Rights and Humanity

Rights and Humanity was founded by Professor Julia Häusermann MBE in 1986. Established as an international not-for-profit association under Swiss law, Rights and Humanity is multi-faith and multi-cultural by philosophy, composition and action. Its premise is that international human rights law and the principles of humanity - the values shared across faiths and cultures - together provide a legal framework and moral compass for global action for progress. Its unique approach is holistic, cooperative, solutions-oriented and champions progress rather than blame. It puts people and planet at the centre of policy and action, prompting an ethic of cooperation for the common good. The Association’s effective positive approach has attracted the global patronage of people of great eminence. In 2003, our Patrons and other global leaders signed ‘The Rights and Humanity Principles of Responsibility’ – the first multi-faith, multi-cultural consensus on individual responsibilities.

Rights and Humanity’s distinguishing role is that it focuses on:

• promoting economic and social justice through the practical realisation of human rights as a foundation for peace (rather than monitoring violations of human rights)

• building solutions-oriented consensus through a unique approach which emphasises the highest common vision rather than the lowest common denominator

• developing education in human rights and responsibilities, peace and sustainability in public policy, corporate, professional and daily life.

Professor Julia Häusermann, Founder and President of Rights and Humanity

Rights and Humanity have a YouTube channel with several short videos outlining their achievements.[1]

Achievements

During the last 30 years, Rights and Humanity has played a significant role in shaping global policy and practice through the integration of a “human rights approach”.[2] It has chosen to focus on various priority issues of the day, including HIV/AIDS, poverty, health, water [3] and sanitation,[4] participatory democracy, cultural rights,[5] complex emergencies and the global financial crisis. For each issue Rights and Humanity:

• undertakes holistic, multi-disciplinary research on all aspects

• brings together public, private and civil society stakeholders to analyse the challenges through the lens of human rights and responsibilities, identify necessary reforms and adopt common strategies

• encourages implementation of the agreed strategies through policy advice to UN agencies, governments and NGOs; demonstration pilot projects; education; and professional training.

The “human rights approach to development” pioneered by Rights and Humanity has been adopted by UN agencies, governments and NGOs around the world.[6] The Association has demonstrated how discrimination and social exclusion are among the root causes of poverty and preventable ill-health. Evaluations have established that this approach is saving and bettering millions of lives around the world.

Rights and Humanity has successfully used its peace-building approach to resolve deadlock between governments on a number of sensitive issues such as those between:

• Western/Northern states and Eastern/Southern states before the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, 1993, to forge global consensus on the universality of human rights

• Islamic and Western states at the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 1995, to ensure that adolescent girls receive health information and services

• Israeli and Arab delegates before the World Conference on Racism, Durban, 2001, to achieve joint recognition of both the atrocities of the Holocaust and the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Some recent examples of Rights and Humanity’s thought leadership have included:

• at the request of the then UK Prime Minister, adopting recommendations for a Just and Sustainable World Economy at a Global Leaders Congress in preparation for the G20 London Summit (2009)[7]

• achieving consensus on a Call for Action at a 2nd Global Leaders Congress entitled “Global Solutions to Global Challenges: Think, Unite, Act” (2011)

Patrons and officers

International Patrons include: His Holiness The Dalai Lama, His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu,[8] His Royal Highness Prince Hassan bin Talal, Dadi Janki Convenor of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University, Sir Sigmund Sternberg

Women's Human Rights and Empowerment Network Patron: Mrs Cherie Blair [9]

President: Professor Julia Häusermann MBE

References

  1. ↑ Rights and Humanity on YouTube
  2. ↑ A Human Rights Approach to Development by J. Häusermann (published 1998)
  3. ↑ Right to Water, in partnership with WaterAid and others Nepal Journals Online
  4. ↑ World Health Organization
  5. ↑ Circle Network
  6. ↑ The Overseas Development Institute International Council on Social Welfare
  7. ↑ His Grace Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu's video message to the Global Leaders Congress
  8. ↑ Endorsement from His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu Desmond Tutu
  9. ↑ Endorsement from Cherie Blair www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOTbcEcx0No&feature=player_embedded#!


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