Dear Educators!

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), one of the United Nations’ founding documents, asserts that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and in rights.” The declaration contains thirty articles outlining fundamental rights inherent to every person around the globe. But how can students claim those rights if they do not know what they are? 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights emerged from the rubble of World War II and the Holocaust. This lesson is designed both to introduce students to international human rights standards and to ground the UDHR in the history of the Holocaust. The following activities allow students to explore this important document and the atrocities that may have inspired the protections contained within it. 

Although its articles are not legally binding, the UDHR serves as a moral compass for the international community. With this in mind, students will look at the historical context of the UDHR and have an opportunity to envision a future in which human rights are granted and protected for all people. We hope this lesson is a useful step in your students’ journeys to demand and protect human rights for all. 
 

THANKS

Hope of Family