10 December 2013 -- On this day in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has become a universal standard for defending and promoting human rights. Every year on 10 December, Human Rights Day marks the adoption of the Universal Declaration. It is celebrated around the globe that "All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms".

This year Human Rights Day is foreshadowed by the death of Nelson Mandela (1918-2013), one of the most eminent, respected and inspiring ambassadors for human rights and human dignity.

Selected learning materials

Human Rights Here & Now: Celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
This manual is intended to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to further human rights education in the United States. It can be used by educators in classrooms, by human rights advocates in informal settings, and by individuals for their own self-learning.

Illustrated version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
A simplified and illustrated version of the 30 articles of the UDHR. Intended for children eight year and older. Accompanied with instructions for a lesson activity.

Learning Activities about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Some ideas to help you explore images through a human rights lens.

The UDHR: What's in it for Me?
Through this exercise workshop participants will become more familiar with the provisions of the UDHR's 30 articles; will acquire cognitive and analytical skills in applying the UDHR to specific problems; and will become empowered to apply rights principles in their real life circumstances.

What are Human Rights? - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Estonia)
Chapter from a textbook for an optional subject in grade eight of general comprehensive schools.


Useful links

Text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Simplified version of the Universal Declaration

Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 375 languages

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Human Rights Day 2012 (OHCHR)

UDHR 60th anniversary slideshow on UDHR's importance for human rights education (HREA)

Information about the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration (OHCHR)

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute (UDHR 50th Anniversary) 

The impact of human rights education on community policing (30 November 2012)

'A Path to Dignity' screened at Council of Europe in Strasbourg (29 November 2012)

Premalatha's story (2 November 2012)