Emory’s Institute of Human Rights Receives Grant to Support International Conference

Deb Hammacher
Associate Director, University Media Relations
Phone: 404-727-0644 

Emory University’s Institute of Human Rights has received a $230,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support its international conference “Lessons Learned From Rights-Based Approaches to Public Health”that took place April 14-16.

Nearly 400 public health and development professionals from more than 40 nations gathered at Emory for the three-day conference to explore the application of human rights theory to public health policymaking. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter gave the opening session address and the keynote address was given by Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former United Nations high commissioner for human rights.

The conference addressed topics such as the impact of war and terrorism on public health, refugee and internally displaced persons, infectious disease control, children’s health, racism and health, reparations for human rights abuses, human trafficking and sexual/reproductive health, among many others. Co-sponsors included the World Health Organization, CARE USA, the human rights offices of The Carter Center, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Doctors for Global Health.

To view the full press release, visit Emory University’s Web site.