Human rights as a way of life

In 2008, alongside the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the human rights group known as the Elders, founded and led by Nelson Mandela, sent out a clarion call proclaiming that “every human has rights.” This statement recalls Voltaire, who when asked, “what should we do about human rights?” answered “Let the people know them”. Having facilitated for the last 25 years the learning and integration of human rights as a way of life in more then 60 countries, I sent the Elders a note saying “But do the ‘humans’ know them? Most do not!” It is, therefore, imperative to add to the Elders’ call, loud and clear, that every human must learn, know them and own them as a way of life. It is not enough to have human rights, it is essential that everyone owns them and are guided in their daily lives by the holistic human rights framework, enabling women and men to participate as equals in the decision making process towards meaningful, sustainable economic and social transformation. There is no other option.