CELEBRATE HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 2012
The United Nations' (UN) Human Rights Day is annually observed December 10 to mark the anniversary of the presentation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Human rights provide a foundation for building a just and peaceful world. Every human being on the planet has the right to dignity, respect, and freedom - whatever their race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, wealth or other status.
On 10 December 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Declaration has been translated into over 300 languages and dialects - from Abkhaz to Zulu. It is the holder of the Guinness World Record for the document that has been most translated.
Stand Up and Be Counted- See What Member Agencies are Doing to Celebrate
The Illinois Department of Human Rights- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, A Magna Carta For All Humanity – The Thirty Articles
The Illinois Department of Human Rights commemorates Human Rights Day December 10, 2012. Human Rights Day reminds us that people all over the world are working within their respective countries to create positive social change by using the international human rights framework to connect global issues with local concerns.
Protections offered under human rights laws provide a powerful affirmation of human dignity by translating ideals into concrete improvements in the everyday lives of people around the globe.
Knowing this to be true, the Illinois Department of Human Rights has been working diligently to ensure for all individuals within the State of Illinois freedom from unlawful discrimination and to promote equal opportunity and affirmative action by enforcing the Illinois Human Rights Act. See complete brochure. Here.
Metro Human Relations Commission, Nashville Tennessee
The Metro Human Relations Commission is once again pleased to co-sponsor Middle Tennessee's International Human Rights Day Program. The 2012 event will take place Monday, December 10th, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m., at the Metro Nashville Police Department's North Precinct. The event is free and open to public.
This annual program sets the stage for recognizing members of the community for their contributions to the advancement of human rights and personal dignity. The 2012 honorees include Rosetta Miller Perry, Rev. Bill Barnes, and Attorney George Barrett for Lifetime Achievement in the field. Rising Advocate awards will be presented to Daoud Abudiab and Cecilia Gomez. Metro Human Relations Commissioner and attorney, Alistair Newbern, will join Rev. Sonnye Dixon, and Judge Jocelyn Wurzburg in a panel discussion on the topic of “Building a Culture of Human Rights.” This year’s program will also include performances by award-wining singer-songwriter, Ross Falzone, and youth poets from Southern Word.
Mark your calendar today for the 2012 International Human Rights Day program. Please feel free to share this invitation and attached flyer with your personal and professional network. In addition to the Metro Human Relations Commission, the planning committee for the 2012 program includes the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Church of Scientology, United Nations Association, and Women on Maintaining Education and Nutrition.
The Missouri Commission on Human Rights
Dr. Alisa Warren, MCHR Executive Director The Missouri Commission on Human Rights (MCHR) celebrates International Human Rights Day on Friday, December 7, 2012, from 10am to 3pm in the Magnolia Room at the Double Tree Hotel located at 422 Monroe Street in Jefferson City, Missouri. The program will feature a panel of experts on fair housing and accessibility, affirmatively furthering fair housing, human trafficking, and convictions in employment decisions. In keeping with our program theme of “Equality for All Missourians”, MCHR has been working diligently to expand human rights partnerships and strengthen networks across the state of Missouri by building relationships with local human rights groups. The International Human Rights Day celebration provides a unique opportunity for all our partners and advocates to come together to educate, network, and honor those who have exhibited extraordinary efforts to promote human rights in Missouri.
The Awards Luncheon will honor the exceptional accomplishments in the areas of: “Disability Awareness Award” (Maryann “Miki” Gudermuth- SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence); “Fair Housing Advocate Award” (Will Jordan, Esq.- St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council); “Local Human Rights Commission of the Year” (Kelly Johnson- Springfield Mayor’s Commission on Human Rights and Community Relations); “Judge Arnold Krekel Trailblazer Award” (Michael Bates- University of Missouri Kansas City); and the “Lucile Bluford Lifetime Achievement Award” (Sheryl Rose- Missouri Commission on Human Rights). The program will also showcase artwork and essays from K-12 students that have participated in the “Show-Me Fair Housing Awareness Project” annual poster and journalism contest.
Dr. Alisa Warren, MCHR Executive Director will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for the program. The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP contact Deborah “DJ” Sarber at: Deborah.Sarber@labor.mo.gov
Seattle Office for Civil Rights and the Seattle Human Rights Commission
The Seattle Office for Civil Rights and the Seattle Human Rights Commission will celebrate Human Rights Day on Thursday, December 13th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in Seattle City Hall.
This 17th annual celebration will feature keynote speaker Van Jones, a Yale-educated attorney who has written two New York Times best sellers: The Green Collar Economy, the definitive book on green jobs, and Rebuild the Dream, a roadmap for progressives in 2012 and beyond. In 2009, Jones worked as the green jobs advisor to the Obama White House where he helped run the inter-agency process that oversaw $80 billion in green energy recovery spending.
Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn will present the annual Human Rights Award to community activist Rita Zawaideh and to Washington United for Marriage (the coalition that successfully advocated for marriage equality in our state). Magdaleno “Leno” Rose-Avila, Director, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, will serve as master of ceremonies.
Event Co-Sponsors include Amnesty International, the Seattle Commission for People with disAbilities, the United Nations Association of Seattle, King County Civil Rights Commission, and other community partners.
The event is free and open to the public. ASL provided. RSVP: felicia.yearwood@seattle.gov
Tennessee Human Rights Commission Building a Culture of Human Rights Celebration (Flyer)
The Tennessee Human Rights Commission celebrates Human Rights Day annually through a variety of efforts.
- Proclamation from Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam (see attached)
- Serve on planning committee for Human Rights Day in Nashville along with other human rights agencies and community groups (including the Metro Nashville Human Relations Commission, Church of Scientology, AFL-CIO and United Nations Nashville Chapter)
o Human Rights Day in Nashville is a free event open to the public (please find the flyer attached)
o This year’s theme is Building A Culture of Human Rights
o The event gives awards to local human rights heroes: lifetime achievement and rising advocates
o A relevant entertainment portion – this year features a student troupe of performing artists who write/perform poetry
o Panel Discussion & Keynote Address from local human rights leaders to discuss the theme for the year
o The event features student art submitted by local high school students. The students are prompted to create art in honor of the Declaration and the rights within it.
- Executive Director Beverly Watts submits an Opinion article to the state’s largest newspaper, The Tennessean, discussing the importance of Human Rights Day.