How To Participate In Human Rights Day

On the 10th of December, the world will observe Human Rights Day. Here are 10 Tips on how to meaningfully participate this 2022.

1. Make a pledge

The United Nations features a pledge page on their website. Hit the pledge button below to visit the site and make your human rights pledge to stand up for all.

2. Choose your favourite Human Right

Having a meaningful connection to a particular human right is a good start, as you may not be able to remember them all! But anchoring one in your mind means there’s a reason it’s important to you and you’re more likely to stand up for others who are recipients of that same cause. So bear that in mind when you’re looking for human-based charities. Find the list of Human Rights here: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

3. Donate

It’s a well-observed fact that animal charities make more money than human charities. Are we less compassionate and empathetic to one another? Probably.

Human rights is not just about charity, human rights is a matter of obligation.

We are all entitled to the rights, freedoms, and dignity as humans. So if you’re hesitant to donate money, sell an old item and use the funds to support a cause that supports one for all and all for one. Or fundraise by enlisting in a sponsored silence, marathon, bake sale and so on.

Human rights is a matter of obligation.

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4. Volunteer

There’s levels to this. You can be a field agent flying off to Rohingya to help refugees with supplies or you can simply find something less harrowing closer to home, such as visiting a school to educate children on your particular niche to enforce the curriculum. We all complain about the schooling system, so be the change. Support a school. Teach the kids taxes xoxo

5. Raise awareness

You can be creative with raising awareness or you can simply talk to those around you about causes you care about, showcase your support to those who are making waves in human rights or use the hashtag #Standup4humanrights when you post relevant content online.

6. Host a bed peace protest

John Lennon and Jhené Aiko have ruled the Bed Peace movement. But you don’t have to spend all day under the covers, you don’t even have to be in bed! Take a photo from your house with a protest sign or a human rights message – this suits those who daren’t find themselves on a street protest. There’s something for everybody.

7. Choose FairTrade products

If you don’t know, now you know – FairTrade is a system of certification that aims to ensure a set of standards are met in the production and supply of a product or ingredient. So you can do your bit on Human Rights Day by setting standards in the economic, social, and environmental supply chain for farmers and workers that deliver us our fresh and hard-earned produce.

To do this, swap a product you would’ve bought for a more ecological version, but be sure to check the back of the item or the company fine-print for the certification label.

8. Reach out to your local Member of Parliament (or Congress)

Power of the people, don’t forget how to use your voice as an active member of your community. This is exercising your human rights by remembering your voice matters when you use it to vouch for the rights of others. Beautiful cycle of irony. Remember nurses, teachers, and those who deserve to have our support when you reach out. Or you can mention your local water filtration system, improving land quality, or community accessibility. If it’s meaningful to you and helps others, you can’t get it wrong.

9. Host a Meeting for Change

What is it? It’s whatever you make it to be. Meet with those in your workplace, in your neighborhood, or even in your household, and discuss how things could be better – not just for the people included in the meeting, but also on behalf of those who might otherwise be forgotten.

10. Buy (or make) a piece of art

Support Indigenous Peoples by celebrating the culture in your home with a painting of Taino history to support the existing community of Indigenous Taino Peoples. Learn about the charity here: https://www.uctp.org/our-work-taino-people

Time For A Bit About Human Rights

Why is Human Rights Day every year on 10 December?

The world celebrates Human Rights Day on the very day when, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

What is in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

The Declaration consists of an introductory statement (preamble) and 30 articles that set out the fundamental human rights and freedoms to which all of us, everywhere around the world, are entitled.

Has everyone accepted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

No. It has since served as a contract between governments and their peoples. Virtually all states have accepted the Declaration, but among the eight countries that abstained on the final vote were the Soviet Union (and the five Soviet bloc states), South Africa, and Saudi Arabia.

Who wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

The chair of the U.N. Commission, Eleanor Roosevelt, was largely responsible for writing it in her hopes for a world of genuine peace and justice.

Is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights still relevant?

Yes. The Declaration forbids slavery and servitude, forced marriage, arbitrary arrest, and any interference with privacy and correspondence. Everyone was said to have the right to own property, claim asylum, express opinions, and be educated. Our inherent freedom and protection is always relevant.

Upholding our human rights and the rights of others can prevent horrific global acts and yield lasting peace. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights presents a path to instill confidence that a life of dignity is within reach for all.