Government of New Brunswick

What you can do to support human rights

human-rights

On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a trend-setting international human rights document that recognizes the inherent dignity and human rights of all persons, and has been the foundational text for aspirations of freedom, justice, equity, and peace around the world.

Today we live in a global order that is governed by international human rights covenants and treaties and national human rights laws, all of which take inspiration from the founding principles articulated in the UDHR.

Every year, Human Rights Day is celebrated internationally on December 10 to raise awareness and mobilize calls to action for upholding the rights and freedoms enshrined in the UDHR.

Everyone can play an important role in the promotion of equality and fairness, underlying principles of both the UDHR and the New Brunswick Human Rights Act. You can participate in this cause by:

  • Recognizing that we are all human beings with unique abilities and needs.
  • Being aware of your own rights and of your responsibility to respect the rights of others.
  • Avoiding stereotypes based on race, sex, disability, gender, class, nationality, etc.
  • Accommodating the special needs of others whenever and wherever possible.
  • Speaking out against discriminatory comments and conduct.
  • Supporting those who are discriminated against.
  • Being constantly aware of the need to ensure equality of opportunity and fairness in your day-to-day dealings and interactions.

The UDHR empowers us all, and human rights promise a fair, equitable, and just society for all.

Here is what you can do to acknowledge, uphold, and celebrate human rights.

 

As an Individual

as-an-individual
 
 

In the community

in-your-community
 
  • Ask your municipality to issue a proclamation on human rights.
  • Organize an artistic performance or cultural event centred around a human rights theme.
  • Organize a public reading of the UDHR and the NB Human Rights Act.
  • Host an online conference, webinar, or panel discussion for Human Rights Day, inviting activists, community leaders, or authors to speak about human rights.
  • Encourage new connections by networking and bringing together human rights advocates at an event to discuss ideas and initiatives.
  • Organize a human rights exhibit at a local gallery.
  • Facilitate a self-advocacy workshop to empower and educate people about human rights.
  • Start a Facebook campaign and encourage people in your social circle to change their profile pictures to an individualized Human Rights Day banner.
  • Hold a candlelight vigil or other commemorative event to honour those who have suffered human rights abuses.
 

In school

in-school
 
  • Display a copy of the UDHR and the NB Human Rights Act prominently in your school or classroom.
  • Organize an exhibit of books and information on human rights in your school, library, or classroom.
  • Encourage your school or class to develop its own charter of rights and responsibilities.
  • Develop a human rights pledge for students and teachers to recite.
  • Discuss current events and identify relevant human rights issues related to those events.
  • Add books relating to human rights in your syllabus.
  • Organize a student group to combat bullying and harassment, promote the right to be different, and ensure that everyone has the same opportunities in your school.
  • Organize a reading of the Universal Declaration and the NB Human Rights Act at the school assembly.
  • Invite a guest speaker to deliver a presentation about human rights to your school or class.
  • Host an art or writing competition on a particular human rights issue.
  • Encourage training programs to help teachers present human rights educational materials.
  • Work with a member of your student government or student council to pass a resolution in honour of Human Rights Day.
  • Write an op-ed or article about human rights in your school’s newspaper or magazine.
  • Create or take over part of a notice board for human rights activities, news, and issues.
  • Present an annual award to recognize students or staff who have contributed to human rights in your school.
 

At work

at-work
 
  • Display a copy of the UDHR and the NB Human Rights Act prominently in your office or workplace.
  • Include information about the UDHR and the NB Human Rights Act in pay envelopes, bills, and flyers
  • Review your employment policies to eliminate systemic discrimination.
  • Request a human rights workshop.
  • Share the Human Rights in New Brunswick handout with your co-workers to have conversations about human rights and inclusion in your workplace
 

Visit the following for more ideas