 Geri Andrews writes about this year's 75th Anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year is the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 217A in Paris on 10th December 1948. Article 1 lays out the philosophy on which it is based: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards each other in the spirit of brotherhood”. In the aftermath of the 1st and 2nd World Wars it was felt that a framework had to be constructed to counter anything of such horror ever happening again. Representatives from different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world worked together on the original draft. The document has 30 articles and is seen as the basis for the current and future progress of human rights, forming a legal framework for the peaceful and prosperous co-existence of everyone on Earth. Eleanor Roosevelt served as the 1st chair of the UN Commission of Human Rights, overseeing the drafting of the document itself. She said, “Where do, after all, 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 neighbourhood 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 concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the wider world.” Her words underline the importance of day to day personal interactions, and that through these people can recognise our shared humanity.  Eleanor Roosevelt and the UDHR Article 26 states everyone has a right to education. “Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.”
There is sometimes a tendency to culturally glorify historical conflicts and conquests for the purposes of national identity, and the memory of the suffering and destruction caused is inevitably lessened by the passage of time. Peace Education is of such importance. It shows how rewarding and fulfilling it is to know and experience the qualities of being human, such as appreciation, understanding, compassion and contentment. It helps give children and young people a voice and a choice. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a historic document which outlines the rights and freedoms to which all people are entitled. It has been accepted by nearly every state, has been translated into 500 languages and is a catalyst for improving human rights protection for women, disabled people and First Nation peoples. Although it does not afford the same rights to other animals on earth as to human beings, as people continue to grow in knowledge of their place within the natural world, this relationship will surely be considered. The Global Peace Education Network recently hosted a celebration of its 75th anniversary.
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 First Folio in the Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC, USA Geri Andrews writes
This year 2023 is the 400th anniversary of the publication of William Shakespeare’s First Folio. In acknowledgement of this, here is a song from the play As You Like It, a romantic comedy written and performed around 1598-1600. In a society where marriages were mostly arranged, it is a play about love.With characteristic pith and wit, he observes that the coldest, harshest weather is never as cruel as when people forget to care for each other, or appreciate the blessings of life. Although not used much in 21st century English, the word ‘jolly’ comes from the old French word ‘jolif’ meaning ‘pretty, attractive, joyous, merry’. In Old Norse ‘jól’ (now Yule) was the word for the mid-winter celebration. “Blow, blow, thou winter wind” by William Shakespeare (As You Like It. Act II, Scene VII) Blow, blow thou winter wind, Thou art not so unkind As man’s ingratitude; Thy tooth is not so keen, Because thou art not seen, Although thy breath be rude. Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly. Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. Then, heigh-ho, the holly! This life is most jolly. Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky, That dost not bite so nigh As benefits forgot; Though thou the waters warp, Thy sting is not so sharp As friend remembered not. Heigh-ho! sing, heigh-ho! unto the green holly. Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. Then, heigh-ho, the holly! This life is most jolly. |
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