“The power of the Universal Declaration is the power of ideas to change the world. It inspires us to continue working to ensure all people can gain freedom, equality and dignity."
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. Drafted by representatives with different legal and cultural backgrounds from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. For the first time, it set out fundamental human rights to be universally protected and has been translated into over 500 languages. The UDHR is widely recognized as having inspired and paved the way for adopting more than seventy human rights treaties at global and regional levels.
Of the 58 members of the United Nations at the time of the assembly, 48 voted in favor, none against, eight abstained, and two did not vote. Currently, there are now 193 member states of the United Nations.
The Nanovic Institute for European Studies, along with Kellogg Institute for International Studies, Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies, Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, and Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies in the Keough School of Global Affairs, will host scholars and experts from countries NOT represented at the 1948 assembly to discuss the impact of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights since its inception and the hopes for future.
Originally published at nanovic.nd.edu.