Media

Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Brings “Speak Truth To Power” to Hong Kong

18 Feb 2011

Kerry Kennedy, daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, will join local human rights activists, academics, and dignitaries to introduce Speak Truth To Power (STTP) - a book, play, photo exhibit, and human rights curriculum - to students, teachers, and the public, at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) on February 21 (Monday).

Ms Kennedy is president of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. She is visiting Hong Kong to launch a series of events to promote global human rights and human rights education. The STTP program will subsequently appear in Cambodia.

Speak Truth To Power, based on Ms. Kennedy's book of the same name, is a multi-faceted global initiative of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. Its goal is to use the experiences of courageous human rights defenders from around the world to educate students and the public on the significant struggles of our time, such as environmental activism and the fight for equality and democracy, and urge them to act.

The events at HKU will include a panel discussion on global human rights issues and the role of human rights in education; an exhibit by the late Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Eddie Adams; and monologues performed by HKU students from the play "Speak Truth to Power, Voices from Beyond the Dark," by Broadway playwright Ariel Dorfman and adapted from Kennedy's book. The events are open to the media and the public. The details are as follows:

Date: February 21, 2011 (Monday)

Panel discussion: the role of human rights education in Hong Kong
Representatives from education, legal and other sectors will discuss global human rights and the role of human rights education in Hong Kong's schools. Panelists include leaders of such groups as Amnesty International HK and Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor's Choi Yiu Kwok. The discussion will be moderated by prominent broadcaster Ms. Claudia Mo.

Time: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Venue: Council Chamber, 8/F Meng Wah Complex, HKU

Photography exhibit
The exhibit features portraits of prominent human rights defenders by the late Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Eddie Adams. Launched at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., the exhibit has traveled to more than 20 U.S. cities and is currently on a global tour on four continents.

Time: Opening reception from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Rayson Huang Theatre foyer, HKU

Monologues from the play
"Speak Truth To Power: Voices From Beyond the Dark," a play adapted from Kerry Kennedy's book "Speak Truth To Power" by Broadway playwright Ariel Dorfman. The play has been staged in cities worldwide, including London, Madrid, Rome, Milan, Sydney and Seoul, and performed by leading actors and students throughout the world. In Hong Kong, monologues from the play will be performed by HKU students.

Time: 7:30 - 8:15 p.m.
Venue: Rayson Huang Theatre, HKU

The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
The centre was founded in 1968 by Robert Kennedy's family and friends as a living memorial to carry forward his vision of a more just and peaceful world. Today the impact of the RFK Center extends around the globe, through cutting-edge programs promoting human rights and social justice and empowering new generations of leaders. Website: www.rfkcenter

For more information and arrangement of interviews, please contact:
(Hong Kong) Violet Law, at email: Violetlaw@hotmail.com, tel: 6570 3367
(United States) Josh Karlen, Director of Communications, RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights, at email: karlen@rfkcenter.org ,tel: 917 671 6803

For enquiries, please contact Melissa Wong, Centre of Development and Resources for Students, HKU, at email: mklwong@hku.hk , tel: 2857 8383