Trousse sur les droits de l’homme > Universal Human Rights for All

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"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead

On December 10, 1948, the member states of the United Nations, in a resolution of the General Assembly, adopted a set of ideas and principles entitled, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Their goal was to establish a list of the "equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family" and to recognize those rights as the "foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world".

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we want you, the teachers and young people of Canada, to step up to the human rights challenge: to become active contributors, to empower yourselves with knowledge, and to assume a leadership role in promoting human rights in your community!

During this special anniversary year (December 10, 1997 - December 10, 1998) we have a responsibility to re-examine the state of human rights in the world half a century after the Universal Declaration was born. The protection and promotion of human rights has dramatically increased over the past fifty years. We must not, however, allow our accomplishments to overshadow the fact that human rights violations continue to occur.

Canadian news reports are filled with evidence of ignorance, indifference, and inequality: stories on racism, sexual harassment, homophobia, hate propaganda, discrimination, and other injustices perpetrated in schools, workplaces, and communities across the country. Internationally, people are sacrificing their lives and liberty in the struggle against oppression, violence, war, tyranny, hunger, and poverty. Just as the Universal Declaration unites all people through their common human rights, it also unites us in a common duty to ensure those rights are protected.

As young Canadians and teachers, you have the power to stop discrimination, to eliminate oppression, and to bring an end to ignorance and indifference. You can choose to help end human rights violations, or you can choose to ignore them. The decision is yours. Either way, your choice will have a profound impact on the people around you.

"Where, after all, do universal rights begin? (...T)he 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 concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
- Eleanor Roosevelt Chair , UN Human Rights Commission

The 50th Anniversary must be a year of action. Communities and youth groups across the country are planning their initiatives. Federal, provincial, and municipal agencies will also be coordinating several key events throughout the Anniversary year. Web sites are being created, festivals are being organized, ideas are being shared and Canadians from coast to coast are working hard to ensure that human rights are a top priority in 1998 and beyond! Please join us! Together we can draw upon the same spirit of hope, unity, and justice in which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was first created, to generate a stronger commitment to the "equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family" for the next century.

Students and Teachers: Get Involved!!

"I know that I want to get involved with human rights in my school and community, but where do I begin?"

Right here, right now, with the Action Guide. This booklet is designed to give you some directions for action. We have compiled a list of ideas and resources to get you started. Some background information on human rights legislation and institutions in Canada is also included. Remember, this is only a guide. Be creative, look at issues in your own community, ask questions, and seek solutions to the problems you find. We have given you some sign posts; it’s up to you to chart the path of human rights for the years to come.

Now it’s your turn...

Many people in Canada and around the world have made important contributions to the struggle for equality and justice, but the one thing they all began with was a dedication to human rights. The 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represents an important opportunity for us all to take action on human rights issues. Once you decide to make human rights a top priority in your school and community you can begin to create a society that recognizes equality, celebrates diversity, and protects human rights for all. Remember, for every human right, there is a corresponding duty, a duty to ensure that the rights of others, and in turn your own rights, are respected.

Don’t let another year pass without making your contribution. Establish a human rights committee at your school with teacher and student members to coordinate anti-racism campaigns, multicultural events, and similar human rights activities. Join the Department of Canadian Heritage’s CREDO campaign (1-888-852-3456) and express your beliefs about human rights. Get involved in a local branch of one of the many non-governmental organizations working for human rights, such as Amnesty International, Oxfam, or the United Nations Association in Canada. Stage a Model United Nations for youth in your community. Invite human rights activists to speak to students about issues that concern you. Sponsor an essay competition within your school on a topic to encourage change in government or United Nations policies on human rights. Try to incorporate a stronger focus on human rights issues into your curricula.

Check out these and many other activities in the "Action Ideas: How Can You Get Involved?" section of the Action Guide. Use our list of resources to find further information on human rights issues in Canada and internationally. With a few good leads and a genuine interest in positive change you can become more involved in your school, your community, and the world. These are your human rights: learn about them, respect them, but most importantly, use them!

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has given us a valuable gift: the recognition of our freedom and equality in dignity and rights. In this 50th Anniversary year, let’s look back on our accomplishments in the field of human rights with pride, and then look forward to the challenging work that is waiting to be done. Begin today.