearing of the Commission.”
This event will be held in the McEwan Hall and will be open to the public. More information about tickets will be available closer to the event.
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Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses after three people were assaulted in the city centre over the weekend.
The incident happened around 1am on Sunday 29th September on Frederick Street near to Amicus Apple.
Two men, aged 24 and 30, and a 23-year-old woman had been out drinking together when one of the men bumped into another male, causing a fight to start, which others then intervened in.
During the disturbance the woman was knocked to the ground and sustained a fractured jaw.
The suspects all made off towards Princes Street.
Officers are now urging anyone who witnessed this attack to come forward.
Detective Constable Lynne Baxter said:- “The female victim suffered a broken jaw, which required hospital treatment, while her friends sustained minor injuries to their heads and faces.
“We are conducting various lines of enquiry to trace those responsible for this mindless act of violence and anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious in Frederick Street in the early hours of Sunday morning is asked to contact police immediately.
“Similarly, anyone with information that can assist with our investigation is also asked to get in touch.”
Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Today’s Corporate Policy and Strategy Committee will hear a report about the Lord Provost’s three day visit to China at the end of June along with Humza Yousaf MSP the Scottish Minister for External Affairs and Anne MacColl the Chief Executive of Scottish Development International.
During the visit the Lord Provost signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Vice Mayor of Shenzhen which will encourage both cities to establish a joint International Creative Industry Incubation Centre. This document is aimed at bringing benefits to Edinburgh in the form of shared development by encouraging discussion and business relationships. This should mean more business between the two.
In December 2013 a performance group based in Edinburgh will travel to Shenzhen for Culture and Art Week, and it appears that the council will offer some kind of support, although whether that is financial or not is not clear from the report.
A business and civic delegation is expected to visit Edinburgh before the end of the year to demonstrate the wealth of culture and creativity here which businesses in Shenzhen can perhaps tap into and connect with. A further visit to China is also planned for autumn 2014. The cost of the visit by the Lord Provost who was accompanied by the City Officer and a member of the council’s Investor Support Team.
The Lord Provost was interviewed by the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily which had a full page feature on Edinburgh including its history, culture economic development and quality of life here.
If you have a business which already trades with Shenzhen then please tell us about it, and whether this Memorandum will help you.
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The Edinburgh Reporter has an important photo call today at Greyfriars. The statue of Scotland’s most famous dog, Greyfriars Bobby, is to get a facelift this week following a Facebook campaign that highlighted how the practice of rubbing the statue’s nose for luck was wearing off the colour on his nose.
Today the bronze sculpture conservation and restoration specialists, Powderhall Bronze, will undertake work to clean, re-patinate and wax Bobby’s nose to restore the black colour that had been lost over time. And we will be there to see how they are doing it!
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Screening & Panel Discussion Event
At 7pm on Friday 4 October 2013, the Causey Development Trust is hosting a celebratory free public event at the Southside Community Centre, 117 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9ER and they would be delighted if you would join them.
Inspired by the project, the evening will begin with a screening of Either Side of a Second – a short film by George Joseph Miller IV documenting the creative working process of project photographer Peter Dibdin. Following the screening, there will be a discussion and audience question and answer session exploring perceptions around the identity of the Southside community and the impact of portrait photography.
Their panel guests include:
Ron Butlin, Edinburgh Makar / Poet Laureate, prize-winning novelist and poet, proud Southsider, and contributor to the project’s special edition publication
Ginnie Atkinson, Panel Chair, Arts Consultant, and Business Manager at Stills Gallery
Robin Gillanders, photographic artist, writer, and lecturer/Reader in Photography at Edinburgh Napier University for 30 years
Prof. Richard Rodger, Professor of Economic and Social History at the University of Edinburgh University, and one of the project participants
Peter Dibdin, professional photographer based at Summerhall, and commissioned artist on the project
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
