Urge United Nations Approval of the "Declaration of Human Responsibilities"

In 2008 the United Nations will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the "Declaration of Human Rights". What few people are aware of is September 1, 2007 will also be the 10th anniversary of the signing of the "Declaration of Human Responsibilities" by the Interaction Council, a group of dozens of former heads of states from around the world; including Helmutt Schmidt of Germany, and Jimmy Carter of the USA. The Interaction Council voluntarily convenes every year to propose strategic initiatives to help bring peace and prosperity to all the world's people.

The United Nations has not yet brought the "Declaration of Human Responsibilities" up for vote, largely due to objections from major western governments including the United States. In essence what it calls for is that in addition to guaranteeing human rights, it should also be the responsibility of every nation in the world, especially those with the greatest resources to, among other things, take an equal responsibility in ensuring that poverty, inequality of opportunity, and human misery is minimized.

The introductory comments of the Declaration says it best:

" It is time to talk about human responsibilities...

Globalization of the world economy is matched by global problems, and global problems demand global solutions on the basis of ideas, values and norms respected by all cultures and societies. Recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of all the people requires a foundation of freedom, justice and peace - but this also demands that rights and responsibilities be given equal importance to establish an ethical base so that all men and women can live peacefully together and fulfil their potential. A better social order both nationally and internationally cannot be achieved by laws, prescriptions and conventions alone, but needs a global ethic. Human aspirations for progress can only be realised by agreed values and standards applying to all people and institutions at all times.

This year (1998) will be the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations. The anniversary would be an opportune time to adopt a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities, which would complement the Human Rights Declaration and strengthen it and help lead to a better world.

The following draft of human responsibilities seeks to bring freedom and responsibility into balance and to promote a move from the freedom of indifference to the freedom of involvement. If one person or government seeks to maximise freedom but does it at the expense of others, a larger number of people will suffer. If human beings maximise their freedom by plundering the natural resources of the earth, then future generations will suffer.

The initiative to draft a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities is not only a way of balancing freedom with responsibility, but also a means of reconciling ideologies, beliefs and political views that were deemed antagonistic in the past. The proposed declaration points out that the exclusive insistence on rights can lead to endless dispute and conflict, that religious groups in pressing for their own freedom have a duty to respect the freedom of others. The basic premise should be to aim at the greatest amount of freedom possible, but also to develop the fullest sense of responsibility that will allow that freedom itself to grow.

The InterAction Council has been working to draft a set of human ethical standards since 1987. But its work builds on the wisdom of religious leaders and sages down the ages who have warned that freedom without acceptance of responsibility can destroy the freedom itself, whereas when rights and responsibilities are balanced, then freedom is enhanced and a better world can be created."  09-01-1997

More details on the contents and papers supporting this document can be found at http://www.interactioncouncil.org/



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