The disability community has witnessed with much concern the return of eugenics in New Zealand under the guise of prenatal health care, reproductive choice and human rights. In response to this Family Life International NZ and SavingDowns are holding a one-day seminar “Loving Every Child: Defying Eugenics”. This will be an opportunity to learn about the history of eugenics and its recent emergence into New Zealand society through birth prevention, which is being particularly targeted towards the Down syndrome community.
The seminar will be looking to raise awareness around the issue and to map out a response towards restoring respect and dignity towards the Down syndrome and wider disability communities.
9:30am 10:00am
10:30am
11:30am 11:40am
12:40pm 1:10pm
2:10pm
2:40pm 3:10pm
3:30pm 3:50pm
4:20pm 5:00pm
Registration
Dr Gary Dennis
‘The Power of Story’
Rita Joseph
‘By What Right, are They Not Human Beings?’—the human rights case against eugenic birth prevention
Short break
Dr Deidre Little
‘Current Practice and How it Links with Eugenics’
Lunch Mike Sullivan, SavingDowns
‘Advocating for Down syndrome in the Room and in the Womb’
Podcasts by
Janet Lord, BlueLaw International LLP Antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions—the application of the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Dr Gregor Wolbring, Associate Professor, University of Calgary Topics for the podcasts by his students include the history and future of eugenics and midwife care
Colleen Bayer, Family Life International NZ ‘The Therese Programme’
Diane Belcher, Spina Bifida New Zealand ‘Protecting and Loving our Investment—the Spina Bifida Perspective’
Afternoon tea
Dr Catherine Hallagan ‘Conscientious Objection for a Health Practitioner’—its legal status in NZ and its significance
Wrap up session Finish