The direction to keep some sense of human spirit in our life (in the future) is to maintain our true past, our true origins, our culture... Our culture is shaped by ourselves and by those around us. Extinction of a neighbor's culture will lead to a colder change within our lives and (an extreme outcome), possible extinction of the human soul in the future. This is one of the ways you protect everyone's culture, an article from the UN taking initiatives to protect Native People around the world.
September 13, 2007
U.N. Declares Rights for Native Peoples
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Filed at 9:43 p.m. ET
UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The U.N. General Assembly adopted a declaration Thursday affirming the rights of native peoples worldwide over objections from the United States and Canada, ending two decades of deliberations.
The declaration, which is not legally binding, affirms the equality of the world's 370 million indigenous peoples and their right to maintain their own institutions, cultures and spiritual traditions. It also establishes standards to combat discrimination and marginalization, and eliminate human rights violations against them.
The United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand were the only countries that voted against the declaration, although 11 nations abstained. The opponents said they wanted to work toward a solution, but that key parts of the declaration would give indigenous peoples too many rights and clash with existing national laws.
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, chairwoman of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, said the declaration was ''a major victory'' for the United Nations in establishing human rights standards. But she said the real test will be whether countries implement it.
''(The declaration) sets the minimum international standards for the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples,'' she said. ''Therefore, existing and future laws, policies and programs of indigenous peoples will have to be redesigned and shaped to be consistent with this standard.''
The document calls on countries to prevent or redress the forced migration of indigenous peoples, the seizure of their land and their forced integration into other cultures. It also grants indigenous groups control over their religious and cultural sites and the right to manage their own educational systems, including teaching in their own languages.
Several of the opposing countries said the declaration set a poor precedent, calling it confusing and unclear.
''We're not standing against the issue,'' said Benjamin Chang, a spokesman for the U.S. Mission to the U.N. ''We want one that is universal in its scope and can be implemented. What was done today is not clear. The way it stands now is subject to multiple interpretations and doesn't establish a clear universal principal.''
Australia's U.N. Ambassador Robert Hill said references to self-determination in the declaration could disrupt the territorial and political integrity of a country.
''The declaration's provisions on lands and resources could be read to require recognition of indigenous rights to lands without regard to other legal rights existing in land, both indigenous and non-indigenous,'' he said.
New Zealand's U.N. Ambassador Rosemary Banks cited several provisions that are incompatible with her country's laws -- the right of indigenous peoples to own and use their traditional lands, the right to financial compensation, and the implication in the text that indigenous peoples have a right of veto over a democratic legislature and national resource management.
The U.S. and Australia said sponsors excluded them from negotiations that resulted in an amended text.
The declaration was approved by the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva in June 2006 and sent to the 192-member General Assembly for adoption. The assembly put off final approval last December but pledged to vote before its current session ends next week.
The Working Group on Indigenous Peoples was formed in 1982 and began work on the declaration three years later, completing it in 1993. The predecessor the Human Rights Council, the Commission on Human Rights, then set up a working group and has been reviewing the agreement annually since.
------
On the Net:
U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Goals for The New Millenium
These were some of the posted goals for the New Millenium. I think that if you are a person that is interested in helping (humanity) in any way, one of these various targets in improving this world might give you an idea. This is cited from The United Nations Chronicle, an online magazine that informs on world issues. A goal that I think should be included is the outlawing of wars. If you have any ideas, feel free to add them to the list.
Millennium Summit Road Map
Goals and TargetsPoverty and Hunger · Education · Gender Equality · Child Mortality
Maternal Health · Disease · Environment · Development
Goal 1:
Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Target 1:
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day.
Target 2:
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. Goal
Goal 2:
Achieve universal primary education
Target 3:
Ensure that by 2015 children everywhere - boys and girls alike - will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling.
Goal 3:
Promote gender equality
and empower women
Target 4:
Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and at all levels of education no later than 2015.
Goal 4:
Reduce child mortality
Target 5:
Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate.
