December 2008: UNESCO commemorates the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Paris, 2 December

This year’s International Human Rights Day, celebrated on 10 December, will mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. UNESCO and all its networks are organizing many events worldwide around this symbolic date, in order to promote the rights enshrined in the Declaration and sensitize the general public about the essential contribution of UNESCO to the reinforcement of rights pertaining to its fields of competence.

The main event of the commemoration will take place at UNESCO Headquarters on 10 December (Room I, from 2 to 6.30 p.m.) with the presentation of the UNESCO/Bilbao Prize for the Promotion of a Culture of Human Rights. Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, will present the prize to Stéphane Hessel, who participated in drafting the Universal Declaration, who remains an untiring champion of human rights. An honourable mention will be given to the international movement ATD Quart Monde. Expected participants at this ceremony include Rama Yade, France’s Minister of State to the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights, and Iñaki Azkuna, Mayor of Bilbao (Spain), and the films You and Human Rights (1950) and Stéphane Hessel, une histoire d’engagement (2008) will be shown. A recital by the pianist Joaquin Achúcarro, honorary citizen of the city of Bilbao and UNESCO Artist for Peace, is also scheduled. Video messages from Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, Navanethem Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Director-General of UNESCO will also be screened.

On 10 and 11 December, a round table, entitled Putting Human Rights into Practice: Role of Education, will bring together researchers, academics and representatives from the ministries of education of many countries. It will be the opportunity to discuss the implementation of human rights education in national contexts, share interesting experiences and innovative practices, and also identify areas in which human rights education should be reinforced.

Two exhibitions will be held at UNESCO Headquarters ahead of the commemoration on 10 December. Learn about Human Rights Education: Exhibition of Learning Materials (2 to 10 December, Salle des Actes) will show learning material and school textbooks from more than 50 Member States. The exhibition UNESCO Works for Human Rights: a Poster Exhibition on the Street (2 December to 27 February, on the railings of the Organization, avenue de Suffren) will show some sixty posters of the Organization which, over the years, have spread key messages linked to human rights.

Mobilization will not be limited to UNESCO, as its networks will also play an active role, especially the National Commissions for UNESCO and the Permanent Delegations of Member States. Events will be held to promote the four main rights pertaining to UNESCO’s fields of competence and encourage reflection about them: the right to freedom of expression (Article 19), the right to education (Article 26), the right to participate in cultural life (Article 27), and the right to share in scientific advancement and its benefits (also in Article 27).

One major event is the 3rd International Cairo Conference, organized on 1 and 2 December by the Egyptian National Council for Human Rights and the UNESCO Office in Cairo, which will focus on The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60 Years Later: Between rhetoric and reality. It is to be followed by a round table entitled The Contribution of the South to Human Rights and Cultural Diversity, organized at UNESCO on 3 December (6.30 p.m.) by the Permanent Delegation of Cuba to UNESCO on behalf of the Group of Non-Aligned Countries.

Also at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, the documentary René Cassin, a life in the service of humanity will be screen on 8 December at 7 p.m. It tells the story of one of the main authors of the Universal Declaration and provides insight into UNESCO’s role in promoting human rights. On 9 December, at 6.30 p.m., the opening will take place of an exhibition of photographs by Jacqueline Roche, which will present 30 portraits of great French sportsmen and women illustrating the articles of the Universal Declaration. Several athletes will be present on this occasion.

The 2nd Congress of the European Federation of UNESCO Clubs & Associations will be held on 13 December at Organization Headquarters, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Its theme – Justice and Dignity for All – echoes the slogan chosen by the United Nations system for all the events commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration. It will be followed by a meeting of young people, which will be opened by the Director-General of UNESCO. On 15 and 16 December, the UNESCO African Clubs will meet in Bamako (Mali) for a regional seminar, that will examine those human rights that concern the fields of competence of UNESCO, the implementation of the Organization’s Education for All by 2015 programme, UNESCO’s educational action against HIV/AIDS, as well as the fight against racism and all forms of discrimination. Also placed under the banner of the 60th anniversary, the 1st Conference on Human Rights in the Middle East will take place in Doha (Qatar) on 14 and 15 December. The conference will focus on violence against children and prisoners, as well as within the family.

The commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will officially end in February 2009, with the creation of an International Centre for the Advancement of Human Rights in Buenos Aires (Argentina).

• Author(s):Media Advisory N°2008-86
• Source:UNESCOPRESS
• 02-12-2008