Bloggers Unite for Human Rights!

A united global community of bloggers can stir up, and draw attention to just about anything, when the effort is put forth. A force that cannot be ignored, bloggers never cease to speak out, exercising unique voices, and exclaiming through the power of word, opinions about the world in which we live.

May 15. Today, we unite to write about universal human rights. Each blogger providing individual perspectives and insight into issues that engage, and concern us. That which ultimately concerns us, is the development of a just world for all.

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood". This statement found in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1), not only declares our freedom, equality, and dignity. It calls us also to action, and responsibility. We have a collective responsibility to speak out and work on behalf of those, whose basic human rights are not upheld, and maintained.

As a Registered Nurse, my natural inclination is to express special concern for those people who are too ill, or too young to fully influence their lives without help, and support.

When pondering and discussing human rights, my attention is without fail, drawn to the children of this world. Childhood is the starting point of our journey through life. A time of hope, freshness, development, and potential. The time in life when it is so very crucial that fundamental resources are available to support the development of small curious minds, and healthy bodies. Protecting the rights of all children should be of top priority.

We all know that proper nourishment, clean water, shelter, clean air to breathe, healthcare, and education are necessary. They are the building blocks of development. Children need love, and support. Children also need security, and peace in their surroundings. The subject of peace is often forgotten when we speak of development. You can feed a child, clothe them, and keep them physically healthy, but if they live in fear at any level, then the stress will affect their development. They will not have the peace of mind needed to focus on their tasks, nor the freedom of happiness to develop into well-adjusted adults.

I mention this aspect for an important reason. When we speak of human rights, we often focus on the less fortunate populations of the world. We point our fingers at corrupt, and negligent governments that exploit citizens. It is easy to forget that each society has issues to deal with. The physical and emotional security of children is an issue in each, and every society. Let us not forget this, even though wealth and good fortune may be the outwardly flaunted mask.

They say that it takes a village to raise a child. It is also said that by educating women and mothers, a village and its children gain a chance to flourish. I would like to state that the village is no longer a small tribe found in the bush, a suburb, a city, or even a country. The village must, and should be the collective efforts of the world's adult population. Our world is the village, and the human rights of all children must be protected.

(1) Universal Declaration of Human Rights; United Nations, http://www.un.org

Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948

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.

(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

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.

(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.

(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children

Article 28.

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.