Goal 5:
Improve maternal health
Target 6:
Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio. Goal
Goal 6:
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria
and other diseases
Target 7:
Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Target 8:
Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.
Goal 7:
Ensure environmental sustainability
Target 9:
Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes, and reverse the loss of environmental resources.
Target 10:
Halve by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking-water.
Target 11:
To have achieved by 2020 a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers. Goal 8:
Develop a global partnership
for development
Target 12:
Develop an open, rule-based, non-discriminatory trading and financial system.
Target 13:
Address the special needs of the least developed countries.
Target 14:
Address the special needs of landlocked and small island developing States.
Target 15:
Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries.
Target 16:
Develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for youth in developing countries.
Target 17:
Provide access, in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, to affordable essential drugs in developing countries.
Target 18:
Make available, in cooperation with the private sector, the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications.
Goal 8:
Outlaw all wars (my addition)
Millennium Summit Road Map
Goals and TargetsPoverty and Hunger · Education · Gender Equality · Child Mortality
Maternal Health · Disease · Environment · Development
Goal 1:
Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Target 1:
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than one dollar a day.
Target 2:
Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger. Goal
Goal 2:
Achieve universal primary education
Target 3:
Ensure that by 2015 children everywhere - boys and girls alike - will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling.
Goal 3:
Promote gender equality
and empower women
Target 4:
Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and at all levels of education no later than 2015.
Goal 4:
Reduce child mortality
Target 5:
Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate.
Goal 5:
Improve maternal health
Target 6:
Reduce by three quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio. Goal
Goal 6:
Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria
and other diseases
Target 7:
Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Target 8:
Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases.
Goal 7:
Ensure environmental sustainability
Target 9:
Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes, and reverse the loss of environmental resources.
Target 10:
Halve by 2015 the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking-water.
Target 11:
To have achieved by 2020 a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers. Goal 8:
Develop a global partnership
for development
Target 12:
Develop an open, rule-based, non-discriminatory trading and financial system.
Target 13:
Address the special needs of the least developed countries.
Target 14:
Address the special needs of landlocked and small island developing States.
Target 15:
Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries.
Target 16:
Develop and implement strategies for decent and productive work for youth in developing countries.
Target 17:
Provide access, in cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, to affordable essential drugs in developing countries.
Target 18:
Make available, in cooperation with the private sector, the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications.
Goal 8:
Outlaw all wars (my addition)
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Who is Accountable?
Around the world there are many injustices. Who is held accountable for their actions in international relations? As an example, I believe that there should be a mediator or even an international system (which there is) that could hold accountable someone for the hundreds of civilians that have been killed in Iraq. The attack on Iraq was done on what legal grounds? There are no established legal grounds. Nonetheless, this war was done before the eyes of every person in the world. Imagine all the injustices that happen every day that we know nothing of?
American Military Casualties in Iraq
Date Total In Combat
American Deaths total in combat
Since war began (3/19/03): 3422 - 2812
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03) (the list) 3283 - 2704
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03): 2961 - 2506
Since Handover (6/29/04): 2563 - 2179
Since Election (1/31/05): 1985 - 1916
American Wounded Official Estimated
Total Wounded: 25378 23000 - 100000
Latest Fatality May 19, 2007
Civilian Casualties in Iraq:
 |  |
 | |
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Observation: Universal Declaration of Human Rights
While searching for information pertinent to International law, I came across "The Universal Declaration of Human Rights." After WWII, the allies joined together to form the UN, and on top of that drafted the foundation in international policy. This piece has influences from many important documents that were instrumental for the foundation of modern democracies, including the Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, et al. In fact this document has been called the Magna Carta of international law, by Eleanor Roosevelt.
I think that as a foundation, this is the one of the best resources that address Human Rights and the specific legislation that should be promoted world-wide. However, something interesting was that as UN members, countries were expected to implement and follow the guidelines within their territory. Some of them would not ratify this document. Their arguments were based on the fact that this was "Westernized" policy, and that some of the ideals presented did not match local customs, traditions, economical systems and law. As a result, two further versions that addressed these concerns of the Declaration were created.
