International Human Rights Day – December 10
Human Rights Day is celebrated every year on December 10 — the day on which the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.
World Human Rights Day inspires everyone to speak up and take action to end discrimination in all forms, whenever and wherever it happens. This, in a nutshell, is what World Human Rights Day is all about.
World Human Rights Day 2022, and every other World Human Rights Day, is a day to celebrate the achievements of those who have fought for and protected human rights. It is also a day to reflect on the future and work out what needs to be done to make society fairer for everyone.
Learning about human rights helps to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes that empower us to stand up for our rights as well as those of others.
Here are suggestions for simple activities to get involved:
- Visit the United Nations Human Rights Day website.
- Watch a film from the Human Rights Playlist curated by the National Film Board of Canada.
- Learn more about the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
- Discover the history of human rights in Canada through the Canada History Week digital magazines (2017 and 2019 editions).
- Explore the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ Story Collection.
- Learn about significant human rights milestones from the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
- Download the illustrated version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and share it with family.
- Take a voyage through the time portals of the Human Rights in Canada: A Historical Perspective website to learn about the evolution of human rights in 20th century Canada.
- Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (PDF version, 299 KB) and choose one that you will act on.
- Share any of the links provided above with your social networks.
