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Motivation Mondays: HUMAN RIGHTS

12/12/2016
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“Upholding human rights is in the interest of all. Respect for human rights advances well-being for every individual, stability for every society, and harmony for our interconnected world” — United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Motivation Mondays: HUMAN RIGHTS - Matters and Impacts us all

Motivation Mondays: HUMAN RIGHTS – It Matters and Impacts us all


UNO: Human Rights Day Video

Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.
This year, Human Rights Day calls on everyone to stand up for someone’s rights! Disrespect for basic human rights continues to be wide-spread in all parts of the globe. Extremist movements subject people to horrific violence. Messages of intolerance and hatred prey on our fears. Humane values are under attack. UN Human Rights Day

 

What does Universal Human Rights mean to you?   Did you know Saturday, December 10, was Human Rights Day ?  Human Rights is a topic that calls our attention every day because, somewhere, some place on this beautiful planet of ours, someone’s human rights is being violated, cast aside and in some cases terminated. Even though Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” we live in an unequal world where 60 million people are displaced by war and repressive regimes, and 1 million people seek asylum in neighboring countries or in nations further afield.  As people flee the terror in their homelands to seemingly safer nations, they find an unwelcome push back from locals who feel the presence of new immigrants will strain their coffers and culture. We are in a changing world and, while some of us can afford to tune out these shifts and the fleeing millions,  we will eventually feel the impact in every nation across the globe.

Where does it begin? Whether you are fortunate enough to live in a free country that protects your human rights or not, we must not forget those whose basic, fundamental freedoms are denied around the world.  The truth is that Human Rights begins in our homes with us, our actions, and our attitudes towards those who don’t look or think like us. When we negate the existence of other members of our human race  behind closed doors or publicly, our disdain finds a doorway through which it spreads, sometimes quietly and insidiously, tainting and maiming everyone in its path, including ourselves. If we  make an effort to connect with others and find common ground in our differences, we will be part of the solution to rebuild our world. So, the theme for this year’s UN Human Rights campaign is “Stand up for someone’s rights today.”  Who will that be?  We can begin at home by encouraging our loved ones and supporting their choices and dreams. We can begin by making peace an unequivocal priority in our households and our dealings with others. We can take the UN’s five suggested ways to stand up for human rights and share them with everyone who crosses our path. (see below)

READ: Human Rights Watch: WORLD REPORT | 2016 EVENTS OF 2015

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world… Eleanor Roosevelt

Motivation Mondays: HUMAN RIGHTS - Matters and Impacts us all

Motivation Mondays: HUMAN RIGHTS – It Matters and Impacts us all

Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world. Eleanor Roosevelt

What does the UN recommend as proactive ways to help us understand the powerful impact standing up for rights can have on us and our communities? As far back as I can remember, I’ve always believed that the first place and way to fight oppression and discrimination is at home. We teach our children what we know, and they take those messages and ideas with them into the world. We help them to develop a world view that might be expansive or myopic, and that world view will become the vision shared with others. So what we do and say at home has tremendous impact not just at home but globally.  How can we make an impact in a positive way? How can we motivate ourselves to change for the good of our global community? Here are 5 suggested tips? Read them below and choose which path of action works best for you.

1. Inform yourself and others about why human rights matter
Read and share the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Record the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in your native language and contribute to a collection of audio recordings to make the document more accessible.
Make and disseminate a video of yourself with a friend talking about why you believe human rights matter (e.g. non-discrimination, gender equality or freedom of expression).
Promote stories on your social media about people that you know have stood up for rights
2. Speak out/up when another (person’s) rights are at risk or under attack
If you see someone being harassed, bullied or ridiculed on the street, on public transportation, while shopping or at school, stand with them.
Use social media to stand with people who are facing reprisals for defending human rights e.g. activists, indigenous leaders, environmentalists, lawyers, trade unionists, journalists, etc.
At work, in school, around the dinner table, help someone whose voice is rarely heard to share their views.
3. Stand with others’ human rights
Donate to organizations that support victims of human rights abuses.
Join public events in support of human rights – online and/or in the street.
Volunteer with a group that promotes human rights defenders
4. Call on leaders to uphold human rights
Lobby your government to uphold rights: sign related petitions; lobby your legislators to pass human-rights friendly laws and to repeal unfriendly ones
Urge your employer to sign up to the UN Global Compact and adhere to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; promote celebration of human rights in the work place (e.g. nondiscrimination, family friendly policies, decent working conditions, equal pay for equal work).
Urge your community’s leaders (e.g. religious, local, sporting, cultural leaders) to make public commitments to human rights.
5. In everyday life action
Combat myths with facts: in online and daily conversations, challenge harmful stereotypes
Speak up for tolerance and against prejudice. Keep yourself in check, challenge your own views and prejudices
Consider the human rights track record of companies before doing your shopping
Talk to your children about human rights and point out positive and diverse role models. UN Take Action