I find it interesting that as a person, one would assume that Human Rights should be universal, and they should be applied in all its rigor as is... However, I find it interesting that this world has the right to be diverse and have its unique systems. As a person investigating this matter, it would be of importance to understand the perspectives of other countries that do not agree with such legislation and why. I think that Western/Eastern philosophy, if geared towards the good of the people and humanity, should be weighed equally in a universal legislation. It should not be a battle of imposition.
As a concerned citizen, be aware that the grounds for international law and the human rights has been addressed. Further research will surely enlighten the flaws of this document and the specification of other protective rights.
~Marco
I think that as a foundation, this is the one of the best resources that address Human Rights and the specific legislation that should be promoted world-wide. However, something interesting was that as UN members, countries were expected to implement and follow the guidelines within their territory. Some of them would not ratify this document. Their arguments were based on the fact that this was "Westernized" policy, and that some of the ideals presented did not match local customs, traditions, economical systems and law. As a result, two further versions that addressed these concerns of the Declaration were created.
I find it interesting that as a person, one would assume that Human Rights should be universal, and they should be applied in all its rigor as is... However, I find it interesting that this world has the right to be diverse and have its unique systems. As a person investigating this matter, it would be of importance to understand the perspectives of other countries that do not agree with such legislation and why. I think that Western/Eastern philosophy, if geared towards the good of the people and humanity, should be weighed equally in a universal legislation. It should not be a battle of imposition.
As a concerned citizen, be aware that the grounds for international law and the human rights has been addressed. Further research will surely enlighten the flaws of this document and the specification of other protective rights.
~Marco
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, therefore,
The General Assembly
Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against all types of discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to any form of discrimination.
Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
SOURCE
On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Following this historic act the Assembly called upon all Member countries to publicize the text of the Declaration and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."
PREAMBLE
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, therefore,
The General Assembly
Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.
Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and the security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against all types of discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to any form of discrimination.
Article 8
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Article 9
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Article 10
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Article 11
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Article 12
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Article 13
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each State.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Article 14
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 15
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Article 16
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Article 17
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Article 18
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Article 20
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Article 21
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Article 22
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Article 23
(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Article 24
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Article 25
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Article 26
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Article 27
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Article 28
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Article 29
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Article 30
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
SOURCE
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Counter-Balance
This page addresses the concerns of the views, observations, within this site in relation to a international perspective.
Precautions on International Perspective:
A person should not be ethnocentric when addressing, viewing, critizing issues of international relevance.
A person should be aware that our independent thoughts are only a piece of the bigger whole.
I Claim That:
Majority of the ideas posted here are opinions.
The best resource is a book, the views posted here are from one individual perspective.
There may be incorrect information posted within this blog, to which the author assumes responsability and encourages corrections from a reader(s).
The majority of my early research is obtained from WIKIPEDIA.COM, and my knowledge is limited to that obtained.
Precautions on International Perspective:
A person should not be ethnocentric when addressing, viewing, critizing issues of international relevance.
A person should be aware that our independent thoughts are only a piece of the bigger whole.
I Claim That:
Majority of the ideas posted here are opinions.
The best resource is a book, the views posted here are from one individual perspective.
There may be incorrect information posted within this blog, to which the author assumes responsability and encourages corrections from a reader(s).
The majority of my early research is obtained from WIKIPEDIA.COM, and my knowledge is limited to that obtained.
United for a Cause
This page consists on links from webpages of interest, organizations, and webpages of people interested in the fight of uniting and improving our world.
