Concept

 

The modern world is evolving at an unprecedented rate. Globalisation has dramatically altered the spread of information, materials and people, with wide-reaching political, economic and social effects. As a result of technological, scientific and medical innovation the reality of international politics in 21st century will be drastically different than anything previously experienced. This is reflected in the relationships between political bodies, the increasing political power of non-governmental organisations and the changing face of accountability through the increasing number of global actors with a voice as a result of technological development. Human rights are by definition fundamental and do not change; However, they exist within a greater context, and the rapid change to the world around them means that the ways in which they can be both violated and protected changes within that context.

 

This Conference will discuss the theoretical and practical effects that modernisation has had in the field of human rights and the resulting changes to the considerations necessary when setting the humanitarian agenda in the 21st century. It will consider the impact of globalisation, population growth, growing income inequality and recent technological, medical and scientific innovations on both the question of what constitutes a human right and on the way protection is afforded, both theoretically and practically. The effect modernisation has had will be looked at both in terms of the changing relevance of specified individual rights, and more generally, with reference to the parameter of the definition of a human right, and the question as to what level of proximity is necessary for an actor to be held accountable for its violation.

This Conference will first examine of the effect of modernisation on two specific and established human rights which are currently guaranteed by international law. It will examine what effect it has had on the context within which these rights exist, and determine whether the impact of these changes has been significant enough to warrant stricter protection, restructuring, or a complete re-defining of the rights in question. These questions will be examined through a specific assessment of the Right to Privacy and the Right to Food.

The conference will then break into smaller committees to consider the effect that modernisation has had on the conceptual definition of a human right and focus especially on the required proximity between an action and consequently violated rights. It will consider the question of whether, as a result of globalisation, and the increasingly widening- reach of the decisions of those in high-power positions, we should broaden the proximity required between the perpetrator and the victim of a human rights infringement. This will be assessed with specific reference to a possible human right against corruption, and a possible human right to greater environmental regulation. Delegates, based on what they have heard in the morning, will be encouraged to vote on the adoption of a new '21st Century Right' having spent the afternoon discussing its advantages and disadvantages. Should any or all of the Rights be voted through, OxLWOB in conjunction with the other Student Divisions will work to launch research panels and activate pressure groups/lobby initiatives to get the right on the Human Rights Agenda.