dougnoll’s posthaven

Segment 1: Human Rights Education.

Here in the U.S. we generally take many of our basic rights for granted. In many countries, however, tyranny, power, greed and corruption act to deny basic human rights. Even in countries where human rights are respected, the average citizen has little knowledge of what those rights are. Schools do not teach human rights concepts and students who are ignorant of their basic rights do not step up to assert them. Our guest on this edition of The Doug Noll Show is Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, founder and president of Youth for Human Rights International. Dr. Suttleworth will discuss her amazing organization as well as her passion for human rights education around the globe.

Dr. Shuttleworth was born and raised in apartheid South Africa, and even as a young child was intensely aware of the devastating effects of discrimination. As an adult she found that discrimination is not only a South African issue, but a global issue that needs to be addressed at an international level. The mission of Youth for Human Rights International (YFHRI) is to teach youth about human rights and inspire them to become advocates for tolerance and peace. The education is based around the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was signed into being in 1948 after the abuses of WWII.

Segment 2: Human Rights, Tolerance and Peace.

There is a direct relationship between human rights, tolerance and peace. When we teach human rights, we are also teaching responsibility. We need to ask ourselves, “What is MY responsibility?” We all want basic human rights for ourselves, but the trick is to want them for others. Discrimination is not born in the heart of a child. It stems from learned lessons - not always overt - from culture, genetics, and environment.

Segment 3: Radical Reevaluation Needed.

Youth for Human Rights International works with youth of all ages. They can teach the concept of human rights to kids at a very young age (i.e. sharing, working together, etc.). It is essential that we teach human rights in our schools. We have “zero tolerance policies” in schools but we need a radical reevaluation of the use of power and coercion to control our own fears and anxieties about our environment. Parents need to spend more time with their kids to development good communication skills and deep empathic connections.

Segment 4: A Global Concept.

YFHRI does not have a problem keeping their teachings culturally appropriate as they travel from culture to culture. Basic human rights is a global concept. The declaration is a universal document and the material they use to teach human rights applies to all cultures. It’s imperative that the youth understand the concept that these human rights belong to EVERYONE. In order to make this happen, it takes money, support and volunteers. To get involved or find out more about the Dr. Shuttleworth’s organization, go to www.youthforhumanrights.org.

To listen to the compete interview:

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Segment 1: The Globalization of Love.

On this edition of The Doug Noll Show we speak with Wendy Williams, author of The Globalisation of Love, a book about multicultural romance and marriage. Wendy has lived in 6 different countries and has worked internationally for 18 years. She is Canadian, married to an Austrian, and lives in Vienna, Austria with their daughter. Wendy’s book is based on dozens of interviews with multicultural couples from around the world and includes chapters on multicultural weddings, religion, race, food, language and children.

Segment 2: The Increase in Multicultural Relationships.

Wendy was born into a multicultural environment and grew up in a multicultural family. At an early age she recognized cultural differences. She says there is no specific “formula” for what makes a multicultural relationship work. It’s all about the individuals involved. Her advice for young people getting into multicultural relationships is to start asking questions very early in the relationship and become educated about your partner’s culture and his or her reactions to certain situations. That way, instead of assuming your partner is stubborn and big-headed, you realize they are just acting according to the cultural norm for the society from which they come. Sit together and ask questions. Listen. Don’t make assumptions.

So why are there so many multicultural relationships these days? Wendy believes the increase is due to having more opportunities to meet. People are traveling more for business and pleasure. The internet is also a big factor, as technology has enabled people to stay in contact cheaply and conveniently. With ongoing globalization, society is becoming much more accepting of multi-cultural relationships.

Segment 3: Meeting the Parents.

Imagine meeting the parents for the first time: you are jet-lagged from flying to a new country, you don’t speak the language, there’s the issue of accommodations, and you go from being complete strangers to sharing a bathroom together very quickly. Often the native family wants to impress the incoming person and goes overboard with local activities and celebrations, which just adds to the pressure. Family relationships can be quite intense, and you can imagine the conflict that can arise when a family is not educated about other cultures and lifestyles.

Segment 4: The Path to Peace.

Multicultural children usually go through a period of questioning, “Who am I? What am I? Where do I belong in the world?” Wendy has found that they usually gravitate toward one parent or the other, which can be difficult. On the other hand, these children grow up knowing a world of differences which enables them to be very open and accepting of different people and ways of doing things. The globalization of love is the path to peace. Multicultural families prove every day that their families are “ambassadors for world peace.” They promote acceptance and tolerance. The modern multicultural relationship is defined by the individuals within it, not by society.

To listen to the complete interview: 

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Segment 4