Resource Links:
United Nations
Human Rigths Watch
International Criminal Court
Organization Links:
Resource Links:
Wikipedia (Online Encyclopedia)
Council of Foreign Relations (News Composite)United Nations
Human Rigths Watch
International Criminal Court
Organization Links:
Movement Links:
Links of Interest:
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Blog Under Re-organization
I apologize if it causes confusion, but I will be re-organizing this blog. You may see repeated posts. Some of the Links are not functional, and the links will be updated constantly to produce sharp and clear ideas.
The Idea
An idea is larger than the universe.
I felt that it was necessary to clarify and summarize some of the ideas (in developement) so as not to confuse whomever reads this blog.
Since high school, I've been interested in the idea of unity. Everywhere we go, we encounter some sort of issue that relates to unity. Whether it be some local disagreement to a greater problem that is more complex and harder to deal with. My interest and my 'hobby' will be to try to find a way to bring greater unity within people. I sometimes think that its ridiculous to imagine such a thing. But I'm pretty sure that to many of you may agree that reaching Mars can be as ridiculous as any idea out there, or do you? If an idea exists, then everything is possible.
I am not trying to pretend to be something I am not. I do not want to get something out of anything except to think and to grow, to expand the way I think, and to hopefully do something that will help people out. I do not know the answers, I do not know the questions. I think. I think dumb things and not so dumb things. If you prove something wrong, then you have done a greater good than you have ever imagined.
My name is Marco. I will always be glad to hear from your thoughts, your ideas. However, my goal is to bring unity, and I will take into account the ideas that will push what I believe in into that direction.
There is always a reason of why things don't go in a harmonious way. Problems of a global scale are harder to solve as long as there exists doubt, interests, distrust, and unfair competition.
Famine, disease, inequality, human rights, environment, destruction of culture and all of those invisible problems of which I am not aware of, are some of the issues that will never be solved unless we all are in the same page.
Accountability is one of the biggest reasons of why things are or may not be solved. Who is accountable for the responsability of 100's people dying? Who is accountable for the spread of disease on a global scale? Who is responsible for human rights violations? Who is the owner of all the world? Who or what is responsible for hate among countries? Who is responsible to make things better? If there is no established system, then the individual organizations that fight for justice by themselves is unfair.
Accountability by international standards is politically existant. However, the reason why we continue to have the 'problems' on a global scale is because I believe that there is no true accountability.
I believe that the world is truly what we make it to be. We are a product of this earth, along with all nature. Earth is ours, and we belong to Earth. This world is not ABOUT countries and boundaries. This world is not about territories and money. We were born into all of that. All of that exists to maintain order and structure, but we can choose to teach a different mentality.
The way we relate to everything else that happens in the world from our standing point of view is Nationalism.
Everything that is done in the modern era is for a "nation." This type of mentality is extremely outdated. The most wealthiest nation and its leaders sponsors that type of mentality. We should be proud of our culture and our roots, but nations are imaginary boundaries created to separate people (and improve organization, for that matter).
In today's standards a nation grows powerful to serve the people and nature. Why should there be a limit on the aid of people within one nation? How could we continue to get wealthier and richer while hearing what is going on in other places? Obviously, someone somewhere in the other place of the earth is getting damaged and getting poorer.
What I am aiming for is an Idea.
Nations should continue to serve the people and nature. However, im my opinion, our vision on who we should have allegiance to should be greater than that of a nation.
The majority of the leaders of the world are located here, within these borders, (I believe). However, they are limited to help only one nation (ironically, we all came from other nations in a previous generation).
There should always be respect for an organizational/governmental system that guarantees my ability to live freely.
However, I have more alligeance in the unity & future of all people.
I felt that it was necessary to clarify and summarize some of the ideas (in developement) so as not to confuse whomever reads this blog.
Since high school, I've been interested in the idea of unity. Everywhere we go, we encounter some sort of issue that relates to unity. Whether it be some local disagreement to a greater problem that is more complex and harder to deal with. My interest and my 'hobby' will be to try to find a way to bring greater unity within people. I sometimes think that its ridiculous to imagine such a thing. But I'm pretty sure that to many of you may agree that reaching Mars can be as ridiculous as any idea out there, or do you? If an idea exists, then everything is possible.
