Criticism of Mauritania's Addition to UN Human Rights Council

A public policy advocacy strategist with a background in managing political campaigns, Sean Tenner is president of the Chicago, Illinois-based firm KNI Communications, through which he assists nonprofit organizations and electoral campaigns. In addition, Sean Tenner is a prominent advocate for the end of slavery in the Northwest African nation of Mauritania.

Mauritania joined the 47-member United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council for the first time in February 2020. However, critics have suggested that the country isn't doing enough to eliminate descent-based slavery. Mauritania, which was elected to the council in 2019 despite the concerns of its poor record regarding slavery, is believed to have 90,000 citizens enslaved as domestic servants and cattle herders, according to the 2018 Global Slavery Index. Its government, however, has denied that it is a widespread practice.

Following its first session with the UN Human Rights Council, Biram Dah Abeid, a two-time presidential candidate of the council and leader of the Mauritanian anti-slavery group Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement, called Mauritania's inclusion to the council "a denial of the very principles on which the UN is based." In support of this claim, Abeid cited two recent instances of youth who claimed to be enslaved returned to their respective masters by the government.

Focus in Illinois Congressional Race on Israel issues

Sean Tenner is a respected presence in the Chicago community who leads KNI Communications and works proactively with nonprofits, foundations, electoral campaigns, and advocacy campaigns. In his role as a Democratic political consultant, Sean Tenner was quoted in a recent Jewish Insider article on a high profile Illinois congressional race.

At issue is the Illinois 3rd congressional district, which encompasses many largely Catholic neighborhoods in Chicago and the southwestern and western suburbs of Chicago. Many view the primary election to be held in March 2020 viewed as a referendum on women’s reproductive rights and affordable health care, the two leading candidates being Rep. Dan Lipinski and Marie Newman. The latter candidate lost narrowly to the incumbent in the 2018 election for the House seat.

The article noted that Newman and Lipinski (an eight-term congressman) have different views on the Jewish state of Israel in the current campaign.

Commenting on this issue, Mr. Tenner noted that, while Muslim and Jewish voters are not large components of the district’s electorate, both groups have strong feelings about the Middle East and get engaged in local politics. He noted that it is a systemic strength of the American political system that members of both communities have the ability to advocate for their positions and have their voices heard in the primary process.

State Rep. Feigenholtz 'Obvious Choice' to Replace Cullerton

Sean Tenner serves as president of KNI Communications in Chicago, Illinois, a communications firm committed to providing solutions to foundations, nonprofits, and issue and electoral advocacy campaigns. As a Democratic Committeeman of the 46th Ward in Chicago, Sean Tenner commented on State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz’s efforts to fill the seat of 6th District Senate President John Cullerton, calling her the “obvious choice.” His opinion was featured in the Illinois Playbook column on Politico.com.

According to the Illinois Playbook coverage, Feigenholtz had begun to garner political support to become the next president of the 6th District Senate by fall 2019. The alderman of the 44th Ward Chicago, Tom Tunney leads the Democratic Committee that will determine Cullerton’s replacement. Speaking with the publication, he estimated Feigenholtz had support from more than 80 percent of the committee at the time. With the largest weight vote, Tunney could play a primary role in deciding whether or not Feigenholtz become the next 6th District Senate President in January 2020.

A Look at the Educational Tools and Resources of Hope for the Day

Sad man sitting on the couch
Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash

A communications professional and public policy advocate, Sean Tenner serves as the president of KNI Communications in Chicago. Beyond his work at KNI, Sean Tenner supports several nonprofit groups, including Hope for the Day.

Focused on suicide prevention and mental health awareness, Hope for the Day oversees a variety of programs and activities that encourage people to reach out for help when dealing with mental health issues. As part of these efforts, the organization offers several educational resources, including courses and workshops.

Through Hope for the Day's eight-hour Mental Health First Aid course, individuals can learn to identify developing mental health issues or a mental health crisis. The training provides information on anxiety, depression, and addiction disorders and offers a five-step action plan for responding to someone struggling with these and other issues.

Hope for the Day also hosts monthly PEERvention Workshops, which provide participants with tools and strategies to promote effective mental health care. The workshops are free and typically held at the Logan Square Branch of the Chicago Public Library.

People outside of the Chicago area can support the efforts of Hope for the Day by looking into the group's online resources, which include tips on ways to be supportive to someone in need and printable sheets and cards. More information is available at www.hftd.org. Hope for the Day also runs the innovative coffee shop Sip of Hope www.SipOfHope.com -- proceeds go to benefit youth mental health and suicide prevention programs.