Tuesday, October 20, 2009
9:00 A.M.
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269

Conference overview:
This conference is convened to discuss the intimate linkage between health in its various dimensions and human rights. At this critical period in history, as nations engage in robust debates about whether health care is a right, a privilege or a responsibility, conference speakers will provide a practical framework to highlight the fundamental importance of health to the enjoyment of human rights and will ask us to consider how to translate an ideal of universal health care into the lives of people.

Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Henri Atlan, Professor Emeritus of Biophysics at the
University of Paris VI and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Director of the Human Biology, Research Center and Scholar in residence for studies in Philosophy and Ethics of Biology Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem.

Speakers to include:

Ms. Patricia Baker, President & CEO of the
Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health)

Dr. Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Professor of Epidemiology
& Public Health, Yale School of Public Health & Director, UConn Center for Eliminating Health Disparities among Latinos

Dr. Judy Norsigian, Executive Director and a founder of the Boston Women's Health Book Collective

Dr. Fouzia Rhissassi, Co-Chairholder of UNESCO Chair on Women and their Rights, Morocco

Dr. Mila Rosenthal, Executive Director of
HealthRight International, Inc.

Mr. Yehenew Tsegaye Walilegne, Health and Human Rights Officer, Department of Ethics, Equity, Trade and Human Rights / Information, Evidence and Research, World Health Organization

Dr. Kaethe Weingarten, Founder and Director of the Witnessing Project and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology, Harvard Medical School

Ms. Alicia Ely Yamin, Joseph H. Flom Fellow on Global Health and Human Rights at Harvard Law School, Instructor at the Harvard School of Public Health and Special Advisor to Amnesty International’s global campaign on poverty: Demand Dignity

Preliminary Schedule of Activities

8:30 a.m.
General Registration (outside Student Union Theatre)

9:00 a.m.
Greetings and Keynote Address
Student Union Theatre

Keynote by Dr. Henri Atlan, Professor Emeritus of Biophysics,
University of Paris VI & Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Director of
Research in Philosophy of Biology at the EHESS Paris

Q&A

10:15 a.m.
Panel Session I – Health, Nutrition & Human Rights/Universal Healthcare and Health Inequalities
Student Union Theatre

Overview by Dr. Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, Professor of Epidemiology & Public Health, Yale School of Public Health & Director, UConn Center for Eliminating Health Disparities among Latinos     

• Ms. Patricia Baker, President and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation
  
• Ms. Alicia Ely Yamin, Joseph H. Flom Fellow on Global Health and Human Rights at Harvard Law School and Instructor, Harvard School of Public Health
  
• Mr. Yehenew Tsegaye Walilegne, Health and Human Rights Officer, Department of Ethics, Equity, Trade and Human Rights / Information, Evidence and Research, World Health Organization

Q&A

11:45 p.m.
Break

1:00 p.m.
Panel Session II – Health & Wellbeing: Focus on Women and Children
Student Union Room 304

Moderated by Bandana Purkayastha, Professor of Sociology and Asian American Studies

• Dr. Mila Rosenthal, Executive Director of HealthRight International, Inc.
  
• Dr. Kaethe Weingarten, Founder and Director of the Witnessing Project and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School
  
• Dr. Fouzia Rhissassi, Co-Chairholder of UNESCO Chair on Women and their Rights, Morocco
• Dr. Judy Norsigian, Executive Director and a founder of the Boston Women's Health Book Collective
  

Q&A

2:30 p.m.
Break

2:45 p.m.
Closing Address
Speaker: Ms. Barbara Hogan, Former South African Minister of Health (invited)

3:15 p.m.
Q&A

3:30 p.m.
Session Ends

Directions to the University of Connecticut, Storrs:

Travel I-84 east/west to exit 68.  Travel south on Route 195 straight through intersection with Route 32.  At intersection of Route 195 and Route 44 (Mansfield Four Corners) proceed straight approximately 1.5 miles to the Storrs Campus.

North Parking Garage:
From Route 195, turn right onto North Eagleville Road (Congregational Church on right).  At the second light, turn left onto North Hillside Road.  At the first stop sign, turn left.  The entrance to the North Parking Garage will be immediately on your left.

Student Union Theatre:
Upon exiting the North Parking Garage, walk straight up Hillside Road.  The Student Union is the second building on your left.

http://www.uconn.edu/campuses/storrs.php