Planting the Seeds of Human Rights in South Africa
South Africa’s struggle for equality has inspired the world, led by human rights champions Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Mandela, whose fight against apartheid cost him many years of freedom, once said, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.” Tutu, known as “the voice of the voiceless,” demanded “the full menu of rights” for every citizen.
Today, United for Human Rights (UHR) South Africa continues that legacy, equipping the next generation to be able to defend their rights.
UHR volunteers brought this mission to Waterkloof Primary School in Pretoria. As the seminar began and three of the Youth for Human Rights public service announcements (PSAs) played, students were captivated. The message filled the school hall: “Can you tell which of these children was not born free? Can you tell which of these children was not born equal? Can you tell which of these children does not deserve to be treated with dignity? We can’t either. Human Right #1, ‘We Are All Born Free and Equal.’” Students then each received a copy of the What Are Human Rights? booklet, some flipping it open right away, curious to know what it contained.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
After the seminar, students toured the United for Human Rights Mobile Exhibit outside the hall, exploring the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The impact was clear. Teachers observed the students discussing human rights with high interest, and the principal requested for UHR to return and deliver more seminars.
As Mandela reminded the world, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” Through education, United for Human Rights is speaking to the hearts of South Africa’s youth—planting seeds of respect, tolerance and a lifelong commitment to human rights.
FACTS
25 YEARS IN REVIEW
United for Human Rights, along with Youth for Human Rights International, has grown into a worldwide movement:
80,000
EDUCATORS & TEACHERS
empowered with the Human Rights educational materials
6,000,000
STEPS COMPLETED
on the United and
Youth for Human Rights online courses
12,000,000
HUMAN RIGHTS BOOKLETS
distributed internationally
197
NATIONS
and territories reached with United for Human Rights
756,000,000
PEOPLE REACHED
with United for Human Rights
SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS
Join the international human rights movement by becoming a member of United for Human Rights and donate today. UHR assists individuals, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in all parts of the world to raise awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
