International Labour Organization Convention 190:  Stopping Gender- Based Violence in the World of Work

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Kevin Cassidy, Director and Representative to Bretton  Woods and Multilateral Organizations

Robin Runge, Consultant for Futures Without Violence and a Distinguished Professional Lecturer in Law at the George Washington University Law School

Darci Flynn, Director of Gender-Based Violence Strategy and Policy in the Mayor’s Office in Chicago

Gayle Golden, Deputy Director, Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor

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The International Labour Organization (ILO) held an interactive session to explore how local government leaders are implementing successful strategies to prevent and address gender-based violence and harassment in the world of work to achieve greater equity and inclusion by using the principles of ILO Convention 190 (C190), the world’s first-ever labor standard that gives all workers the right to be free from violence and harassment in the world of work, including GBVH. This session spotlighted models of collaboration and dialogue that have generated impactful education and training, workplace policies, legislation and other initiatives designed to produce culture change. Attendees learned about C190 principles that have the potential to broaden their perspective on GBVH to achieve a fairer and more inclusive workplace and discussed ways to bring C190 to their communities. 

 

 

The Intersection of the Fair Housing Analysis of Impediments, Language Access and Plain Language
Lesley Edmond, J.D., CPM, Housing Compliance Officer, District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development

This workshop briefly explained the regional Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice, which started shortly after HUD’s 2015 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule. The draft report was released in late January 2023 (after an eight-year journey) before the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, transparent and inclusive communication became crucial as ever and integral to the Fair Housing engagement process for this regional effort with eight jurisdictions in the nation’s capital. Using Plain Language and translating materials for the public meets the spirit of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the 2023 Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) rule. Using Plain Language as part of the Fair Housing Planning Process ensures equity for all citizens impacted by local and federal housing and planning decisions.

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A Case Study: Reclaiming Bruce’s Beach: America’s Landmark Return of Black Property

George Fatheree, Esq., ORO Impact, Founder & CEO

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In 2022, the first time in US history, a government agency returned land to a Black family almost 100 years after it had been wrongfully taken in a racially motivated eminent domain action. Attorney George Fatheree led the fight to recover Bruce's Beach. Attendees learned about the history of Bruce's Beach, the 100-year struggle for its return and what it means for restitution for Black land loss moving forward.

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Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue

Josh Horwitz, JD, Professor of the Practice and Co-Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Prevention and Policy
 

Moderator: Ernest Coverson, Director, Gun Violence Prevention, Amnesty International USA

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Gun violence is a leading public health issue of our time. Gun homicides disproportionately impact communities of color that also suffer from concentrated disadvantage and disinvestment. A public health approach to gun violence prevention recognizes the myriad risk and protective factors driving this issue. This talk also addresses the intersection of white supremacy, insurrection, and firearms and how that contributes to gun violence.
 

 

Adjudicating Human Rights Complaints (Commissioners Track I)  
Erika Pierson, Chief Administrative Law Judge, D.C. Commission on Human Rights
 

This two-part workshop focused on adjudicating human rights complaints in a public hearing in an administrative setting. The workshop focused on the role of the hearing examiner, compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act, all aspects of the hearing process with an emphasis on managing evidence under the relaxed rules of evidence, the hearing process, application of the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework, types of evidence, writing decisions that withstand appellate review, and challenges facing hearing examiners.

 

 

A Discussion with HUD: Advancing Fair Housing Enforcement Together

Erik Steinecker, Director of the Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

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This workshop provided updates from HUD’s Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity (FHEO) on  steps being taken to strengthen fair housing enforcement efforts and facilitate a discussion on challenges facing fair housing enforcement agencies. The goal of the discussion is to provide updates on HUD’s Fair Housing Assistance Program, highlight findings and recommendations from recent HUD reviews of the FHAP Program, and facilitate a conversation with participants to identify key challenges and barriers facing fair housing enforcement agencies in a post-pandemic work environment.