Every Human has Rights, a campaign by the Elders

2008 is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 60th anniversary. It's time for a global conversation about human rights and the values that unite us as one human family. But it can also be a time when each of us chooses to take human rights into our daily lives, by joining a powerful people network.

Last December, The Elders joined with partner organizations around the world to launch the Every Human Has Rights campaign, celebrating an idea that took shape sixty years ago this December.

On December 10th, 1948, the newly formed United Nations adopted a universal declaration that transcended cultural and national boundaries. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights established a common standard for human achievement for all peoples and all nations; rooted in the values of freedom, equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect and shared responsibility.

Our commitment to sentiments contained in the Universal Declaration is as important today as it was 60 years ago.

Our world remains marked by divisions and gripped by fear. Genocide is happening again. Poverty is trapping billions in lives of despair. Challenges like climate change, lack of access to health and shortage of decent employment opportunities confront us all. 

Every Human Has Rights! and it's time for us to take individual responsibility. Only with many individual voices behind them can The Elders and others make a substantial call on governments to deliver on their commitments to protect and uphold our human rights.

Make your personal pledge by signing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights today.

The Elders, who are they?

" Despite all the ghastliness that is around, human beings are made for goodness. The ones who ought to be held in high regard are not the ones who militarily powerful, nor even economically prosperous. They are the ones that have a commitment to try and make the world a better place. We - The Elders - will endeavor to support those people and do our best for humanity." Desmond Tutu.

 Out of deep concern for the challenges currently facing all of the people of our world, Nelson Mandela, Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu have convened a group of leaders to contribute their wisdom, independent leadership and integrity to tackling some of the world's toughest problems.

The Story so far:

1999. Peter Gabriel begins a conversation with Richard Branson about The Elders - a new gathering of world leaders who will come together to guide and support our 'global village'. For their model they looked to traditional village elders, trusted by their people to resolve conflict within their communities.

In 2001 Gabriel and Branson take their idea to Nelson Mandela and Graça Machel. Mandela is immediately enthusiastic and, with the help of Graça Machel and Desmond Tutu, sets about bringing together  the group of Elders you see here today.

Never before has such a powerful group of leaders come together. Free from political, economic or military pressures. The only agenda of The Elders is that of humanity. And their only purpose is to ease human suffering in three essential areas:

1. Offering a catalyst for the peaceful resolution of conflict.

2. Seeking new approaches to seemingly intractable global issues.

3. Sharing wisdom: reaching out to grassroots Elders and to the next generation of leaders. Listening and helping to amplify voices for good all over the world.