ATLANTA (Nov. 24, 2008) – Sixty years ago, the United Nations first recognized the universal values of non-discrimination, equality, fairness and universality that apply unconditionally to humans around the world by drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Drafted in response to the Holocaust, the UDHR was the first formal global expression of rights and has since become the international foundation for modern human rights movements.

 

On December 1-10, 2008 Atlanta’s cultural, religious and educational institutions will join forces for 60 Years of Progress…10 Days of Recognition, a series of free celebratory events organized by the Center for Civil and Human Rights to honor the 60th anniversary of the declaration. This 10-day series of events is intended to educate, inform and engage Atlanta’s diverse population in past and current civil and human rights issues and will be held in locations across the Metro Atlanta area, including The Carter Center, Emory University, Spelman College and more. Additionally, event organizers are excited to welcome the Mayor of Nuremberg and his delegation to Atlanta and look forward to their participation in the opening event.

 

Doug Shipman, executive director for the Center for Civil and Human Rights said, “The Center, in partnership with many of the city’s foremost cultural and educational institutions, hopes to remind Atlantans and our visitors of the importance of the UDHR through this 10-day celebration.” He added, “We invite all of our neighbors to participate in some way - by attending one of our many events, encouraging their church or synagogue to discuss the UDHR as part of services or simply learning more about the UDHR online.”

 

Included in the 10-day series of events are:

 

Opening Event: Setting the Stage: Reflections on Human Rights with introductory words by Mayor Shirley Franklin and Ulrich Maly, Mayor of Nuremberg, Germany; Atlanta’s sister city recognized by the United Nations as a “City of Peace and Human Rights”. Hosted by CNN anchor Kyra Phillips, the event will feature performances by several local youth performing arts organizations.

 

Film Festival: Getting Reel: An Exploration of Human Rights. Free prescreening of The People Speak, a historical documentary in which such actors as Viggo Mortensen, Danny Glover, Marisa Tomei and Kerry Washington portray activists who made history through championing the principles of democracy and the UDHR. The screening will be followed by Q & A and panel discussion with historian Howard Zinn, activist Anthony Arnove and producer Chris Moore moderated by Atlanta Film Festival Director Gabe Wardell.

 

Panel Discussion: Restoring Rights and Rules: A New Human Rights Agenda for the United States: Conversations at the Carter Center. Panelists include human rights defenders from around the world including Egyptian human rights defender Saad Ibrahim and former United States President Jimmy Carter.

 

Citywide Children’s Art and Writing Contest: READ IT. EMBRACE IT. EXPRESS IT. An exhibition of selected children’s works embodying the ideals set forth within the Declaration’s 30 articles. Young participants will also be honored at the Opening Event.

 

Evening of Spoken Word and Music: Infinitude: Music and Human Rights. A symphonic work performed by the Vega String Quartet with soloist Sewell Griffith and members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under the direction of composer Lee Johnson featuring the text of the UDHR and select readings from multiple religious and philosophical sources woven throughout the music. Narrators include: Charles Black, John Grant, Tom Key, Rabbi Josh Lesser, Provost Earl Lewis, Alice Lovelace and Julie Rhoad.

 

Religious Outreach: Various faith communities will discuss the UDHR during their sermons in the weeks leading up to the December 10th anniversary. CCHR and the Faith Alliance of Metro Atlanta (FAMA) will co-sponsor an Interfaith Service on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at noon at the Central Congregational Church.

 

Juried Art Exhibition and Silent Auction: Learn Promote Defend. Selections from local, national and international artists interpreting the UDHR through visual mediums will be showcased and auctioned.

 

Curriculum: In Collaboration with the organization Facing History and Ourselves, Select Metro Atlanta Elementary, Middle and High Schools will receive curricula and resource guides centered on the creation of the UDHR and its themes beginning in 2009.

 

At each event and throughout the city during the 10-day series, there will be opportunities for individuals to sign prominently displayed, enlarged copies of the Declaration. By participating in the signing, an individual will commit to live by the ideals set forth within the Declaration’s 30 articles, and each person will receive a small replica of the UDHR.

Please visit www.cchrpartnership.org for more information.