I am not trying to pretend to be something I am not. I do not want to get something out of anything except to think and to grow, to expand the way I think, and to hopefully do something that will help people out. I do not know the answers, I do not know the questions. I think. I think dumb things and not so dumb things. If you prove something wrong, then you have done a greater good than you have ever imagined.
My name is Marco. I will always be glad to hear from your thoughts, your ideas. However, my goal is to bring unity, and I will take into account the ideas that will push what I believe in into that direction.
There is always a reason of why things don't go in a harmonious way. Problems of a global scale are harder to solve as long as there exists doubt, interests, distrust, and unfair competition.
Famine, disease, inequality, human rights, environment, destruction of culture and all of those invisible problems of which I am not aware of, are some of the issues that will never be solved unless we all are in the same page.
Accountability is one of the biggest reasons of why things are or may not be solved. Who is accountable for the responsability of 100's people dying? Who is accountable for the spread of disease on a global scale? Who is responsible for human rights violations? Who is the owner of all the world? Who or what is responsible for hate among countries? Who is responsible to make things better? If there is no established system, then the individual organizations that fight for justice by themselves is unfair.
Accountability by international standards is politically existant. However, the reason why we continue to have the 'problems' on a global scale is because I believe that there is no true accountability.
I believe that the world is truly what we make it to be. We are a product of this earth, along with all nature. Earth is ours, and we belong to Earth. This world is not ABOUT countries and boundaries. This world is not about territories and money. We were born into all of that. All of that exists to maintain order and structure, but we can choose to teach a different mentality.
The way we relate to everything else that happens in the world from our standing point of view is Nationalism.
Everything that is done in the modern era is for a "nation." This type of mentality is extremely outdated. The most wealthiest nation and its leaders sponsors that type of mentality. We should be proud of our culture and our roots, but nations are imaginary boundaries created to separate people (and improve organization, for that matter).
In today's standards a nation grows powerful to serve the people and nature. Why should there be a limit on the aid of people within one nation? How could we continue to get wealthier and richer while hearing what is going on in other places? Obviously, someone somewhere in the other place of the earth is getting damaged and getting poorer.
What I am aiming for is an Idea.
Nations should continue to serve the people and nature. However, im my opinion, our vision on who we should have allegiance to should be greater than that of a nation.
The majority of the leaders of the world are located here, within these borders, (I believe). However, they are limited to help only one nation (ironically, we all came from other nations in a previous generation).
There should always be respect for an organizational/governmental system that guarantees my ability to live freely.
However, I have more alligeance in the unity & future of all people.
Objectives/Goals
The overall purpose of United Countries of the World is to prove wrong the possibility of a united world. A possible scenario that could address many of the common issues that affect humanity, is a "global" system of governmental organization.
In order to accomplish this, UCotW will:
Objectives/Goals:
Continually update a blog (the purpose) that addresses:
-Issues that countries struggle to accomplish on a global context, for the improvement of humanity.
-Summarize "global manifestos" that have sprouted among various organizations (and cite them).
-Visualize what the purpose should be for a global system of government.
Critize work found through research that encompasses Globalization, and those pieces (of work) that already exist... which address the possibility of a planetary form of organization. Also, it will explore and teach of organizations, events that exist for a global-humanity improvement at all levels.
Globalization will be explored under the following categories:
-Political
-Economical
-Social
Links will be updated for those that share a vision embracing/preaching unity among the people.
Cautions & balance of ideas will be established.
Organize a team of thinkers that can pave a way for unity.
UCotW will attempt to prove global unity through law, as a wrong path for humanity.
In order to accomplish this, UCotW will:
Objectives/Goals:
Continually update a blog (the purpose) that addresses:
-Issues that countries struggle to accomplish on a global context, for the improvement of humanity.
-Summarize "global manifestos" that have sprouted among various organizations (and cite them).
