seventy-five years ago today, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the wake of WWII and the Holocaust… Eleanor Roosevelt—the principle architect of the declaration—understood and personified the power of wise leadership… she knew that the most effective way to lead is by example—by living our values… when we live up to the declaration’s ideals, more people can live in freedom, with dignity and agency, and share their gifts with the world… we know that respect for human rights is foundational for peace, justice, and security and that in this new millénium as the world witnesses the current horror of genocide, we extend this declaration to be more inclusive and declare the rights of nature including all our relatives and most importantly adhered to immediately…
here’s a link to hear Eleanor read the eight page document: https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/asset/1093/1093412/
listen now to Yurii, head of the Ukrainian Pacifist Movement:
“For decades, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminds us that reason and conscience, spirit of brotherhood in a large human family, equal and inalienable rights are foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.
Now, in cold darkness at midnight, I must say the foundation is broken. Ideals of universal brotherhood and sisterhood are abandoned after dark temptations of nationalism and great powers megalomania. Welfare replaced with ugly weapons and serfdom of conscription. Deafness to calls for ceasefire and peace talks prolong bloodshed and devastation.
But when we follow our conscience, we have a hope that in the world where everyone refuses to kill there will be no wars.
So, in time of darkness let’s uphold light in our hearts and minds, freedom of conscience, human rights to peace and nonviolent way of life.”
may the the Universal Declaration of Human Rights be a global beacon – shining a light for dignity, equality & well-being for all and may we extend its reach truly to all as the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Nature…
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All the Hemispheres
“Leave the familiar for a while.
Let your senses and bodies stretch out
Like a welcomed season
Onto the meadows and shores and hills.
Open up to the Roof.
Make a new water-mark on your excitement
And love.
Like a blooming night flower,
Bestow your vital fragrance of happiness
And giving
Upon our intimate assembly.
Change rooms in your mind for a day.
All the hemispheres in existence
Lie beside an equator
In your heart.
Greet Yourself
In your thousand other forms
As you mount the hidden tide and travel
Back home.
All the hemispheres in heaven
Are sitting around a fire
Chatting
While stitching themselves together
Into the Great Circle inside of
You.”
~ Hafiz ~
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