All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
- Article 1, Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on this day in 1948. The UDHR is a vision of a world where respect for human rights is a way of life.
This year's Human Rights Day theme is "Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always." It aims to promote and raise awareness of the two Covenants on Human Rights: the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly 50 years ago, on December 16, 1966.
Today kicks off a year-long campaign that revolves around the theme of rights and freedoms -- freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear -- which underpin the International Bill of Human Rights. For more, see the website of the UN Human Rights office.
Today I will celebrate what we have accomplished in building equality, freedom, and justice in the world, and consider what remains to be worked on.
1. Investigate:
I want to learn more about current human rights abuses in the U.S. and around the world. Today I will go to the web page for Human Rights Watch and do a little research.
2. Journal:
What steps might I feel led to take?
Choose the issue I want to take action on.
List what I could do this week or month to put my compassion into action.
3. Speak out:
Tell at least one other person what I have learned and what I am doing to mark Human Rights Day.
4. Go to an event:
Our city Human Rights Commission is hosting an event tonight to celebrate International Human Rights Day, with a focus on homelessness, with speakers, information tables, and musical entertainment. I hoped to attend, but I'm not too mobile yet after my accident so we will see!
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