-Visualize what the purpose should be for a global system of government.
Critize work found through research that encompasses Globalization, and those pieces (of work) that already exist... which address the possibility of a planetary form of organization. Also, it will explore and teach of organizations, events that exist for a global-humanity improvement at all levels.
Globalization will be explored under the following categories:
-Political
-Economical
-Social
Links will be updated for those that share a vision embracing/preaching unity among the people.
Cautions & balance of ideas will be established.
Organize a team of thinkers that can pave a way for unity.
UCotW will attempt to prove global unity through law, as a wrong path for humanity.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Fact, Fiction & Globalization
Hello, welcome back to UCotW. I will try to update this blog at least once a week.
Today, I wanted to write about the dangers of good, fact & fiction, and continue to define my evolving purpose as I dig into my belief on Unity.
You should always question.
Now Ignorance, Insensibility, & Intolerance. I believe that these are dangerous tools that people possess as they try to do good. Yes, people in power that try to "do good" have the power to do greater and bigger damage if they carry the adjectives mentioned above: Ignorance, Insensibility & Intolerance (to mention a few).
For example, take this blog into consideration. This blog, even though its intentions are good, can do a lot of damage if it continues to evolve unchecked, unmodified in its ideals, and deaf from the slightest critics. I could wave a flag with a symbol of peace & unity, and that still does not mean that "what is declared or stated here" is right. Waving a flag "of good" does not give anyone the power to step on what other people believe and attempt to destroy it.
In fact, it is possible that leaders in power believe that they are right and everyone else is wrong under an emblem of peace & unity. They believe that a simple speech, some symbolical donations or contributions to the poor, and the fact that they are in power give them a divine right to speak for everyone else.
Now, I wanted to give myself as an example. I write. I believe in unity. I am ignorant, I may be unsensible to certain topics that I may not know profoundly or understand, and even I may be intolerant to some accusations that are done against me. I believe that everyone with a mind possesses these traits that are derived from human nature. However, I am aware that I possess these traits, same as anyone else. I am ignorant. When I write, I am responsible for causing an effect in another person and it can be a totally irresponsible consequence without the proper balance/cautions.
Passion, opinion, beliefs... that is in reality what a person communicates when they are the head of a group, a speaker. FACTS are the best way to demonstrate a result, an effect, a wish, an idea, a desire.
I am ignorant, but I will continue to educate myself in order to prove or disprove my ideals. I am a person with faults and only by proving me wrong, you will do a greater good.
Examples of statemets that carry fact & fiction through my writtings & my beliefs:
Fiction: I believe that the world will be better through a world wide form of government
Fact: I will try to prove whether Unity will better serve the people in a world-wide context.
Fiction: I believe that the rich are taking over the world.
Fact: I will try to prove whether the global trade benefits a few while endangering the majority.
Fiction: What I write today is what I believe in the future.
Fact: What I write today will evolve as knowledge of what I am searching for progresses.
My first stage of research will be primarily composed of webpages, organization webpages, and encyclopedic online webpages. I will be citing strongly WIKIPEDIA.COM.
Today, I would like to modify my Purpose and my Objectives:
First, I want to continue in developing a Blog (The Purpose) that addresses the issues that encompasses my beliefs in greater unity among people. I have begun to see a tendency for many other writers, where they have created a "Global Manifesto" of their own. I would like to cite and gather all those ideas and summarize it into my own.
Second, I would like to critize whatever work I find through my research that revolves around Globalization, and those that already exist... that address the possibility of a planetary form of organization. I would like to define globalization for those of us that do not know what it is and what encompasses.
Third, I would like to create a page that links those that share a vision that encompasses unity among the people.
Fourth, I would like to develop a blog that cautions "what I say" (meaning, I will try to balance what I say and caution my beliefs).
Fifth, I will attempt strongly to address and become informed of the three main branches that encompass globalization:
-Political
-Economical
-Social
Sixth, I will attempt to interest you, the reader, to participate and share your mind... and therefore create a team that works collaboratively to address these objectives and steps.
