The new coalition government in the UK is expediting efforts to mark a differentiation from its predecessor. In regards to foreign policy, the Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs William Hague has identified human rights as the "irreducible core" in his initial speech of a four-part series intended to outline the new government's priorities and approach.

Before providing coverage on the conference proceedings I would like to address a few of the comments responding to my last post. Also through my response I'll have the opportunity to address some key issues which have been discussed over the last two days.

I'm encouraged to see people taking interest in this issue as they should. What is apparent and lamentable by the commentary is that there exists a wide gap between reactionary assumption being propelled from a western perspective and the realities of what the concept of R2P actually encompasses and how it is received by different regions.

The international Conference on the Responsibility to Protect is two days away from beginning in Linkoping, Sweden and anticipation is building. For international observers, 2010 makers the five year anniversary since the adoption of the concept of R2P during the United Nations' World Summitin 2005.

Last night the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission hosted a panel discussion on pay equity issues in New Brunswick. Panel members included representatives from government, the NGO sector, an academic and a practicing labour and employment lawyer.

This effort by the Commission should be applauded, as the initiative was successful in providing a forum to discuss pay equity with participants, as well as, attract attention to the issue from local media. It is events such as these, in accordance with the Commission's educational mandate, which are so often overshadowed by the highly demanding complaints investigation and resolution functions of the Commission. Nevertheless, the important of educational initiatives should not be neglected.