Tennessee Human Rights Day 2022 Sets Theme: Advancing Universal Freedom

 The Tennessee Celebration of International Human Rights Day will take place in person on December 8^th.

 

Tennesseans will gather in person for the first time in three years on December 8, 2022 to celebrate International Human Rights Day. During the event, leaders are acknowledged, and awards will go to human rights champions in three categories: Rising Advocate, Outstanding Service and Lifetime Achievement.

 

The planning committee has just announced the theme of the 2022 event will be “Advancing Universal Freedom,” and will focus on Article 28 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.”

 

A committee of human rights organizations, nonprofits, and advocates, including the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Metro Human Relations Commission, United Nations Association, Amnesty International, Tennessee United for Human Rights, the Church of Scientology, and others, work together each year to plan the event.

 

“Human Rights Day gives the community a chance to acknowledge advocates and leaders while also learning more about what human rights really mean for all people,” says planning committee chair Rev. Brian Fesler, pastor of the Church of Scientology in Nashville.

 

The event will also have speakers, entertainment and various exhibits from human rights organizations. All information regarding the event can be found on the website www.tnuhr.org.   

Church of Scientology to Host the Art of Peace

 The Tennessee chapter of United for Human Rights (TNUHR) will have a youth-centered arts event for International Peace Day.

 

 

The Church of Scientology in partnership with Tennessee United for Human Rights will hold its annual Nashville Celebration of International Day of Peace in mid-September. Tennessee United for Human Rights (TUHR) has held an event for International Day of Peace for many years, each with a different theme related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. TUHR promotes human rights education as a way to combat ignorance and increase awareness. 

 

During past Peace Day events, a different human right has been the focus. Past themes have included religious diversity, human trafficking awareness, and domestic violence education.

 

“Each year we focus on a human rights issue that needs to be brought to light. This year we will bring together the community to speak and learn of peace on a universal level,” says Rev. Brian Fesler, regional coordinator of the Tennessee United for Human Rights program. The theme this year is the Art of Peace, and will see the announcement of the annual Human Rights art contest with artists beginning their work right at the Peace Day event.

 

International Day of Peace was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

 

The Peace Day event will be held this weekend in the Nashville Church of Scientology community hall.

 

TNUHR is a chapter of the international organization United for Human Rights, formed on the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide human rights resources and educational materials to all sectors of society.

 

For more information about Peace Day or to find out more about Tennessee United for Human Rights, visit tnuhr.org. 

Nashville Religion Communicators Shine Light on Virtual Reality for Research

 The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications.  

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing, and public relations. The Nashville Chapter meets monthly to learn about other faith traditions, learn from fellow communicators and gain professional development opportunities. 

The September 2022 virtual meeting saw guest speaker Dr. Kelly Price talk with attendees on the topic of “Research: The Sacred Ground of Understanding Your Consumer.” According to RCC Nashville, “Using research to inform decision-making and strategy development can lead to a better understanding of consumers in both physical and online environments.” Not only did Dr. Price cover a wide variety of ways research informs decision-making and strategies, she also shared innovative techniques to conduct research as the world moves into “web 3.0.” tackling topics of the metaverse and virtual reality. 

“It’s important to know your audience, and staying ahead of the curve with innovative techniques is extremely important,” says Julie Brinker, communications coordinator for the Nashville RCC and Director of Community Affairs for the Nashville Church of Scientology. 

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus, and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising, and development. 

The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter. 

Drug-Free Tennessee Promotes Red Ribbon Week and Spreads Awareness

 Drug-Free Tennessee, the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, is promoting drug awareness and education for Red Ribbon Week. 

Drug-Free Tennessee in partnership with the Church of Scientology Nashville is holding several drug prevention and educational events during Red Ribbon Week, a national initiative to promote drug prevention and awareness. 

Tennessee consistently ranks in the top five US states in terms of substance abuse rates, according to a report from lakeviewhealth.com. The website further describes that despite the rise in opioid addictions, alcohol abuse statistics have remained stable, so alcohol is still the most commonly abused substance in Tennessee. In fact, more than 60 percent of patients who enter state drug treatment programs seek treatment for alcohol addiction and about 1 in 20 Tennessee residents abused or were dependent on alcohol in 2016. The website describes opioid abuse, specifically pointing out that oxycodone and hydrocodone are the most commonly abused of painkillers. Although physicians legally prescribe them, these medications often end up on the black market, which has led to a surge in drug related crimes in Tennessee. Opioid overdoses have become so widespread that the Tennessee General Assembly has permitted pharmacies to carry naloxone, a medication used to negate the effects of an opioid overdose until the patient receives professional treatment.

