At the official invitation of the United States government, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Racism, Dr. Doudou Diene of Senegal, visited the U.S. from May 19 to June 6, 2008, to meet with government officials, non-governmental organizations, and victims of racial discrimination.

All around the world, Monday December 10th was recognized as International Human Rights Day. In an Op/Ed in Springfield, Illinois' The State Journal-Register, the Rev. Dr. Sid Mohn, President of the Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights, asked readers to consider what needs to be done to secure our fundamental human rights here at home.

Heartland Alliance's mission is to advance the human rights and to respond to the human needs of endangered populations – particularly the poor, the isolated, and the displaced – through the provision of comprehensive and respectful services and the promotion of permanent solutions leading to a more just global society.