Aug 13, 2025
Education News Canada

HUNTINGTON UNIVERSITY
Huntington University's Newest Institute Signs Agreement with Prestigious International Human Rights Organization

August 13, 2025

The Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health (CIHRGH), a centre of excellence housed at Huntington University in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an internationally-renowned human rights organization in France.  

 (LtoR): Valérie Baud-Candau, Deputy-Director of the René Cassin Foundation - International Institute of Human Rights with Dr. Kevin McCormick, Founding President of the Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health, signing of Memorandum of Understanding, June 30, 2025, Strasbourg France

On June 30, 2025, Dr. Kevin McCormick, Founding President of the Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health and Valérie Baud-Candau, Deputy-Director of the René Cassin Foundation - International Institute of Human Rights, met in Strasbourg, France to sign the agreement and declare the intention of both organizations to develop a collaborative partnership for the promotion of human rights.  

"The partnership marks the beginning of a promising collaboration around research, teaching and the promotion of human rights and global health," said Valérie Baud-Candau, Deputy-Director of the René Cassin Foundation - International Institute of Human Rights.  "It was a honour to meet with Founding President of the institute, Dr. Kevin McCormick, an expert in international relations with an impressive background in social justice, and a passion for human rights.  His innovative vision for the Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health is already showing remarkable success, and we are very much looking forward to developing the partnership further in the near future."

"I am extremely pleased to enter into this agreement with the René Cassin Foundation, an internationally-respected institute of human rights in Strasbourg, France. Their nearly 55-year legacy of excellence offers our institute a wealth of experience to draw upon as we continue to expand our network of experts, and develop future opportunities for our own research and education in Canada," said Dr. Kevin McCormick, Founding President of the Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health. "We look forward to a continued and prosperous relationship with the René Cassin Foundation and are eager to get to work and explore meaningful projects and initiatives to address global issues of human rights and health."

In addition to the official signing ceremony, Dr. McCormick had the opportunity to partake in the 54th Summer Session of the René Cassin Foundation - an annual conference that offers in-depth study of comparative international human rights law, international humanitarian law and international criminal law under the guidance of 50 internationally recognized experts.  While there, he was able to meet in person with international colleagues and Fellows of the Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health, as well as represent the institute at a prominent dinner organised during the second week of the 54th summer session which was designed to bring together international speakers, ambassadors and representatives of the René Cassin Foundation.

"In May 2024, the Board of Regents announced that it had appointed Dr. Kevin McCormick as the Founding President to lead the institute, and focus more fully on its growth and success," said Ms. Mary-Liz Warwick, Board Chair.  "We are thrilled that Dr. McCormick has already generated impressive forward momentum for the Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health by making connections with international colleagues and experts in human rights and global health from around the globe, signing partnerships with renowned organizations such as the René Cassin Foundation, and representing our institution at an international level."

"As a Distinguished Chair of the Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health, who is also actively involved with the René Cassin Foundation as a member of the scientific committee, I'm extremely pleased to see these two organizations committed to cooperation for the promotion of human rights and global health issues," said professor Awalou Ouedraogo, Chair of the Department of Equity Studies at York University, Toronto. "The René Cassin Foundation is world-renowned for its expertise in human rights education and research.  As such it is a remarkable ally for the newly-established Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health which, thanks to the outstanding leadership of Dr. McCormick, is developing at an extraordinary pace and is quickly making a name for itself amongst international circles of respected human rights/global health scholars, experts and activists."

The Canadian Institute for Human Rights and Global Health, in development since 2022, was publicly launched in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada in May 2024 at Huntington University's Spring Convocation.  The institute boasts a growing list of Fellows, Distinguished Research Chairs, as well as partner universities and organizations representing countries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, who will work together on key areas and issues impacting communities and countries on a global scale.

For more information

Huntington University
935 Ramsey Lake Rd.
Sudbury Ontario
Canada P3E 2C6
www.huntingtonu.ca


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