For photos of the 1^st International Human Rights Day Student Symposium visit:

http://picasaweb.google.com/theklalit/1stIHRDSSDec10#

http://picasaweb.google.com/theklalit/1stIHRDSSDec11#

Feedbacks from Students

Below are the best 3 selected submissions from students attended the

1^st International Human Rights Day Student Symposium (listed in alphabetical order of their names）

Jimmy Lou

Seaquam Secondary School

Thank you so much for a wonderful learning experience today in the “Human Rights in the Asia –Pacific Workshop.” I hope this paragraph explains a little bit of what I have gotten out of today.

It is not often can students be endowed with such opportunity as to explore the atrocities of war, humans’ capacity of extreme harm to one another and the detrimental effects of war crime all in one day. However, today, I not only learned that these unfathomable ideas exist but also witnessed the indescribable pain that the victims have experienced.

To be honest, before coming to this workshop, I have never truly understood what is so horrific or harmful about a war. Growing up, I was sheltered at homes, protected by parents and treated equally in society that I’ve never had to worry about malice soldiers, constant bombing or fighting in war. In school, I never really had to understand what people went through, and as a result, their deaths and suffering simply became meaningless words that I had to remember.

Today, I felt, for the first time, greatly disturbed and concerned about what had happened in these past events. The Rape of Nanking, for example, was no longer an event with “lots of death and unhappy people”, but rather one with boys, much like myself, who were helplessly stripped of family, girls and women who were brutally raped and murdered, or soldiers who were tortured and killed. It was human hell, and I could see that clearly and sorrowfully.

In the end, I was dumbfounded with the images, films and the first hand recounts of war to which I was exposed. Despite being a rude awakening, this experience has provided me with the lifelong lesson of not taking human sufferings lightly and always trying to help others, for if people had taken notice of the severity of events like Nanking Massacre amidst these crises, much damage could have been reduced or even avoided. Ultimately, I thank all the lecturers in today’s workshop and I hope to one day spread the awareness that you have all kindly sent to me!

Tony Nguyen

Vancouver Technical Secondary

The Symposium held today on Human rights in the Asia-Pacific during the years of 1931-1945 was one of the most significant and, I feel, important trips I have made in regards to furthering my education. Up to this point I, like many others, had been more or less ignorant of the events that occurred in that region over 60 years ago. I wasn't even aware that 10 December was Universal Human Rights Day. There is no doubt that this is a troubling circumstance. However, this symposium, without which I would never have had the opportunity to gain a more in depth study of the various atrocities committed at that time, is a fantastic contribution to the education of students.

It's a pity that there remain so many other aspects of it to cover. I was shocked to see that there existed a text available to schools that taught about this. I can't understand why it was that so few of us student had had access to it, let alone having ever seen it before. I was further shocked when I heard the admissions of Mr. Raymond Lemoine and Ms. Karen Symonds during my afternoon seminar; that they, two educated persons involved in the study and teaching of history, had been unaware of such a significant part of history for so many years. I am still confused as to the fact that the school system has still taken such little efforts to address these issues, especially when there is a readily accessible text on the subject.

I don't mean to be critical, however, I see now that the effects of these events still resonates not only personally in survivors and those directly affected, but on society and the politics of today. I was also disgusted at learning of the Japanese company who attempted to play a role reversal in compensating those affected and, instead of taking true responsibility, took to furthering injustice.

In closing, I'm impressed with the efforts of those involved with the symposium to try and inform students. It's only unfortunate that, despite this being a great step forward, there are still so many ignorant of the facts I was able to learn today.

Catherine Torres.

Fraser Heights Secondary School

Hi there, my name is Catherine Torres. I am a student from Fraser Heights Secondary School and I am in grade 11. I attended the Rape of Nanking and Biochemical Warfare Workshop. Personally, I have found it extraordinarily thought provoking. At first I said to myself, “how unfortunate that this had to happen to Nanking citizens.” I’m not saying that I don’t have sympathy or empathy for these situations that is still play backing in the hearts and minds of many witnesses and people.  It’s more of the lack of courage and inspiration keeping me glued on the side that says, “What kind of difference can I make?”

My favourite was the Rape of Nanking Workshop. Having the opportunity to attend the Rape of Nanking Workshop made me think and firmly ask myself a series of questions, “What am I going to do now, now that I heard this story? What is my responsibility? How am I going to react? Am I going to condone what has happened here?” I mean, I do understand that this has happened at 1937, and to some people, it is no longer relevant. However, I cannot help but ignore the fact that what we call history, is still occurring as we speak. It is not only in the seen world that we see the brutality and atrocity, but also in the unseen world where it is much worse because that is the very place where seed is planted, resulting to the situations and events that happen out in the seen world. A lot of us may not notice it because of the lack of recognition. However, I am not leading to a depressing little essay but I am proud to have learned more about those who stepped up and had the courage and strength at that time to do anything and everything they can do to help as much as citizens in Nanking.

As we all know, we all have our own beliefs and values, for me, I am a Christian. I believe in God. I believe that Jesus came down to earth to die for us so that we may believe and be saved. In having that knowledge of God and finding Hope in Him when no hope is found is something extravagantly important. I relate it to all that has happened in the Rape of Nanking. A lot of people found hopelessness not only during those times but right now because of what had happened. Instead of always looking at the disasters and traumas that had occurred, why not give hope to the hopeless? Through prayer by faith, like what the few missionaries that stayed behind to help out the Nanking citizens did. The situations that seem impossible in our point of view, is not one bit impossible in God’s view.

In the end of all this thinking, it leads us back to this question, “What is my responsibility?”