Despite the enormous diversity of interests represented at that consultation, the deliberations of that day resulted in the beginnings of an action-oriented consensus. The participants first discussed possible strategies for informing their own constituencies of the relevance of the Universal Declaration and subsequently about the feasibility of forming a loose coalition of groups for the anniversary year, 1983. The coalition would consist of the groups which would endorse and commit themselves to the following general principles:

1. Agree that it is worthwhile to celebrate the 35th Anniversary
   
   
2. Support the implementation of the Universal Declaration in the Canadian context
   
   
3. Accept the obligation to communicate the principles of the Declaration to their publics.

At the time of writing, each participating organization was taking final internal steps to affirm commitment to this program. In the meantime, the Planning Group is proceeding to develop a number of options for the national celebration and is exploring funding possibilities. It will undoubtedly act as a clearinghouse as well, to ensure a smooth flow of information among participating Coalition members.

What all of this means to members of CCLOW is that your organization will be offering to you information and possibly some programs linked with the 35th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration. Also, CCLOW will be a coalition member and as such will be consolidating links with other national organizations.

Hopefully, CCLOW will have an important role to play in determining the effectiveness of this new initiative. The emphasis of the national effort will undoubtedly be educational, with a focus on how to take practical action for concrete results. This may include a wide-ranging campaign, through the coalition members, to inform as many people in Canada as possible of our governments' commitments and obligations, so that they may know that it is possible to seek redress for violations and non-compliance. Such a campaign could include a program of "how" to monitor, exercise and seek redress and also how to influence other governments which are in violation to live up to their international commitments.

The 35th Anniversary comes at a time of increasing economic difficulty for many. It's a well known fact that when the economy falters and people begin to suffer severe economic reversals, human rights and civil liberties are quickly eroded, disregarded or attacked. Gains we have all fought for long and hard may be suddenly lost. For this reason alone, the efforts of CCLOW and the other members of the Coalition are of extreme importance. We hope you will participate!

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Magda Seydegart is the Executive Administrator of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre at the University of Ottawa. She has been involved in adult education for 10 years and worked previously at the Canadian Human Rights Commission where she was responsible for coordinating programs for labor and community education.