 

The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for October and November 2016 are:

NOVEMBER
11/01/6 –   01 All Saints Day/Day of the Dead,  02 All Soul’s Day, o3, Culture Day, 05 Guy Fawkes Day
11/07   –  07 Chocolate + Almonds Day, 11 Martinmas/Remembrance Day/Veterans Day/Armistice Day, 13 World Kindness Day
11/14 – 14 Full Moon, 15 Republic Day, 16 Day of Repentance 20, National Black Consciousness Day/Revolution Day
11/21 –   21 World Hello Day, 23 National Cashew Day, 24 Thanksgiving Day
11/28  –   29 New Moon/E-Greetings Day/National Day of Listening

 

DECEMBER
12/05   –    01 World AIDS day,  02 Intnt’nl Abolition of Slavery Day, o7 Pearl Harbor/Remembrance, 08 Immaculate Conception,
12/12   –    10 Human Rights Day, 12 Green Day,  16 Day of Reconciliation,
12/19   –    18 Intnt’nl Migrants Day, 21 Winter Solstice, 24 Start of Hanukkah,  25  Christmas Day
12/26  –    26 Start of Kwanzaa Day, 31 End of Year!

Are You Looking for Ways to Stay Creative in 2016?

PostaDayPostaWeekCollage1
– Join the Daily Post Post-a-day or Post-a-week Challenge.

BHWritingLab_052016_post_PROMPT1A

— Join the BlogHer Writing Lab

 

More Below!

“It’s time for each of us to step up for human rights. There is no action that is too small: wherever you are, you can make a difference. Together, let’s take a stand for more humanity” — UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein

Motivation Mondays: HUMAN RIGHTS - Matters and Impacts us all

Motivation Mondays: HUMAN RIGHTS – It Matters and Impacts us all

We must reaffirm our common humanity. Wherever we are, we can make a real difference. In the street, in school, at work, in public transport; in the voting booth, on social media.
The time for this is now. “We the peoples” can take a stand for rights. And together, we can take a stand for more humanity.
It starts with each of us. Step forward and defend the rights of a refugee or migrant, a person with disabilities, an LGBT person, a woman, a child, indigenous peoples, a minority group, or anyone else at risk of discrimination or violence. UN Human Rights Day

Are You Motivated by Love or Fear? According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the global shift and growth in populists movements, and the increase in refugees fleeing their native lands into other countries reached a peak in 2016 as the fear of terror, the adoption of repressive laws, and the disruption of civil society gained ground in many nations globally. The pdf from HRW which I encourage you to read, considers how the Politics of Fear and the shifts in civil society impact us. It looks at the range of legal recognition available to transgender people and how those rights are addressed and challenged globally; It reminds us of the need to end the practice of child-brides and early underage marriages and how that impacts girls in poor countries; and it delves deep into the heart-wrenching problem of children behind bars and the global increase in the detention of minors. While these issues might not affect you directly, they have overarching global impacts that will ultimately come to roost on our doorsteps. When we start to see our human rights as a universal right that should be enjoyed by all, not just a few, we will be on the path to uniting our world and putting an end to strife, war and hatreds.

