The Center for the Study of Human Rights has launched the Human Rights Portal at Columbia University, listing the array of University resources on this topic. The site links to information on events, academic programs, institutes and other human rights resources on both the Morningside and Health Science campuses in addition to human rights teaching tools. Also, a comprehensive listing of human rights faculty and courses will be an invaluable tool for students interested in human rights.

"Columbia University possesses the most diversified set of human rights programs and courses in the world," said J. Paul Martin, executive director of the Center for the Study of Human Rights. "The new portal provides students and faculty as well as outsiders with a road map to these rich resources. Many of the sites use multi-media presentations on major issues created by Columbia experts that are useful for teaching."

This website is a collaborative effort among participants from Columbia and Barnard Colleges, Arts and Sciences, the School of International and Public Affairs, the Law School, the Graduate School of Journalism and the Mailman School of Public Health, all of which have human rights programs or institutes.

This consortium will formally launch the site at a reception on Wednesday, October 17, 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Lecture Room, Third Floor, Graduate School of Journalism (RSVP to 4-2479 or humanrights@columbia.edu). The reception will include demonstrations of the portal's websites, which are designed to enhance human rights teaching and learning.

One of the innovative features of the website is the teaching tools it houses. Developed in collaboration with groups of faculty, these websites can be used in a variety of disciplines and courses in human rights. The multi-media tools being developed include case studies and textual commentaries, beginning with one on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Founded in 1978, the Center for the Study of Human Rights is one of the oldest university-based human rights institutions. It has pioneered the promotion of human rights research, education and training at Columbia University and overseas. At Columbia, in addition to the Human Rights Program at the School of International and Public Affairs, the Center has helped develop the independent human rights programs at the Law School, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Columbia College and Barnard College.

The Center's overseas activities emphasize building the advocacy and research capacities of universities and local non-governmental organizations, most notably in Africa and Latin America. Fifteen human rights advocates participate in the Center's annual Human Rights Advocates Training Program. The main research programs of the Center focus on religion and human rights, human rights and corporate responsibility and human rights education.