“When we work to secure human rights, we are working to protect the experiences that make life meaningful, to preserve each person’s ability to fulfill his or her God-given potential – the potential within every person to learn, discover and embrace the world around them.”
Today we celebrate Human Rights Day, which honors the United Nations General Assembly‘s adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first global enunciation of human rights.
This year’s theme recognizes the work of human rights defenders worldwide who act to end discrimination.
As Secretary General Ban Ki Moon says, “Laws to protect and promote human rights are indispensable. But quite often, progress comes down to people… courageous women and men… striving to protect their own rights and the rights of others… determined to make rights real in people’s lives. It is these human rights defenders to whom we dedicate this year’s observance of Human Rights Day.”
You can watch the Secretary General’s message in its entirety here, as well as take a quiz to see how well you know your human rights defenders.
What will you do to protect and uphold human rights today?
If you’re in Boston, we invite you to join us today at Wheelock College for the Human Rights Day Luncheon to meet some inspiring human rights defenders! This year’s luncheon is focused on how sports can be used to promote human rights and fight the impact of poverty and inequity on young people.
Dr. Auma Obama, CARE USA’s Sports for Social Change Initiative Technical Advisor, will be delivering the keynote address. Following Dr. Obama’s address there will be a panelist discussion that features the leading experts in sports and human rights development, including Eli Wolff, Sports and Human Rights Fellow at Brown University, Diana Cutaia, Wheelock Director of Athletics and Sports-Based Initiatives, and Pharlone Toussaint, SPARK The Truth Co-Founder. The discussion will be followed by lunch and a networking reception.
We hope to see you today! Find Directions Here.
-Alex