Friday, February 03, 2006
A Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities
The discussion here around the line between freedom and responsibility (sparked by the Mohammed cartoons) was interesting...This links to work done in the 1990s on a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities. It was endorsed by some important leaders, such as Jimmy Carter and Pierre Trudeau.
I learned about it years ago, when former PM Trudeau visited Nelson (our small town in the mountains). A friend of mine really wanted to meet him, but Pierre was staying out of sight (he was visiting his son Michel, who was a local ski bum then - died in an avalanche that same winter... but that's another story).
Anyhow, my friend left a note at Trudeau's hotel saying he'd really like to discuss the Declaration of Human Responsibilities with him. He got a phone call from Trudeau himself and an invite for what became a 2 hour coffee meeting.
Have a look - comments always welcome
Link
Comments:
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Thank Goodness!
It's just talking about humans.
I was scared that they might ask our beloved corporations to start going around and caring about people.
'Cause that's just Crazy Talk.
It's just talking about humans.
I was scared that they might ask our beloved corporations to start going around and caring about people.
'Cause that's just Crazy Talk.
# posted by 
: 9:55 am
: 9:55 am
makes a difference in a persons life to know that a phone call was reciprocated,
neat...
neat...
# posted by : 1:12 pm
: 1:12 pm
I bookmarked that. These are things I want my children to know about. Great stuff.
I like the idea that with individual rights come social responsibilities and obligations. The more rights we have, the more responsibilities.
These are things we should be teaching our children.
I like the idea that with individual rights come social responsibilities and obligations. The more rights we have, the more responsibilities.
These are things we should be teaching our children.
Gary: I think Article 9 would sadly be laughed at here in this current state of America:
"All people, given the necessary tools, have a responsibility to make serious efforts to overcome poverty, malnutrition, ignorance, and inequality. They should promote sustainable development all over the world in order to assure dignity, freedom, security and justice for all people."
Neo-Convict America = every man for himself... unless you are wealthy, then you need as many handouts from the govt as possible.
I guess the only thing that really bothers me about the entire "Cartoon- Gate" is I wish that people from the Middle East/ people from the West... hell, all of mankind... could be this motivated and enraged over the destruction of a entire nation and deaths of their fellow man in Iraq and demand a stop to that. Sad, no?
"All people, given the necessary tools, have a responsibility to make serious efforts to overcome poverty, malnutrition, ignorance, and inequality. They should promote sustainable development all over the world in order to assure dignity, freedom, security and justice for all people."
Neo-Convict America = every man for himself... unless you are wealthy, then you need as many handouts from the govt as possible.
I guess the only thing that really bothers me about the entire "Cartoon- Gate" is I wish that people from the Middle East/ people from the West... hell, all of mankind... could be this motivated and enraged over the destruction of a entire nation and deaths of their fellow man in Iraq and demand a stop to that. Sad, no?
Thanks for commenting on my blog, I appreciate it!
I'm sorry, but politics, especially American politics, make my head spin!
I'm sorry, but politics, especially American politics, make my head spin!
Thanks Gary, it's very interesting - I shall read it again as I usually miss some of the detail, but on the whole it's good to know some of our leaders actually believe this is the way forward.
(Though I read recently that sustainable changes are mostly made from the bottom up. :o/)
There's hope. Respect.
(Though I read recently that sustainable changes are mostly made from the bottom up. :o/)
There's hope. Respect.
From Tina: "I wish that people from the Middle East/ people from the West... hell, all of mankind... could be this motivated and enraged over the destruction of a entire nation and deaths of their fellow man in Iraq and demand a stop to that. Sad, no?"
Sad, yes, and insightful on your part! Excellent point.
Sad, yes, and insightful on your part! Excellent point.
Thanks for posting this, Gary. As usual, you always know the right thing to post for us.
Tina has a great point. Until we get thinking people in public office, we'll never achieve that dream. There should be an IQ test.
Gotta love Jimmy Carter. I remember not liking him much when he was president, but now he's someone I admire a great deal. He's a remarkable person.
By the way, Gary, I decided to follow your example and go educate my troll.
Tina has a great point. Until we get thinking people in public office, we'll never achieve that dream. There should be an IQ test.
Gotta love Jimmy Carter. I remember not liking him much when he was president, but now he's someone I admire a great deal. He's a remarkable person.
By the way, Gary, I decided to follow your example and go educate my troll.
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