Madam / Sir,

Right from the Magna Carta days, the significance of Human Rights (HR) has grown over the centuries.
Human rights obtained concrete forms when democracies settled on to good governance by incorporating
them in their constitutions. They got recognition and sponsorship through international conventions and
protocols. In time, this international consensus led to the formation of human rights institutions and
commissions within and among the nations of the world. Today, courts in various democratic countries
express their concern on HRs and formulate innovative and effective methods to meet violations within
their jurisdictions. The right to development is recognized as an individual human right and a societal
right.
Though not enshrined as a separate and academic faculty in its entirety, HRs are taught in many law and
non-law institutions at present.
A three day Seminar on Human Rights: International and National Perspectives is being held in the
National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (Cochin), Kerala from 19th to 21st March, 2015.
This is to focus on the widening frontiers of HR law and to equip those who are engaged in teaching HRs,
lawyers and activists. A breakup of the areas of interest is given below for learned thinking and
deliberations in the Seminar, providing the participants a platform to work out their scholarly projects.
Single authorship is preferred. Kindly confine yourself to the areas identified for the Seminar. The authors
may confine their papers to any legal issue in relation to any of the sub themes presented under the
outlined broad themes for the seminar. The papers may be in Times New Roman Font in A4 format,
single line spacing, not exceeding 3000 words. It will be of great benefit if the papers along with an
abstract in not more than 150 words is sent by email to the Coordinator of the Seminar before the 20th of
February, 2015. Please do not wait for the last day to submit your paper.
Acceptance of paper would be intimated on an ongoing basis upto 25th of February, 2015. The email id
is seminarnuals@gmail.com. The participants whose papers are accepted shall be reimbursed AC
second class train fare for presenting their papers at the Seminar.
THEMES OF THE SEMINAR
Development and the People
Right to development as human rights and societal right - land acquisition, compensation and
rehabilitation: new perspectives - dams, a boon or a bane? - development-induced displacement are
better facilities for oustees really better in a different habitat? rehabilitation before commencement of
development work, the unsolved problem migration from rural to urban society challenges of
increasing urbanization - homelessness, slums, inadequate settlement and landlessness: a human rights
dilemma - population explosion - public participation in decision making, how to realise it towards good
governance.
Sustainable development - land use, abuse and non-use - wet lands, coastal area and forests - mining of
minerals and sands - alternative energy sources - nuclear power and nuclearization.
Rights of Stake Holders
Gender Justice - Convention on Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) incorporation of the concept into the Indian legal system - treaty making powers -judicial contribution womens commission - home makers and domestic workers - equal pay for equal work - lack of
determining norms - work environment - legal recognition of dignity - the responsibility of the executive
and the legislature in ensuring gender equity - judicial responses - non representation in decision making
- policy on status of women in India - the ILO Conventions - the Kathmandu Declaration for the Rights of

South Asian Home-based Workers (2010) - Unorganised Sector - universality of gender justice problems economic independence and patriarchy.
Traditional fisherman and forest dwellers: the impact of law and regulation the impact of mechanised
fishing - legal framework for recognising HRs and for inclusive development - law to redesign the legal
control - indigenous people, traditional knowledge and intellectual property.
Scavengers use of human waste as manure - the Bangalore model.
Growth and Inclusive Development
Quest for development - urban environmental degradation and resource depletion - habitat change to
generations: present and future - poverty, urbanization, habitat change and environmental degradation participation of a cross-section of society in development - equitable distribution and redistribution of
benefits - state obligation and role - are we still a welfare state? - socio-economic support structures.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Anil R. Nair,
Coordinator,
International Seminar, NUALS