Today, December 10th, 2013, Human Rights day is celebrated around the world. It commemorates the day in 1948 that the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. For this occasion, Earth Charter Youth has organized a photo contest to explore the links between the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Earth Charter. The guidelines were simple:
Take a picture in your school, community or surroundings that illustrates both a principle from the Earth Charter and a principle from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This was the occasion for us all to remember what our universal human rights are, and what still need to be achieved and to be fought for to provide them to every individual. Linking the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with the principles of the Earth Charter makes evident the global interdependence and shared responsibility that both texts imply for the well-being of the whole human family, the greater community of life, and future generations.
The Earth Charter recognizes that the goals of ecological protection, the eradication of poverty, equitable economic development, and respect for human rights, democracy, and peace are interdependent and indivisible. In the light of this legitimacy, an increasing number of international lawyers recognize the Earth Charter as a soft law document like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Soft laws are considered to be morally, but not legally, binding on state governments that agree to endorse and adopt them, and they often form the basis for the development of hard law. It then provides, therefore, a new, inclusive, integrated ethical framework to guide the transition to a sustainable future.
Thank you to all the contest participants and congratulations to the winners!
Shughla Ismail
Pakistan
2013
Earth Charter Principle:
3. Build democratic societies that are just, participatory, sustainable, and peaceful.
a. Ensure that communities at all levels guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms and provide everyone an opportunity to realize his or her full potential.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article:
26. (1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
Free Gaza
Ronnie Oh
Melbourne, Australia
17th Nov 2012
Earth Charter Principle:
16. Promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace.
a. Encourage and support mutual understanding, solidarity, and cooperation among all peoples and within and among nations.
b. Implement comprehensive strategies to prevent violent conflict and use collaborative problem solving to manage and resolve environmental conflicts and other disputes
Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article:
15. (1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Kids of Bolinao
Clémence Bourrin
Pangasinan, Philippines
24th august 2013
Earth Charter Principle:
10. Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights article:
26. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to 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.
The Mother & the Weaver
Clémence Bourrin
Mae La Refugee Camp, Thailand 11th November 2013
Earth Charter Principle:
11. Affirm gender equality and equity as prerequisites to sustainable development and ensure universal access to education, health care, and economic opportunity.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights article:
13. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Sandra Antonovic
Lago di Como, Italy
2012
Earth Charter Principle:
2. Care for the community of life with understanding, compassion, and love
Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article:
3. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Saskia Troy
University lecturer Luit Kloosterman contemplating on the conventional, orthodox view on economics during conference on Economics and Buddhism at Erasmus School of Economics (ESE)
Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
20th June 2012,
Earth Charter Principle:
14. Integrate into formal education and life-long learning the knowledge, values, and skills needed for a sustainable way of life.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article:
26. (2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to 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
Distribution of 500 food packets to workers and scrap collectors
Simran Vedvyas
Al Ghusais Landfill site in United Arab Emirates
July 2013
Earth Charter Principle:
9. Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social, and environmental imperative.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article:
25. (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
Secret Home
Bertrand Boullot
Badaroux, France
23rd Nov 2013
Earth Charter Principle:
12.c. Honor and support the young people of our communities, enabling them to fulfill their essential role in creating sustainable societies.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article:
13. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
Thank you to all the contest participants!
To know more about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights you can visit the United Nations Human Rights page.
For more information about Earth Charter youth, visit our page.
For any questions or information, please write to [email protected]