May 2010
ICI and Arc Greater Twin Cities Host Zambian Human Rights Leaders
A delegation of 10 Zambian human rights leaders arrived in the Twin Cities on May 2 for five days of advanced leadership training in improving their nation’s policies and supports for Zambians with disabilities and other marginalized groups. The training, sponsored by the Institute on Community Integration (ICI) and Arc Greater Twin Cities, focused on issues and best practices in policies and services that affect individuals with disabilities, children, refugees, women, victims of human trafficking and torture, trauma survivors, and others.
Their visit builds on the earlier work of the Twin Cities-Zambia Disability Connection, a partnership of ICI and four community organizations that provided leadership training focused exclusively on disability policy and services for a similar delegation that visited Minnesota in 2008. This year’s delegation of 10 included religious leaders, educators, social service providers, and advocates who, during their five days here, participated in training sessions and visits with representatives of ICI, the University’s School of Social Work, Arc Greater Twin Cities, the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Minnesota Council of Churches, the Center for Victims of Torture, Brian Coyle Community Center, and the Neighborhood Legal Center. In their morning classroom sessions held at Arc GTC and afternoon meetings with the other organizations in the community they addressed topics including: the foundation of human rights and UN Declaration of Rights; domestic violence; child welfare; native American issues; refugee issues; disability in southern Africa; the sex trade, gender issues and sexuality; disability rights and best practice; refugee resettlement; mental health treatment for refugees and other survivors of serious trauma; and non-governmental organization management, budgeting and funding
“The leaders from Zambia were here to learn about practices and policies in the United States that might be replicated with modifications in Zambia. They were also here to teach the training team about their issues, challenges and approaches to practice and policy. Each member of the Zambian delegation has their own interest and focus related to social justice and human rights. As a team they are hopeful to join forces and messages in their own country to improve practices and policies that promote human rights, dignity and equal opportunity,” observes Amy Hewitt, ICI’s director of the Twin Cities-Zambia Disability Connection.
The delegates were teacher Kaunda Mwila; social justice advocates Paul Chintu, Talele Tembo, Isaac and Angela Chapewa, and Aaron Zulu; Catholic priest John Lesa; friar Kabaso Mwape Evaristo; and Catholic sisters Martha Banda and Charity Lydia Katongo Nkandu. Once they return to Zambia, the delegation will continue to meet and promote change through collaboration and further networking. A team from ICI will join them in the Fall 2010 to provide additional training in Zambia.
FFI, contact Amy at hewit005@umn.edu, 612-625-1098 or visit http://twincitieszambiadisabilityconnection.blogspot.com.