What the...? China calls out Canada over human rights

More often than not these days, it seems we’re all living in Crazytown. Republicans are now pro-Russian. Evangelicals support a president who has affairs with porn stars. The latest example of topsy turvy politics: China is raising the issue of human rights with Canada in the case of a Chinese tech executive arrested in Vancouver. Today in The Conversation Canada, historian David Webster of Bishop’s University explains how the arrest of Meng Wanzhou is the latest example of the Chinese government’s efforts to reshape the way human rights are talked about.

That’s just one of several fabulous Friday reads we have on offer:

And finally…as the holidays approach, parents sometimes must handle tricky issues that come up with their kids: disappointment over not getting the gift they wanted and the need for children to understand giving is more important than receiving. Our experts offer parents some practical advice.

Regards,

Scott White

Editor

Today's Featured Articles

Meng Wanzhou, CFO of the Chinese tech giant Huawei, is shown arriving at a parole office in Vancouver on Dec. 12. Her arrest at the request of the U.S. officials has strained Canada-Chinese relations. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Role reversal: China cites human rights in spat with Canada

David Webster, Bishop's University

China is influential, but would not have succeeded in changing the UN human rights system without quiet consent from countries who wished to trade with it, including Canada.

The Tennessee Supreme Court sentenced Cyntoia Brown (centre) to 51 years in prison for shooting and killing Johnny Allen in 2004. Here Brown sits between her council Charles Bone, left, and Houston Gordon, right, as they listen to the parole board’s decision in her clemency hearing at the Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville, Tenn., on May 23, 2018. (Lacy Atkins/The Tennessean via AP, Pool)

Cyntoia Brown needs support, not 51 years in prison

Jerry Flores, University of Toronto

A U.S. court has sentenced Cyntoia Brown to 51 years in prison for killing a man when she was a teenager. The case shows why the justice system must stop punishing women for defending themselves.

Steel mills, like this one in Hamilton, Ont. emit greenhouse gases. Ontario must reduce its emissions from 161 megatonnes to 143 megatonnes by 2030. haglundc/flickr

Ontario’s new climate plan is far from conservative

Jennifer Lynes, University of Waterloo; Dan Murray, University of Waterloo; Jason Thistlethwaite, University of Waterloo

Ontario's new environment plan scores poorly on conservative ethos.

Children in the Willows forest nature program in the Humber Valley in west Toronto are drawn to water and sticks, simple materials for exploring and investigating. Here the children explore water accumulated from spring rains. (Louise Zimanyi)

Wonder and wisdom in a children’s forest nature program

Louise Zimanyi, Royal Roads University

When parents walk in the forest with their children and us and see how children are drawn to spiral snails, together we see how connections with the land are critical for the Earth's future.

Both the Santa story and consumer culture promote the ideal of wish-fulfilment, but parents can model adaptability and a healthy understanding of limitations by supporting children through disappointment.

Disappointment about gifts is good for kids who have enough

Nikki Martyn, University of Guelph-Humber; Elena Merenda, University of Guelph-Humber

Hide the credit cards and instead build traditions with your kids. Supporting a child through gift disappointment is important to their emotional, cognitive and social development.

Research shows that a parent’s level of generosity and charitable behaviour is linked with their child’s display of the same behaviours. (Shutterstock)

How to infuse your family with the spirit of generosity this Christmas

Sheri Madigan, University of Calgary

Children start developing empathy and compassion as toddlers and should have a good understanding of generosity by age nine. Here are five thoughtful ways parents can help foster these behaviours.

La Conversation Canada

L’horaire des rendez-vous vise à maximiser la productivité médicale de façon à éviter de gaspiller de précieuses ressources. Mais il doit aussi tenter de minimiser l’attente des patients au bureau. shutterstock

Votre rendez-vous médical de 10h30 est-il vraiment pour… 11h15 ?

Michael J. Armstrong, Brock University; Kenneth J Klassen, Brock University; Reena Yoogalingam, Brock University

L’horaire des rendez-vous vise à maximiser la productivité médicale de façon à éviter de gaspiller de précieuses ressources. Mais il doit aussi tenter de minimiser l’attente des patients au bureau.