Kirby Huminuik appointed to APA Task Force on Human Rights

The American Psychological Association appointed a Task Force on Human Rights in July 2016 that will be responsible for providing strategic advice to the association in its engagement in the promotion and protection of human rights. Kirby Huminuik was selected to serve on this new APA Task Force. Kirby is a Liu Scholar and PhD Candidate in Counseling kirby-huminuikPsychology at the University of British Columbia. She earned the Global Mental Health Certificate from the Harvard Medical School, Refugee Trauma Program in 2014. She has over a decade of experience in counseling and community-based work with diverse communities in Canada, India, and Latin America. Kirby is currently providing consultation, program development, and professional training services for the Province of British Columbia’s Refugee Readiness Program. She has also been responsible for international psychosocial human rights projects funded by the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture and the Canadian International Development Agency.

JULY 20, 2016

APA appoints Task Force on Human Rights

Charged with recommending strategic direction to association

WASHINGTON — The American Psychological Association has appointed a Task Force on Human Rights that will be responsible for providing strategic advice to the association in its engagement in the promotion and protection of human rights.

The task force members, appointed by APA President Susan H. McDaniel, are:

  • Maureen O’Connor, PhD, Chair, Palo Alto University.
  • Kathleen H. Dockett, EdD, University of the District of Columbia (emerita).
  • Kirby Huminuik, MA, University of British Columbia.
  • Diya Jacob Kallivayalil, PhD, Cambridge Health Alliance.
  • Sam G. McFarland, PhD, Western Kentucky University (emeritus).
  • Jessica Wyndham, Master of Law, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The group has been charged with producing a report by year-end that addresses:

  • A definition of human rights as related to psychology:
    1. to clarify the relationship of human rights to APA’s mission;
    2. to relate the concept of human rights to human welfare, social and ethical responsibility, public interest and social justice, concepts that have historically guided APA’s activities;
    3. to frame and guide APA’s work to promote human rights.
  • A review of APA’s recent and ongoing human rights activities.
  • An analysis of recent comments and recommendations regarding human rights from APA boards and committees.
  • A consideration of strategies, goals, objectives and priorities for APA’s engagement in human rights issues and related activities.
  • A discussion of the various constituencies in APA that might have particular interests in human rights and how they can be involved in APA’s programmatic activities related to the promotion of human rights.
  • Recommendations for organizational mechanisms that can ensure APA’s ongoing and visible commitment to human rights.
  • Identification of human rights-focused organizations and coalitions with which APA might work in the future.

APA welcomes recommendations and resources that might assist the task force in its work. Individuals should send such materials by Aug. 15 to the attention of the APA Task Force on Human Rights: by email (Subject line: Task Force on Human Rights); by fax to (202) 336-5723 (ATTN: Task Force on Human Rights); or by mail to Public Interest Directorate, APA, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 ATTN: Task Force on Human Rights. Call (202) 336-6041 for inquiries regarding the task force.

Tags: , , , Posted on: September 30th, 2016