UPF chapters in Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Peru, and Russia organized events on UN Human Rights Day in response to the UN's appeal to "Make your voice count!" December 10 is the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
The UN's theme for 2012 was "Make your voice count!" The UN offered three ways for people around the world to contribute to the global conversation:
- Share your thoughts about the right to participate in public life and political decision-making, using #VoiceCount.
- Take part in a series of four Google+ Hangouts between 22 November and 10 December to engage with senior UN officials and leading experts on the rights of minorities, persons with disabilities, the impact of business on human rights, and beyond.
- And, starting on 1 December, send the UN your questions using #AskRights. Selected questions will be answered by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at a Human Rights Day Google+ Hangout.
UPF promotes the understanding that human rights are secured not merely through laws, backed by the power of government enforcement, but by a rising awareness of our universal solidarity, that we are one human family, brothers and sisters who share a common spiritual and moral heritage. We are one family under God.
Human Rights Day presents an opportunity, every year, to celebrate human rights, highlight a specific issue, and advocate for the full enjoyment of all human rights by everyone everywhere. This year, the UN shines a spotlight on the rights of all people — women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized — to make their voices heard in public life and be included in political decision-making.