The first International Symposium on Euthanasia, "Current Issues and Future Directions," is set for Nov. 30-Dec. 1 in Toronto. It is being organized by the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition of Canada, and will allow leaders to discuss strategies for stopping the euthanasia movement.
"The conference is going to bring together leaders and people concerned about euthanasia from all around the world," said Rita Marker, executive director of the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. "We definitely have to be concerned about what is happening everywhere."
Marker pointed out that assisted-suicide supporters from Oregon traveled to Britain to study its policies before Oregon passed its own law in 1997.
"There are different ways we address this," she said. "At the same time, we have to recognize that Oregon is being used as the model for 'problem-free, gentle suicide' everywhere."
The next U.S. battleground is Washington state. The "Oregon, plus one" initiative aims to put assisted suicide on the ballot in Washington next year, Marker said.
"It will make an impact in every state," she said. "What happens in Washington doesn't stay in Washington."
In addition to Marker, the list of speakers includes: Dr. William Toffler, national director of Physicians for Compassionate Care in Portland, Ore.; Diane Coleman, founder of NOT DEAD YET, a leading disability rights group in the U.S.; Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition; and Bobby Schindler, brother of Terri Schiavo.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the conference Web site. To register, e-mail info@epcc.ca or call (877) 439-3348.
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