Following the atrocities of the Second World War, precedents were set to prevent a third. On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly codified one such precedent: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The document consists of 30 articles intended to define and represent the rights and dignity everyone is entitled to share.

In 2001, the anniversary of the declaration was expanded into a week-long holiday. In recent years, that holiday grew to span the entire month of December. Ideally, the declaration would foster a year-round practice. Until then, even when faced with opposition, consider representing the best in all of us by embracing our shared humanity. After all, we already know that–regardless of our race, religion, culture, or beliefs–more is shared between us than divides.

Further Reading:

Documents used to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
Celebrating its 10th anniversary December 1, 2019!

Global Bioethics and Human Rights: contemporary issues
Available at Ivy Tech Fort Wayne Library!

The Paris Agreement : climate change, solidarity, and human rights
Find more eBooks on Ivy Tech Library’s catalog website, IvyCat!

Taking Sides in Peacekeeping: impartiality and the future of the United Nations
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