HUMAN RIGHTS DAY - From faith to Action: Upholding Human Rights, Sustaining God's Creation

In 2025, the very foundations of human rights have been put to the test.

“Inequalities are rising, conflicts are raging, the climate emergency is mounting, and some are creating and trying to deepen divisions within societies and between countries. But we must not give up,” said Türk in his video message marking the 80th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.

“We need more solidarity and more human rights to address the current challenges. It is crucial to keep advocating for our fundamental rights,” he said.

Our Everyday Essentials, this year’s UN Human Rights Day campaign, seeks to reaffirm the enduring relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and its core values — equality, justice, freedom, and dignity — reminding us that human rights remain a steadfast promise for society.

The campaign highlights two interconnected aspects of human rights: the extraordinary nature of their founding as one of the world’s most groundbreaking global pledges, and their everyday, essential presence woven into our lives.

The abstract becomes real when we realize that everyday actions — spending time with family, reading the news, walking freely, drinking clean water, or enjoying a meal — are made possible by human rights in practice.

These essentials are enshrined in the UDHR: the right to an adequate standard of living (Article 25), which guarantees food, basic needs, and a healthy environment; the right to freedom of opinion and expression (Article 19), which ensures access to information; the right to education (Article 26), which enables understanding and informed decisions; and the right to rest and leisure (Article 24), which allows time for well-being and connection with others. Yet, these simple acts are not possible everywhere.

By bridging the gap between the principles of human rights and daily experiences, Our Everyday Essentials campaign seeks to raise awareness, inspire confidence, and encourage collective action.

Beyond inviting reflection, the campaign provides a space for people to share what they consider essential in their daily lives, transforming the concept of connection into a concrete reality.

Source: UN HUMAN RIGHTS