Prior to the Second World War, the concept of human rights wasn’t part of the world’s vernacular. That changed when the United Nations passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Dec. 10, 1948. Rhoda Howard-Hassmann, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University, looks at the current state of human rights laws around the world.

Other stories for your consideration today:

• An art exhibit at Western University featuring the work of Canadian artist Andil Gosine looks at the “brown sugar diaspora,” which includes descendants of indentured Indian labourers shipped to sugar plantations in the Caribbean in the 19th century.
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a new member of the U.S. Congress who has become the face of progressive politics in that country, is advocating for a “Green New Deal” – an ambitious effort to confront both climate change and social inequality. Should Canada do the same?
• The images a few weeks ago of families with small children fleeing tear gas canisters, pepper spray and flash bang grenades is part of Donald Trump’s propaganda campaign to portray people in the migrant caravan as invaders. The reality is quite different.

And finally…the recent announcement that General Motors is shutting traditional auto-making plants to focus more on autonomous vehicles has left many of us wondering what the future of driving looks like. Jim Davies of the Institute of Cognitive Science at Carleton University helps us imagine how self-driving cars could transform communities in a good way.

Regards,