Of all the changes occurring in the 21st century in Canada, none is more sweeping than the way our population is changing.  As we grow more and more diverse from every perspective, the decisions we make surrounding human rights will become more critical.  In this program, Stephen Hammond will help us look at three positive steps we can take to insure our organizations and our communities not only keep pace with these profound changes, but actually take the lead in securing fair and equitable treatment for everyone.

Leaders at work and in the community.  People working for a better Canada will get valuable information, insights and inspiration from this presentation.  Many people are concerned, or downright afraid to tackle issues of human rights head on.  However, those workplaces, communities and even countries that have not made positive and pro-active steps to embrace the changes around them, often get left behind, or worse.  In this session, we will hear Stephen Hammond, an expert who has studied human rights issues for almost two decades, outline the steps we all must take to create a fair and equitable environment for all Canadians, whether their family has been here for generations, or just arrived.  Hammond will help us appreciate the hard work done by those who have gone before us in the realm of human rights…and, more importantly, what we must do now to keep pace with the growing change in our population.  This is a message you want to hear.

“Your presentation style and skills ensured the audience was engaged and your message was powerful, relevant and contemporary. Using current and provocative examples, you were able to address issues of stereotyping and discrimination that left people realizing there is so much to do. You also succeeded in taking the complexities of human rights and making them understandable. What was especially enjoyable was your humour. Using humour and irony, you were able to make points that are sometimes hard to make; yet when it came to the tough issues, you didn’t sugar coat your message. Conference participants truly appreciated your message.”

David Reid
Chairman, Saskatoon Chapter
Interprovincial Association on Native Employment

Stephen Hammond, B.A., LL.B., CSP, is a lawyer turned workplace and community human rights speaker and educator.  His Bachelor of Arts in political studies is from the University of Manitoba and his Bachelor of Laws degree is from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto.  Stephen is the author of Managing Human Rights at Work: 101 practical tips to prevent human rights disasters and Steps in the Rights Direction: 365 human rights celebrations and tragedies that inspired Canada and the world.  Stephen is a member of the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers and the International Federation for Professional Speakers. In 2008 Stephen was one of only 5 Canadians to receive the designation of CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) which is the “most prestigious earned designation for platform excellence” by the International Federation. Fewer than 10% of the Federation members hold this designation including just 43 Canadians.