OHCHR | Human Rights Day

Later this week, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will be launching a year-long, Office-wide “UDHR 75 initiative” to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the UDHR and the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action that paved the way for the establishment of his Office. The initiative will be structured across three tracks: Promoting universality and indivisibility, Looking to the future, and Bolstering the human rights ecosystem. With an eye to the past as well as to the future, the initiative aims at providing an opportunity to recall the consensus envisaged by the UDHR and to reset, strengthen and further develop the global commitment to human rights.

As part of the “UDHR 75 initiative,” the Office has started to promote the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR 75) on its online platforms. The dedicated campaign pages are available on the website in the 6 UN languages and on the Trello Board. You will find key messages, visual assets (including the logo) and the High Commissioner video statement.

In the coming days, the Office will highlight Human Rights Day engagement around art. 1 of the UDHR, with a focus on spotlight themes on social media such as disabilities, climate change and gender. They will also release a PSA video and launch a series of initiatives, including “My UDHR story” and a first podcast, both featuring the High Commissioner.

In Geneva, on 9 December, the High Commissioner will hold a press conference. On 10 December, he will be participating in a live Instagram (15:00 CET). On 8 December, the Deputy High Commissioner will have a Twitter space conversation. 

In New York, the Office will launch the Photography 4 Humanity exhibition with the theme “Climate Justice” in partnership with DavidClarkCause. It will be on display outside the GA Hall from 8 Dec-3 Jan 2023. 

Field presences and the UN family will also conduct a number of activities around the world to celebrate Human Rights Day. And in Geneva the UN Human Rights flags are flying on the Mont Blanc Bridge this week. Other partners are joining them for Human Rights Day:

• The Office is collaborating with Canva a free-to-use online graphic design tool. It is used to create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos and more. By partnering with them, users will have access to their designs globally.
• They are partnering with Kahoot, a game-based learning platform, used as educational technology. With the support of the NYO, they will be launching of new Kahoot! Quiz for children on UDHR and new human rights challenges.

Many people have already expressed their support for Human Rights with a photo frame. Join the Office by posting your photo with their filters inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, available here in the 6 UN Languages.

Finally, on 8 December OHCHR’s Methodology, Education and Training Section, along with UNESCO and the Office of the Secretary-General' Envoy on Youth, are hosting an online webinar on Transforming education through human rights. The meeting will explore the evolving role of human rights and how they can transform societies, especially with input of young people. The meeting takes place 1300 – 1500 CET. You can register for the event here: Meeting Registration - Zoom

For more information, please contact Nicolas Meulders, at nicolas.meulders@un.org, or Kaylois Henry, at kaylois.henry@un.org.

Source: United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)