PHA-Exch> Washington DC Human Rights City

[Claudio Schuftan]

On December 10, 2008

WASHINGTON DC DECLARED

A  HUMAN RIGHTS CITY



            The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) remains a
beacon of human values. That is why we have placed such emphasis on ongoing
learning, at the community level about human rights as a way of life. It  puts
in the hands of women and men, youth and children a deep understanding of
what human rights means in education, health, food, housing human security,
sustainability and livelihoods. It provides the essence of human dignity. By
building on this powerful force, human rights cities learn and dialogue
about the relevance of human rights to people's daily lives and contributes
to the community initiating actions that are informed by the holistic human
rights framework.



          December 10, 2008 marked the 60th anniversary of the UDHR. On this
day, citizens of the nation's capital led by individuals and organizations
affirmed their commitment to human rights by declaring Washington, D.C. a *
Human** Rights City-* that is in the process of realizing human rights.**



          A Human Rights City is one whose residents and local authorities,
through discussions and creative exchange of ideas, come to understand that
human rights when widely known as a way of life,  assists in identifying the
issues and informs actions needed for meaningful, positive economic and
social change.  As a *Human Rights City*, Washington, D.C. will be joining
other human rights cities around the world where its dwellers have
undertaken learning to claim their human rights. **

*Washington** DC is the first Human Rights City in the United States!*

This effort was  *facilitated* by: *PDHRE, People's Movement for Human
Rights Education (www.pdhre.org) and the* *American Friends Service
Committee-D.C.(www.afsc.org) and* *endorsed by* (in progress): * D.C. Office
of Human Rights*, *, Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights, DC
Jobs With Justice, Stand Up! for Democracy in DC Coalition (Free DC),
Hispanic Congregation National City Christian Church, Fellowship of
Reconciliation/D.C. Chapter, Washington Peace Center, Sociologists without
Borders (partial)*

For more information, contact jikambana at afsc.org  or call Jean-Louis Peta
Ikambana at (202) 544-0324.



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