Posts Categorized: Human Rights

Holocaust Remembrance Day 2016

The  United States Holocaust Memorial Museum reminds us that “the internationally recognized date for Holocaust Remembrance Day corresponds to the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar. It marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. In Hebrew, Holocaust Remembrance Day is called Yom Hashoah. This year Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed on May 5, 2016…. Read more »

The Holocaust and Human Dignity

The theme for the Holocaust remembrance and education activities in 2016, including the Holocaust Memorial Ceremony, is “The Holocaust and Human Dignity”. The theme links Holocaust remembrance with the founding principles of the United Nations and reaffirms faith in the dignity and worth of every person that is highlighted in the United Nations Charter, as… Read more »

March 8 – International Women’s Day

The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”. The United Nations observance on 8 March will reflect on how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals. It will equally focus on new commitments under UN Women’s Step It Up… Read more »

16 Days of Activism – Day 16: Human Rights Day

by Paul Olson The drafters of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights specified thirty articles: rights and freedoms essential for the achievement of dignified living for all people. These rights include civil, political, social and economic liberties. The declaration represents the belief that persons can only flourish if there rights and freedoms are respected. The… Read more »

UN Human Rights Day observed December 10

from Gregg Brekke of the Presbyterian News Service Human Rights Day, observed each year on December 10, commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This year’s Human Rights Day is devoted to the launch of a year-long campaign called “Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.” The campaign… Read more »

16 Days of Activism – Day 14: Domestic Violence

by Robert Arrington Today we draw attention to the issue of violence enacted on women and girls in the home. Domestic violence can occur against women and men, boys and girls. It is a huge problem and is often unreported and never adequately addressed. It can often have devastating effects on the children in the… Read more »

Human Rights Day resources

About Human Rights Day What is Human Rights Day? What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? What has the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) said about human rights? Liturgical resources A pastoral prayer for Human Rights Day An Advent devotion for Human Rights Day A Minute for Mission for Human Rights Day You Have Made Us… Read more »

16 Days of Activism – Day 12: Advent Reflection

by Robert Arrington Today on the second Sunday of Advent, we consider the prophecy spoken by Zechariah in Luke 1:68-79:  “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David,as he spoke… Read more »

16 Days of Activism – Day 10: Why am I (a man) involved in ‘16 days of Activism’ regarding violence against girls?

by Paul Olson As a man I have become engaged in this work on violence against girls because I am a follower of Jesus Christ, and because Jesus Christ embodies the notion of compassion (meaning literally to ‘suffer with’). Henri Nouwen in his book “On Compassion” dismisses the notion of human ‘activism’, but reframes it… Read more »