About the UDHR 70th Anniversary
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the very foundation of the international community, will turn 70 years on 10 December 2018. It is a milestone to celebrate together and a unique opportunity to shine a light on its gift to the world.
Thanks to the Declaration, the dignity of millions has been uplifted, untold human suffering prevented and the foundations for a most just world have been laid. While its promise is yet to be fulfilled, the very fact that it has stood the test of time is testament to the enduring universality of its perennial values of equality, justice and human dignity.
To highlight, both globally and locally, what the UDHR means for people in their everyday lives, The UN will launch a yearlong campaign this Human Rights Day (December 10th, 2017) in the lead-up to the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2018.
This campaign has three core objectives: to promote, engage and reflect. The aim is to engage a broad base of audiences the world over; to help promote understanding of how the UDHR empowers us all; and encourage further reflection on the ways that each of us can stand up for rights, every day. The campaign will continue with the Stand Up call to action (#standup4humanrights).
Anastasia Crickley is President of the UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the treaty body which monitors implementation of the ICERD. She was the first Chairperson of the Fundamental Rights Agency and a Chair of its predecessor, the European Monitoring Centre on Racism. Anastasia was also Head of the Department of Applied Social Studies for many years. She retired in 2015.