If you are not motivated to act, perhaps the sobering figures below will stir something inside of you. But first, we must consider ways to act and be of service to humanity: This could be done in so many ways both small and large; we can read, share information, educate those around us, donate time, money, and goodwill to organizations of peace, and make a concerted effort to speak up whenever we can. We live in a world where 40 million children under the age of 15 have their rights violated daily. We are silent observers of the 27 million people enslaved in the human and sex trafficking trade around the world. We live in a world where 245 million children are child laborers with no rights to their freedom or future. We live in a global community where armed conflict has decimated communities leaving 2 million children dead, 4 to 5 million disabled, and 12 million homeless because warring factions can’t come to the table to act in the best interests of their people and the world at large. As citizens living in countries where common basic rights of movement, speech and religious freedom are ubiquitous, it behooves us to not forget to add our voices and our prayers to support those who live in countries where such rights don’t exist or where they have been subverted by despots and war. What will motivate you to act?
READ: Do Something: 11 Facts About Human Rights Violations

 

Have a productive week ahead!

Any Zen Antics stories via Goodweb.cn

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Positive Motivation Tip: We can make an impact by choosing to be conscious of our collective human rights on a daily basis. Your actions can make a difference!

Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to compliment the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.

Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM
Related Posts

 

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos –  Human Rights  General Assembly, via Wikipedia, and/or  Human Rights  via Pixabay

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet

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from → Global Events, Motivation Mondays, Positive Advice, Posts & Photos 2016
40 Comments leave one →
  1. Ellie permalink
    12/12/2016 8:54 pm

    I feel like this post is so incredibly important and powerful for the current times. I agree that teaching human rights begins at home.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      13/12/2016 12:18 pm

      I’m with you on that count. After all, oppressive leaders were once children. When we raise our kids in an environment of hate, we can’t expect honey to grow. Some make it out with their own vision but, many kids tow the line… As parents, we must be vigilant. <3

      Reply
  2. Waiting for Fireflies permalink
    13/12/2016 7:53 am

    What a great list of action items. I am working hard with my children to not only speak up for themselves, but to speak up for others, as well as to be motivated by love. Great post.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      13/12/2016 12:15 pm

      Great effort on your part! Thank you! The work begins in our homes. Nothing is more disturbing that to see a child filled with hatred…. The negative messaging must stop!

      Reply
  3. Jamie permalink
    13/12/2016 10:08 am

    Human rights are so important to talk about and remember that we need to keep making steps in the right direction, helping everyone get rights. It is really great there is a day dedicated to bringing awareness to the issue.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      13/12/2016 12:14 pm

      Indeed. Thank you Jamie! As bloggers we have a platform we can use to make a difference in the lives of others. Regardless of our niche, we can commit to raising awareness about different issues that affect our local and global communities. Every voice counts. <3

      Reply
  4. Cindy Ingalls permalink
    13/12/2016 10:10 am

    This topic is so relevant today. It’s easy to take for granted that everyone has the same rights as we do here in America. But the truth is many people are struggling and have no voice, which is why we all need to stand up and show our support.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      13/12/2016 12:11 pm

      Cindy thank you for your thoughtful feedback! People who live in nations that are NOT led by oppressive leaders don’t even think about it until their rights are infringed upon. It is the nature of the beast. We must be vigilant and stand up for those whose voices can’t be heard because they have been silenced by authoritarian regimes. Human rights is a universal right… we must not forget it. <3

      Reply
  5. Crystal Bowley Reagan permalink
    13/12/2016 11:25 am

    I feel disheartened some days that our leaders don’t really hear us. Do they read those letters and postcards I send? Do they listen to the messages? I hope they do, and I hope they are working towards protecting human rights.

    Reply
    • Eliz@MirthandMotivation permalink*
      13/12/2016 12:08 pm

      Some do and some don’t. We live in a fractious world that is increasingly marred by fake news. People believe the worst about others and the first choice is to hate not debate. That said, I still believe in the power of the human spirit and the presence of good to hold us up to the light. We can’t afford to fall into despair about our world. My hope is yours. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
      PS. I wish all those folks who think “Thank you for sharing!” is a comment would read yours, and take a little time to read and leave a meaningful comment like yours…
      Again, thank you!

      Reply

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