November 26, 2025 – Posted on behalf of Derek Murray, FPSE Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee
As we approach December 10, the United Nations’ annual Human Rights Day, it is my privilege to share a brief report on the activities of the Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee of FPSE and to make a humble request to colleagues here in the CCFA.
Report on HRISC Fall Meeting
The HRIS committee met during the FPSE Standing Committee Virtual Summit November 14–15.
Here are the highlights:
• At our meeting in February we heard from guest speaker Sara Kishawi, a graduate of Vancouver Island University and lead petitioner in a freedom of expression case against the university. The committee was informed at our November meeting that a ruling was issued (just in the past few weeks) in favour of the university such that freedom of expression rules do not apply on university campuses, which are private property.
• Local reports from other FPSE locals focused primarily on the impacts of declining international enrolments on labour, various restructurings, decolonization efforts, student housing, food security initiatives, and the impacts of generative artificial intelligence on academic labour.
• The committee also passed several motions calling on FPSE to advocate for:
o the removal of professional employment barriers for spousal open work permit and post-graduate work permit holders,
o fair working conditions for international students, and
o equitable access to scholarships, awards, and work-study programs for international students.
2026 HRISC Speaker Tour: Putting the Human Back in our Institutional Processes
Each year the HRIS committee organizes and hosts a Speaker Tour event. Last year, the topic was “AI and Human Rights in Higher Education” and you can find a recording of the talk on the HRISC website under the “Resources of Interest” tab. The discussion was thoughtful, engaging, and provocative. I am also excited to share that we were able to work with the authors to create a booklet of reflections from the presenters, which will be published by Athabasca University Press!
This year, the topic will be “Putting the ‘Human’ Back in Our Institutional Processes” with an emphasis on how we can build and repair relationships and center human rights and dignity in our various institutional processes and protocols such as bargaining, collegial governance, human rights complaints, and other areas. The specific topic areas will depend on the speakers, so if you know of anyone who you think would be a good speaker, please let me know at ac.ytlucafnusomac@csirh. We are hoping to confirm the lineup by early January with plans to host the talk in mid-March.
This year there will be an online panel and we will be organizing local watch parties with local commenters. One idea we discussed was to invite Knowledge Keepers from local Nations to speak to their perspectives on the topic and how we might better respect, integrate, and learn from their knowledge, experience, and practices. Stay tuned!
Do you need funding for a human rights initiative or event on campus?
The HRIS committee has a small discretionary fund which is available to locals to support local events or initiatives. For example, you could get a small amount of money to host a film screening or to create promotional materials. If this is something that would be helpful for you, please let me know and we can work on a proposal.
Request for Input
Finally, I know there is a lot happening at Camosun in the human rights and international solidarity arena, but I also know that there is much that I am unaware of. If you have a human rights related event or initiative, please let me know! I would love to be able to pass these items along at the next HRISC meeting in February.
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