Home Human Rights 2008

Celebrated around the world on December 10th, Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on December 10, 1948. This years marks th 60th anniversary of this landmark document.

"The destiny of human rights is in the hands of all our citizens in all our communities" Eleanor Roosevelt.

UDHR Video

Exhibit: "The International Print Portfolio: Artists' Expressions of Universal Human Rights"
Nov 10-Dec 5, African American Cultural Center Gallery, 2nd Floor of Witherspoon Student Center. Gallery hours: 1:00-9:00 Monday - Thursday, 1:00-5:00 Friday.

The creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the historic document that sets forth the inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms of all the world's people, provided a model for national constitutions and international treaties around the world. This historic human rights document is celebrated in the exhibition: The International Print Portfolio: Artists' Expressions of Universal Human Rights.

More information about the exhibit

Opening Reception for "The International Print Portfolio: Artists' Expressions of Universal Human Rights." Thursday, November 13, 5:00-6:30 p.m. Washington Sankofa Room (126 Witherspoon Student Center. Flyer.

At the reception the African Student Union will present African dance and music, the NC State Proclamation on Human Rights Day will be read and refreshments will be served. The reception is free and open to all.

Chancellor Jim Oblinger has proclaimed that December 10 is Human Rights Day at NC State! Read the proclamation online or in the lobby of D.H. Hill Library. A display celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is on exhibit in the lobby of D.H. Hill Library from November 10 to December 19. The proclamation will be presented to the University community at half time of the Miami football game on November 29.

The NCSU community reads the universal declaration of human rights - featuring Valerie Ball, Sibin Mohan, Janet Howard, Helen Zhang, Slater Newman, Judy Wang, P.J. Parker, Jessica Tiller, Tim Blair, Dan Solomon, Lisa Marshall, Sam Morris, Tom Hunter, and the voice of Larry Nielsen. View the Video here. You'll need Quicktime to view the video. Download Quicktime. Video created by Matt Helfant.

About the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

"Human rights are the rights a person has simply because he or she is a human being." (www.speaktruth.org). Another definition for human rights is "those basic standards without which people cannot live in dignity." Human rights include civil and political rights (e.g., freedom of expression, equality before the law) and economic,social and cultural rights (e.g., right to work, right to an education).

The Declaration is nonbinding. However, two binding treaties, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights were adopted by the United Nations in 1966. The United States signed both treaties in 1976, but has ratified only the former (in 1992). The Declaration and both treaties are jointly referred to as an International Bill of Rights.

"In a period of fifty years the world witnessed a veritable revolution in the process of transforming visions of international human rights into reality. Never before in history had there been so many achievements in extending rights, setting standards, protecting rights through binding treaties and covenants, promoting rights through education and the media, enhancing rights through advisory services in the field for those who suffered, and expanding activities to break the former culture of impunity. Together they helped millions of people gain their independence and assisted unknown numbers of others by preventing abuses, securing freedom from torture or prison, acquiring access to monitoring bodies and humanitarian aid, and obtaining national and international protections for their rights. In addition they inspired national constitutions, regional intergovernmental organizations, and states to use the observance or violation of human rights as a criterion for their policies. In almost every one of these endeavors, reference was made to the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as customary international law and the power of its vision to change the world. Indeed, its impact led the British Broadcasting Corporation news to describe the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION as nothing short of 'our century's greatest achievement.'" (From Lauren, 2003, pp. 269-270 - CAPITALIZATION ADDED)

"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."

-- Eleanor Roosevelt

Human Rights Events at NC State earlier this fall

Human Rights Awareness Tour (sponsored by UAB)

Monday, Sept 15th - Film: Black Gold, 7 PM, Campus Cinema in Witherspoon Student Center

Wednesday, Sept 17th - Labor Rights Speaker and former Sweatshop Worker Chie Abad, 7 PM, Stewart Theatre in the Talley Student Center. Carmencita “Chie” Abad speaks from personal experience about the hardships endured by millions of workers in sweatshops around the world. Chie spent six years as a garment worker on the Pacific island of Saipan, a U.S. territory. Her story is an inspiring example of how people can win if they stand up for their rights. Co-sponsored with the Union Activities Board. Wednesday, September 17 at 7:00 pm in the Stewart Theatre, Talley Student Center.

Thursday, Sept 18th - No Sweat Fashion Show and Fair Trade Coffee Night, 6 PM featuring beautiful student models, Tistrya and Friends, and student acoustic acts and poets! Talley Student Center Ballroom

Friday, Sept 19th at 6 PM - Human Rights Festival - Featuring Blue Turtle Seduction, Tistrya and Friends, and more! Harris Field outside of Witherspoon Student Center

Other Human Rights Events

A Conversation on Immigration with Dr. Jim Johnson
Oct 27, 2:30 pm. Campus Cinema (sponsored by University Scholars Program)
James H. Johnson Jr. is the William R. Kenan Jr. Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School, and is nationally recognized as an expert on the economic effects of immigration. His research interests include community and economic development, the effects of demographic changes on the U.S. workplace, interethnic minority conflict, urban poverty and public policy, and workforce diversity issues. He will talk about the impact of immigration on North Carolina's economy.