Originally published on the CGS blog on December 13, 2011.
By Tiffany Irene- GlobalSolutions.org- Field Organizer of TN
Last week, Nashville residents commemorated International Human Rights Day, celebrating the anniversary of the United Nation’s ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by honoring community members who dedicate their lives to humanitarian causes and reflecting on engagement activities of local human rights groups in the past year.
Fifteen of Nashville’s international advocacy organizations, including the My Global Voice program spearheaded by GlobalSolutions.org, provided educational materials to the over 150 attendees at the Downtown Nashville’s Library Auditorium, which included prominent community members and elected officials from all over Tennessee.
The celebration of Human Rights Day was built around an awards ceremony, which acknowledged the work of long-time human rights advocates in Nashville. Some of those recognized included Dr. Sheila Peters, a Fisk University professor who has spent decades in human rights advocacy and Mr. Jerry Lee, one of the original planners of Human Rights Day in Tennessee and a former AFL-CIO president. The event also honored “Rising Advocates,” recognizing influential young adults in the community for their efforts in raising awareness of humanitarian issues. Attendees were also treated to a lively performance from the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
But by far the most exciting part of the event was when Nashville Mayor Karl Dean declared a proclamation, making December 7 Human Rights Day in Nashville and Davidson County. GlobalSolutions.org was included prominently in the list of organizations displayed in the proclamation.
Human Rights Day is recognized worldwide as a day of unity, peace, and awareness of the importance of equality for all. But it’s important to remember that supporting human rights isn’t just an abstract concept, but in fact begins in your own backyard. Nashville’s celebration of Human Rights Day illustrated that there are members in my community that fight for peace and justice every day, and assures me that we aren’t alone in the struggle for unity.
For more information on Nashville’s Human Rights Day or information regarding next year’s Human Rights Day celebration, visit; http://nashvillehumanrights.org or email: tirene@myglobalvoice.org.
