08 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
/08 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
*Ryosei is a caring boy who took a class at school on “What are human rights?”
/*Ryosei is a caring boy who took a class at school on “What are human rights?”
In the lesson, the teacher talked about the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
/In the lesson, the teacher talked about the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
“This declaration was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and contains important promises to protect human rights.”
/“This declaration was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and contains important promises to protect human rights.”
“For example, it says ‘All people are equal and have the right to live freely.’”
/“For example, it says ‘All people are equal and have the right to live freely.’”
*Ryosei thought, “We can go to school and play freely, but there are places in the world where human rights are not protected.”
/*Ryosei thought, “We can go to school and play freely, but there are places in the world where human rights are not protected.”
On his way home that day, he saw a poster in town that said “Protect the environment,” and he thought more deeply.
/On his way home that day, he saw a poster in town that said “Protect the environment,” and he thought more deeply.
“To protect human rights, we also need to improve the environment.”
/“To protect human rights, we also need to improve the environment.”
When he got home, his father was drinking tea and reading the newspaper.
/When he got home, his father was drinking tea and reading the newspaper.
*Ryosei asked, “Dad, what do you think human rights are?”
/*Ryosei asked, “Dad, what do you think human rights are?”
His father thought for a moment and said,
/His father thought for a moment and said,
“Human rights mean that everyone is respected.”
/“Human rights mean that everyone is respected.”
“But to protect them, not only the environment but also politics and the economy are important.”
/“But to protect them, not only the environment but also politics and the economy are important.”
“For example, children who can’t receive education may be affected by problems in their country’s politics or economy.”
/“For example, children who can’t receive education may be affected by problems in their country’s politics or economy.”
*Ryosei had another question.
/*Ryosei had another question.
“Then, what can we do to protect human rights?”
/“Then, what can we do to protect human rights?”
His father smiled and answered,
/His father smiled and answered,
“The most important thing is for people’s hearts to grow.”
/“The most important thing is for people’s hearts to grow.”
“Instead of thinking only about your own benefit, having compassion for others is the foundation of everything.”
/“Instead of thinking only about your own benefit, having compassion for others is the foundation of everything.”
Later, at school, there was a discussion on the theme “What can we do to protect human rights?”
/Later, at school, there was a discussion on the theme “What can we do to protect human rights?”
*Ryosei suggested ideas like “joining activities to improve the environment,” “listening to and helping people in need,” and “learning about elections.”
/*Ryosei suggested ideas like “joining activities to improve the environment,” “listening to and helping people in need,” and “learning about elections.”
Then, the class started a “Protect Human Rights Project” and decided to do local cleanup and recycling campaigns.
/Then, the class started a “Protect Human Rights Project” and decided to do local cleanup and recycling campaigns.
One day, while cleaning the park with his project teammates, an elderly man passing by said,
/One day, while cleaning the park with his project teammates, an elderly man passing by said,
“Thanks to you all for improving the environment—everyone can enjoy this place comfortably.”
/“Thanks to you all for improving the environment—everyone can enjoy this place comfortably.”
Hearing those words, *Ryosei felt,
/Hearing those words, *Ryosei felt,
“Our actions are helping protect human rights, even just a little.”
/“Our actions are helping protect human rights, even just a little.”
*Ryosei wrote in his diary,
/*Ryosei wrote in his diary,
“To protect human rights, it’s important to improve the environment, care about politics and the economy, and most of all, have compassion.”
/“To protect human rights, it’s important to improve the environment, care about politics and the economy, and most of all, have compassion.”
“I’ll keep acting without forgetting that.”
/“I’ll keep acting without forgetting that.”
Review Questions
/Review Questions
What is one of the things written in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
/What is one of the things written in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
a. All people are equal and have the right to live freely
/a. All people are equal and have the right to live freely
b. Only food is important
/b. Only food is important
c. Playing with friends is a duty
/c. Playing with friends is a duty
Let’s Think!
/Let’s Think!
How do you think *Ryosei felt when he realized that “protecting human rights requires the growth of the heart”?
/How do you think *Ryosei felt when he realized that “protecting human rights requires the growth of the heart”?
Also, what can you do to protect human rights around you?
/Also, what can you do to protect human rights around you?
Think specifically about how improving the environment, caring about politics and the economy, and having compassion can help protect human rights.
/Think specifically about how improving the environment, caring about politics and the economy, and having compassion can help protect human rights.