Seventh, I will try to update and reorganize constantly this blog.
Eight, I will try to prove what I believe in, as wrong.
Through these, I hope to get one step closer into uncovering whether or not, this world will be further improved by reshaping nationalism into that of a global lawful cause.
Today, I wanted to write about the dangers of good, fact & fiction, and continue to define my evolving purpose as I dig into my belief on Unity.
You should always question.
Now Ignorance, Insensibility, & Intolerance. I believe that these are dangerous tools that people possess as they try to do good. Yes, people in power that try to "do good" have the power to do greater and bigger damage if they carry the adjectives mentioned above: Ignorance, Insensibility & Intolerance (to mention a few).
For example, take this blog into consideration. This blog, even though its intentions are good, can do a lot of damage if it continues to evolve unchecked, unmodified in its ideals, and deaf from the slightest critics. I could wave a flag with a symbol of peace & unity, and that still does not mean that "what is declared or stated here" is right. Waving a flag "of good" does not give anyone the power to step on what other people believe and attempt to destroy it.
In fact, it is possible that leaders in power believe that they are right and everyone else is wrong under an emblem of peace & unity. They believe that a simple speech, some symbolical donations or contributions to the poor, and the fact that they are in power give them a divine right to speak for everyone else.
Now, I wanted to give myself as an example. I write. I believe in unity. I am ignorant, I may be unsensible to certain topics that I may not know profoundly or understand, and even I may be intolerant to some accusations that are done against me. I believe that everyone with a mind possesses these traits that are derived from human nature. However, I am aware that I possess these traits, same as anyone else. I am ignorant. When I write, I am responsible for causing an effect in another person and it can be a totally irresponsible consequence without the proper balance/cautions.
Passion, opinion, beliefs... that is in reality what a person communicates when they are the head of a group, a speaker. FACTS are the best way to demonstrate a result, an effect, a wish, an idea, a desire.
I am ignorant, but I will continue to educate myself in order to prove or disprove my ideals. I am a person with faults and only by proving me wrong, you will do a greater good.
Examples of statemets that carry fact & fiction through my writtings & my beliefs:
Fiction: I believe that the world will be better through a world wide form of government
Fact: I will try to prove whether Unity will better serve the people in a world-wide context.
Fiction: I believe that the rich are taking over the world.
Fact: I will try to prove whether the global trade benefits a few while endangering the majority.
Fiction: What I write today is what I believe in the future.
Fact: What I write today will evolve as knowledge of what I am searching for progresses.
My first stage of research will be primarily composed of webpages, organization webpages, and encyclopedic online webpages. I will be citing strongly WIKIPEDIA.COM.
Today, I would like to modify my Purpose and my Objectives:
First, I want to continue in developing a Blog (The Purpose) that addresses the issues that encompasses my beliefs in greater unity among people. I have begun to see a tendency for many other writers, where they have created a "Global Manifesto" of their own. I would like to cite and gather all those ideas and summarize it into my own.
Second, I would like to critize whatever work I find through my research that revolves around Globalization, and those that already exist... that address the possibility of a planetary form of organization. I would like to define globalization for those of us that do not know what it is and what encompasses.
Third, I would like to create a page that links those that share a vision that encompasses unity among the people.
Fourth, I would like to develop a blog that cautions "what I say" (meaning, I will try to balance what I say and caution my beliefs).
Fifth, I will attempt strongly to address and become informed of the three main branches that encompass globalization:
-Political
-Economical
-Social
Sixth, I will attempt to interest you, the reader, to participate and share your mind... and therefore create a team that works collaboratively to address these objectives and steps.
Seventh, I will try to update and reorganize constantly this blog.
Eight, I will try to prove what I believe in, as wrong.
Through these, I hope to get one step closer into uncovering whether or not, this world will be further improved by reshaping nationalism into that of a global lawful cause.
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