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Human rights all too often seen as something that is too idealist, too high level or too technical by ordinary people.

I’ve just recently joined CIVICUS to coordinate the Every Human Has Rights campaign which was originally held by the Elders.  I’m trying to evolve it from what as a campaign to revive the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) in its 60th year in 2008, to a platform for awareness and action on human rights, (based on the UDHR principles). 

Human rights all too often seen as something that is too idealist, too high level or too technical by ordinary people.

I’ve just recently joined CIVICUS to coordinate the Every Human Has Rights campaign which was originally held by the Elders.  I’m trying to evolve it from what as a campaign to revive the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) in its 60th year in 2008, to a platform for awareness and action on human rights, (based on the UDHR principles).

There are two ways the platform will work: by trying to increase awareness of the UDHR; and to engage people in taking action.   The audiences we’re aiming at are two-fold: people in developed and developing countries who have access to information (primarily online) but aren’t aware of the UDHR; people in developing countries who do not have regular access to information.

 We’re currently promoting human rights issues through news and updates as well as supporting campaigns, such as on the MDGs and education.  We’re also trying to support campaigns from developing country organisations that may not have a platform - it's mainly online but we are looking at ways to get beyond the online sphere, but we do have a growing following online – particularly on Facebook and Causes.

 I’m looking at how to really make human rights and the UDHR relevant in todays world - bringing it away from the legal battles and global UN discussions to make it something that everyday people have a basic awareness of and can act to uphold human rights in their everyday lives.  As a community of activists and advocates, I would really like to hear your views.  What are the challenges as you see them to getting people in the developed world to think about and act on human rights?  How could awareness on human rights aid people in the developing world?

What experience do you have that you can share or what ideas do you have around popularising human rights?  Would you be interested in becoming more involved in this platform?

Do take a look at the website www.everyhumanhasrights.org – and suggest topics, resources and campaigns to promote if you have them - we're working to become more of an open platform for people to submit and engage with.

Thanks