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Dec. 10, 2025, is the annual celebration of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This year’s theme is “Human Rights: Our Every Day Essentials.” It is intended to
be a reminder that our every day experiences depend greatly on the preservation of basic human rights—spending time with family, reading the news, walking freely, drinking clean water, or enjoying a meal … This year the theme also celebrates that the UN Declaration, ratified in Paris in 1948 by the General Assembly, was the first to codify these every day essentials as embedded in universal human rights. The vote in support of this Declaration included a “yes” from the United States.
Today, more than usual, we are experiencing deep challenges to these universal human rights and their “Every Day Essentials” here in Rochester, throughout the US and around the world. Consequently, not only reminders, but opportunities for reflection and action are needed in our community. We can celebrate that many in our community are already responding to these challenges in diverse ways. More is needed.
A small planning committee for Human Rights Week surrounding Dec. 10 has been planned by an interfaith group emerging from the Greater Rochester Community of Churches, started as Voices of Faith on Immigration. We have been challenged to think more broadly, giving opportunity for reflection and action that includes not only the immigration crisis but extends well beyond it. We are a ‘sanctuary community”—yes, for immigrants and refugees, but also for ALL OF US. These universal human rights are being challenged for All OF US in our every day experiences.
The result of our own group reflections has been to plan a week of human rights opportunities for reflection offered by speakers from many faiths, recognizing actions of others in our community to date, and creating brainstorming opportunities for forward thinking actions to the human rights challenges we face. The calendar of events, some planned by us and some planned by others, in the spirit of universal human rights, is included as invitation to engage with us during this week of reflection and wider conversation about our community values; and, also, to challenge you personally to reflect on how you depend on these universal human rights for your “every day essentials”.
An electronic copy of the Human Rights Week Calendar of Events is available at https://www.tiar.org/news.
Madeline Schmitt
The Beacon welcomes comments and letters from readers who adhere to our comment policy including use of their full, real name. See “Leave a Reply” below to discuss on this post. Comments of a general nature may be submitted to the Letters page by emailing [email protected].
Thanks to the Greater Rochester Community of Churches for promoting and honoring this important day in world history. The Declaration of Human Rights was the world’s reaction to the rise of fascism and its role in the death, destruction, and genocide of WW II.
Those interested in the positions of the current administration on foreign policy, court cases on immigration, and on birthright citizenship, to name a few, should review this declaration.