Several speakers in the museum series, including Dr. Neil McArthur from philosophy and Dr. Steven Lecce from political studies, discussed how Winnipeg’s new museum could conceptualize the idea of human rights.

“Once you ditch the whole God, church, and Bible thing, there needs to be some work done on what are rights,” McArthur said. “If human rights are going to have any kind of real status, they have to be rooted in the way things are. At the very least, the way we are as people. They are human rights. The word human has to matter.”

Some presenters discussed how new technologies might be used to present museum stories in a more interactive form. Others discussed how the museum might teach the public about human rights. According to Dr. Christopher Powell (sociology), the museum could adopt a "comforting" narrative that celebrates Canada's human rights record and peacekeeping, while ignoring human rights violations. A different approach would involve a more "challenging" narrative that is not afraid to examine the complexities of Canada’s rights practices.

“We’re trying to balance it,” museum curator Tricia Logan said. “Trying to make sure the narrative isn’t glossed over or sugar-coated, but it’s also not complete misery and complete hopelessness in each of those narratives.”

Prof. David Petrasek, an associate professor from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa, expressed concern about the historical narrative the Canadian Museum for Human Rights seems to be adopting – an approach that assumes one can build respect for human rights today by learning about human rights in the past.

"Does exposing the bigotry of our past generations lead to a rigorous scrutiny of our own?" Petrasek asked.

Dr. Rhonda Hinther, director of research and curation at the museum, introduced the museum’s researchers and research assistants, many of whom have graduate degrees in human rights law, history, political science and related disciplines. Several have taught at universities. Winnipeg lawyer and chair of the museum's content advisory committee, Yude Henteleff, discussed a two-year odyssey to consult with Canadians about their aspirations for the museum.

Curator Armando Perla outlined the process through which the museum designs its exhibits, with reference to an exhibit he was working on about agricultural migrant workers in Canada. He described a research-intensive, peer-reviewed process that includes public consultations with academics, activists and migrant workers themselves.

Mary Reid (School of Art) and Pat Bovey (arts consultant) discussed how important it is for public institutions to develop thoughtful and respectful art collection and display policies. Bovey said the Canadian Museum for Human Rights will need to develop a policy that protects rights of expression and presentation, as artists who contribute to the museum will likely be presenting sensitive works detailing human rights and social justice as a means of memory, tribute or history.

Series speakers did not shy away from discussing controversial issues. Dr. Peter Kulchyski (Native studies) questioned whether the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will actually protect Indigenous peoples’ collective rights.

“I use my own judgment. I stand on my own two feet," Kulchyski said. "I have to look at the outcome and what the document is... It is not an instrument for Aboriginal rights."

Myroslav Shkandrij (German and Slavic studies) spoke about the Holocaust and the public silence that has historically surrounded the Holodomor, the Ukrainian Great Famine.

"There seems to me to be no reason why the story of one victimization should desensitize one to the story of another. On the contrary, descriptions of these enormous tragedies should move every thoughtful person,” Shkandrij said. “Both narratives ought to somehow share the stage in all instances. The important point is to acknowledge the legitimacy of both sufferings."

Other speakers talked about how the museum should be an inclusive place for all members of the public. Dr. Nancy Hansen (disability studies) expressed concern that few museums represent the history of disabled people, even though disabled people comprise the world's largest and often one of the most marginalized minority groups. Curator Logan stressed the importance of decolonizing the way Indigenous people are represented in museums and Stephanie Yamniuk (education) spoke about where children fit into the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

"Efforts must be made to include the voices of children and the stories of children, as their impact on local and global communities is very important and very meaningful to society," Yamniuk said. "We need to let them know that they do have something important to say and (ensure) that they feel free to dialogue and discuss with adults what they want from their lives and from the world they live in."

In 2011, the University of Manitoba signed a memorandum of understanding with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to facilitate co-operation to advance human rights education and research, and to empower people to change thought and take action for human rights.