english |  français |  español View RSS feedWhat is RSS?  Home  |  Contact us  |  FAQs  |  Search  |  Sitemap  |  UNDP Information Disclosure Policy
 
You are here:  Home > Current highlight > Human Rights Day 2008
  UNV and human rights: Dignity and justice for all    
Bonn, Germany - December 2008: It is 60 years since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In his statement for Human Rights Day on 10 December, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon notes the following:

"The Declaration reflects humanity’s aspirations for a future of prosperity, dignity and peaceful coexistence. Its adoption was a landmark. Today, the Declaration remains a core part of the UN’s very identity."

The theme for 2008, 'Dignity and justice for all of us', reinforces the vision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a commitment to the entire human race. Across the world, UN Volunteers are working towards this vision: monitoring and reporting on abuses, sensitizing institutions and communities, and helping to protect individual people.

Read on to discover more about their work.

Human rights work means closely consulting with national staff such as Alphonso Mulbah (left), officer of the Women and Children Protection Section of the Liberian National Police. (UNV)
Sensitivity and belief: A Human Rights Officer's experience
17 December 2008
Greenville, Liberia: From helping to protect a juvenile prisoner to organizing events for Human Rights Day, the work of a UNV volunteer Human Rights Officer is never short of interest, as Jon Izaguirre Garcia explains from Liberia. Read
More about: Governance  Human rights
Countries:  Liberia  Spain
Changing attitudes in Uganda
10 December 2008
Nira, Uganda: In northern Uganda, a UNV volunteer Human Rights Officer is helping to ensure that the security services and communities alike understand human rights. Read
More about: Gender  Human rights
Countries:  Uganda
UNV volunteer Human Rights Officer Eugenio Sartoretto (left) conducting human rights sensitization activities on International Volunteer day in Côte d’Ivoire. (UNV)
Promoting human rights in Côte d’Ivoire
10 December 2008
Bondoukou, Côte d’Ivoire: A quarter of the inmates at Bondoukou prison are still awaiting trial. Some have been there for years. A UNV volunteer is helping to ensure that their human rights are recognized. Read
More about: Gender  Human rights
Countries:  Côte d'Ivoire  Italy
Building gender equality in Kosovo
09 December 2008
Pristina, Kosovo: A UNV volunteer has been helping to uphold women's rights in Kosovo by assisting policymakers develop institutions and building their confidence to put legislation into effect. Read
More about: Gender  Human rights
Countries:  Kosovo
UNV volunteer Emmanuel Bryma Momoh (2nd from left) with youth during a school human rights sensitization campaign. (UNV)
A human rights diary: 16 days in Liberia
09 December 2008
Zwedru, Liberia: From Liberia, Emmanuel Bryma Momoh, a UNV volunteer Human Rights Officer with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Human Rights and Protection Section, shares his thoughts and activities from 16 days dedicated to promoting human rights. Read
More about: Gender  Human rights  People with disabilities
Countries:  Liberia  Sierra Leone
Community trainers supported by online volunteers increase awareness of women's rights in communities in northern Pakistan. (UNV)
Volunteers support human rights over the Internet
09 December 2008
Bonn, Germany: Online volunteers are sharing their professional skills to strengthen human rights advocacy in Afghanistan and northern Pakistan. Read
More about: Human rights  Online volunteering
Countries:  Afghanistan  Pakistan
Moses Tumusiime (left), UNV Programme Assistant in Uganda, receives a plaque of recognition from the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Edward Ssekandi, and UHRC Chairperson, Mrs. Margaret Ssekaggya. (UNV)
UNV human rights work recognized in Uganda
11 November 2008
Kampala, Uganda: UNV has received special recognition from civil society and senior UN officials for its work to enhance human rights in Uganda. Read
More about: Human rights
Countries:  Uganda
UNV volunteer Mileydi Guilarte (left) from the USA works as a Human Rights Officer for UNMIT in Timor-Leste. "I just had to get involved - I didn't have a choice," she says. (UNV)
Providing protection: Human Rights Officers
18 September 2008
UNV volunteer Human Rights Officers and Advisors work across the UN's peacekeeping missions, helping to restore mutual respect among populations traumatized by war. Read
More about: Human rights  Peace & conflict resolution
Countries:  Côte d'Ivoire  Timor-Leste
  Print page
UNV is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)