It’s Human Rights Day
Photo by @mariopurisic
December 10th is Human Rights Day. It is observed annually around the world as the day that, in 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Simply stated, this declaration observes that humans have equal and unalienable rights to a dignified life. Thirty articles spell out the sum total of these rights that rest on the premise that all people are born with reason and conscience and can and should act accordingly.
In addition to rights for freedom from persecution for personal, religious,or political beliefs; race, ethnicity, or gender, there are also rights to access public services, receive equal pay for equal work, a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of the individual and their family. This includes food, clothing, housing, medical care and necessary social services. It also includes the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond a person's control.
The 2019 Ecocity World Summit conference theme is "socially just and ecologically sustainable cities." It brings attention to many of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly with regard to: access to safe and affordable housing, clean air, clean and healthy water, healthy soils, access to nutritious food, well being and quality of life, lifelong education, and equitable economy. These are a few of the International Ecocity Standards that will be explored at the conference.
Many people in cities around the world are building the bridge to a better future, and BCIT faculty and students are part of the story.
The call for abstract submissions is open. Come share your story with us at the Ecocity World Summit, October 7-11, 2019, at the Vancouver Convention Centre (west).