On December 10, 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the first ever global assertion that "all human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms." In her address to the United Nations General Assembly on the adoption if this historic document, Eleanor Roosevelt-one of the authors of the UDHR-remarked that "this Declaration is based upon the spiritual fact that [individuals] must have freedom in which to develop [their] full stature and through common effort to raise the level of human dignity."
Since 1950, Human Rights Day has been celebrated annually across the world on December 10th. This December, the United Nations will launch a year-long celebration of the 60th anniversary of the UDHR. In commemoration of this important milestone, ADL features three books this month that will help children to learn about the principles reflected in the UDHR, the primary author and architect of this document and how it relates to the rights of children globally.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: An Adaptation for Children Ruth Rocha (Author), Otavio Roth (illustrator)
This adaptation of the original Universal Declaration of Human Rights includes simplified text and serves as an excellent introduction to human rights for children. Each article of the declaration has been summarized in one or two lines and is accompanied by vivid linocut illustrations by Brazilian artist Otavio Roth.
In fourteen brief chapters with short blocks of text and many photographs, the author describes Roosevelt's privileged but sad childhood, her marriage, political and family life, and post-FDR humanitarian work. The importance of Roosevelt's contributions to the world are emphasized, including her work on civil rights, women's rights, and her role in creating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This concise history describes the evolution of the idea of children's rights and the major events in the struggle for children's rights from the 18th century to the present. The author uses a multitude of historic and contemporary photographs and anecdotes about the experiences of real children to illustrate topics including child labor, sweatshops, bonded labor and discrimination against children with disabilities. She also chronicles the civil and political activities that led to early child labor laws and eventually to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.