WASHINGTON – The American Psychological Association has appointed a Task Force on Human Rights that will be responsible for providing strategic advice to the association in its engagement in the promotion and protection of human rights.
The task force members, appointed by APA President Susan H. McDaniel, are:
Maureen O’Connor, PhD, Chair, Palo Alto University
Kathleen H. Dockett, EdD, University of the District of Columbia (emerita)
Kirby Huminuik, MA, University of British Columbia
Diya Jacob Kallivayalil, PhD, Cambridge Health Alliance
Sam G. McFarland, PhD, Western Kentucky University (emeritus),
Jessica Wyndham, Master of Law, American Association for the Advancement of Science
The group has been charged with producing a report by yearend that addresses:
• A definition of human rights as related to psychology —
- to clarify the relationship of human rights to APA’s mission;
- to relate the concept of human rights to human welfare, social and ethical responsibility, public interest and social justice, concepts that have historically guided APA’s activities;
- to frame and guide APA’s work to promote human rights.
• A review of APA’s recent and ongoing human rights activities;
• An analysis of recent comments and recommendations regarding human rights from APA boards and committees;
• A consideration of strategies, goals, objectives and priorities for APA’s engagement in human rights issues and related activities;
• A discussion of the various constituencies in APA that might have particular interests in human rights and how they can be involved in APA’s programmatic activities related to the promotion of human rights;
• Recommendations for organizational mechanisms that can ensure APA’s ongoing and visible commitment to human rights; and
• Identification of human rights-focused organizations and coalitions with which APA might work in the future.
APA welcomes recommendations and resources that might assist the task force in its work. Individuals should send such materials by Aug. 15 to the attention of the APA Task Force on Human Rights: by email to [email protected] (Subject line: Task Force on Human Rights); by fax to (202) 336-5723 (ATTN: Task Force on Human Rights); or by mail to Public Interest Directorate, APA, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 ATTN: Task Force on Human Rights. Call (202) 336-6041 for inquiries regarding the task force.