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Conference 2013
Regional Meetings
| Eleanor Roosevelt & the Declaration of Human Rights |
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"To leave the world richer-that is the ultimate success." --Eleanor Roosevelt The year 2008 marked the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The anniversary celebration was officially launched on Human Rights Day, December 10, 2007 by the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights and ended on December 10, 2008. FAWCO is taking a leading role in a special task force to recognize Eleanor Roosevelt as the driving force behind the creation and adoption of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights in 1948. The NGO Task Force spearheaded an information and publicity campaign and a website. FAWCO has taken the initiative in creating, sponsoring and hosting a special Eleanor Roosevelt website for the international and NGO community. The website is hosted at http://www.erooseveltudhr.org/. We urge everyone to join in this international effort to promote worldwide recognition of Eleanor Roosevelt's leadership role and awareness for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Ceremony Honoring Eleanor Roosevelt in Geneva Dec. 5th, 2008
Place des Nations, Geneva
Inauguration of the commemorative plaque in honor of Eleanor Roosevelt, the principle authors of the Universal Declaration and the Member States of the first Commission on Human Rights Speeches by: Swiss Federal Councilor Micheline Calmy- Rey, Minister of Foreign Affairs Manuel Tornare, Mayor City of Geneva Anne Herdt, President of Task Force Eleanor Roosevelt Project David Roosevelt, grandson of Eleanor Roosevelt
Background Information On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which set the standards for all of the human rights treaties and conventions which are used today around the world. Eleanor Roosevelt, then US representative at the United Nations served as chair of the Human Rights Committee and it was her leadership that was the major factor ensuring the passage of the Declaration. Historians agree that without her, the convention would probably never have passed. Eleanor Roosevelt's leadership brought the 18 other members of the Commission together to cooperate effectively despite political differences, cultural barriers and personal rivalries. The commission in 187 meetings, with 1400 proposals, worked to refine the draft of 30 articles with precise wording.
The goal of the international task force is to inform and educate people world wide of the rights that belong to them, while highlighting the unique and indispensable role played by Eleanor Roosevelt in the formation and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In addition a fitting memorial to Eleanor Roosevelt will be dedicated near the United Nations in Geneva, which is the international center for human rights organizations and treaty bodies.
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Mrs. L.C. Beechcroft, President of AWC London,
and a member. Cocktail Party for Mrs. Roosevelt, London, March 1948.
ER ACTIVITIES For suggested activities to celebrate Eleanor Roosevelt and th UDHR click on to Suggested ER Activites For information about other ER celebrations, click on to ER Celebrations |
Eleanor Roosevelt Brochure