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 30 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? And how can students look at their own words and actions and make the connection to larger issues of human rights? 

This lesson is designed to (1) introduce students to international human rights standards and (2) expose students to stories of real people who have had their rights violated and have acted as human rights defenders. The following activities allow students to explore this important document and the framework it provides in the struggle for human rights around the world. 

Understanding the concept of human rights is essential to asserting our rights and the rights of others. Although its articles are not legally binding, the UDHR serves as the moral compass for the international community. We hope this lesson is a useful step in your students’ journeys to demand and protect human rights for all. 

Free & Equal: Human Rights Around the World 

Hope of Family