To protect youth from the disastrous effects of abusing these and other drugs, Drug-Free Tennessee teams up with community partners to bring the truth about drugs to young people during Red Ribbon Week.

“We have an immediate task ahead of us: get the drug overdoses going downward,” says Julie Brinker, an ambassador for the organization, “Nashville has seen an increase every year in overdoses since 2018 and it’s time to get this turned around.”  

Red Ribbon Week is a week-long celebration at the end of October to promote a drug-free lifestyle. The Red Ribbon has been worn as a symbol since 1985 when DEA Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena was murdered. Angered parents and youth in communities across the country began wearing Red Ribbons to show their commitment to raise awareness of the killing and destruction caused by drugs in America. 

Volunteers will join with Drug-Free Tennessee for educational events and to distribute copies of The Truth About Drugs, a booklet that helps young people understand what drugs are and how they affect the user. Additionally, DFT is holding an event to promote a drug-free lifestyle. 

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit organization. Its materials demonstrate the dangers of drugs through factual information and interviews with former addicts giving personal perspectives on each of the substances covered. For more information on the Truth About Drugs, visit drugfreeworld.org or drugfreetn.org. 

Nashville Religion Communicators to Learn About Sacred Research

 The Nashville Chapter of the Religion Communicators Council (RCC) meets monthly to talk about topics of interest and hear from professionals in religious communications. 

 

 

The Religion Communicators Council (RCC) is an interfaith association of religion communicators at work in print and electronic communication, marketing, and public relations. The Nashville Chapter meets monthly to learn about other faith traditions, learn from fellow communicators and gain professional development opportunities.

 

The September 2022 meeting will be virtual with a guest speaker on the topic of “Research: The Sacred Ground of Understanding Your Consumer.” According to RCC Nashville, “Using research to inform decision-making and strategy development can lead to a better understanding of consumers in both physical and online environments. This session will explore research as a helpful tool and a way to truly understand the modern-day consumer.”

 

“It’s important to know your audience, and we are looking forward to learning more about in-depth research,” says Julie Brinker, communications coordinator for the Nashville RCC and Director of Community Affairs for the Nashville Church of Scientology.

 

The RCC has members from every faith group and walk of life including Baha’is, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Scientologists, Sikhs, Hindus, and more. The RCC, founded in 1929, is an association of communications professionals who work for and with a diverse group of faith-based organizations in the areas of communications, public relations, advertising, and development.

 

The RCC provides opportunities for communicators to learn from each other. Together, RCC members promote excellence in the communication of faith and values in the public arena. For more information about the Religion Communicators Council, visit religioncommunicators.org/nashville-chapter. 

Drug-Free Tennessee Spreads the Truth for International Overdose Awareness Day

 

Recently released data by the CDC show that drug overdose deaths reached a record high of 93,331 in 2020. That’s more than 20,000 deaths above the previous high in 2019 and the largest single-year percentage increase on record since 1999. Unfortunately, in Nashville those numbers have also seen an alarming increase each year since 2019, according to Metro Police.

 

Drug-Free Tennessee (DFT) has long warned youth and adults alike on the dangers of drug abuse, and the group is now planning a large-scale booklet distribution event in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day.  

 

International Overdose Awareness Day was initiated in 2001 by Sally J Finn at The Salvation Army in St Kilda, Melbourne. Since 2001, many community members as well as government and non-government organizations have held events to raise awareness and commemorate those who have been lost to drug overdose. According to OverdoseDay.org, “International Overdose Awareness Day is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember without stigma those who have died and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.”

 

Drug-Free Tennessee is the local chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, an international non-profit working to help educate people on the dangers of drugs through a multimedia campaign.

 

Resources are available free of charge through drugfreeworld.org, including downloadable Truth About Drugs booklet, which cover all basic side effects of drugs, common street names, and how to recognize when you are being persuaded by a dealer. DFT also has a range of award-winning Public Service Announcements and an award-winning feature length documentary detailing the dangers of drugs and addiction. To learn more or to order booklets or view the videos, visit drugfreetn.org and drugfreeworld.org.