Guide to human rights launches in city
A handy pocket guide to human rights and why they are important to the everyday lives of people in Swansea has been launched.
The booklets which are freely available in public spaces across the city such as libraries, leisure and community centres and also available to download.
It is designed to inform residents of their human rights as well as explaining why they are important and what Swansea is currently doing.
Swansea has declared its ambition to become a Human Rights City and this vision is shared by key organisations such as the council, police, health board, fire service, universities and voluntary groups as well as businesses and many residents.
Last year First Minister Mark Drakeford attended a ceremony at the Guildhall where these organisations committed to working together with people in the city to secure official recognition.
Since then there has been extensive engagement to establish people's key concerns and what the priorities should be when Swansea becomes a Human Rights City.
*The priorities identified were:
*Tackling poverty
*Vulnerable children and families
*Tackling discrimination
*Domestic abuse and violence
*Human rights awareness
Cabinet Member for Care Services and Swansea Council's Champion for Human Rights, Louise Gibbard, said: "We've been delighted by the support and feedback we've had since setting ourselves the challenge of becoming a Human Rights City as it shows there's a real enthusiasm to achieve this status.
"By putting human rights at the heart of everything we do we will further improve local services and decision making.
"We hope to encourage and enable everyone to use their voice, especially those who are more marginalised or socially vulnerable, and take the opportunity to shape the vital services we rely on day to day.
"The new pocket guides are being made widely available across Swansea.
"It explains why human rights are important and what we are doing, as a city, to realise your human rights."
There are downloadable PDF versions available, which can be emailed out or downloaded from the council website by visiting: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/humanrightsguide
Professor Ian Walsh, Provost of the Swansea campus at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) said: "UWTSD is proud to support Swansea's ambition to become a Human Rights City.
"The priorities identified will be a huge leap forward in tacking social inequality and deprivation for the most vulnerable in our city.
"Swansea is a wonderful place to live, work, study and to enjoy its many and diverse resources where people are valued. Becoming a Human Rights City will add to its reputation as an equitable and inclusive community."