Universal Declaration of Human Rights

7:00 pm Thursday, 10 December 2009 at International House

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights marks its 61st anniversary this week. The document was adopted on December 10, 1948, thanks in large part to the effort of Eleanor Roosevelt, persuasive and dynamic head of the United Nations team that drafted the Declaration.

Governments that formed the United Nations in 1945 determined that every individual is entitled to all human rights regardless of race, color, sex, language, religion, political opinion, national origin, economic or other status. The Universal Declaration was the first document ever to spell out the qualities of a decent standard of living for all. Nearly every nation has adopted the document.  While the act of adopting the Declaration is not legally binding, it represents a moral obligation to make the rights a reality.

On Thursday, December 10 at 7 pm the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be presented in more than thirty different languages, including English, at International House, 10 College Park. The Davis United Nations Association invites all to join in the event to reflect on the universality of the Declaration as well as the diversity of our community.  We still are looking for some more readers.  If you wish to volunteer, please contact Verena Borton at 756-0632 or rvborton@comcast.net

Why read the Declaration in the relatively intimate setting of International House? To quote Eleanor Roosevelt:

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin?  In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination.  Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere.  Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

This event is free and the public is invited.  Refreshments will be served after the program.