Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world and implies obligations or responsibilities,
Proposed by the InterAction Council Preamble UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RESPONSIBILITIES
The InterAction Council commends the following draft Declaration for your examination and support. But its work builds on the wisdom of religious leaders and sages down the ages who have warned that freedom without acceptance of responsibility can destroy the freedom itself, whereas when rights and responsibilities are balanced, then freedom is enhanced and a better world can be created. The InterAction Council has been working to draft a set of human ethical standards since 1987. The basic premise should be to aim at the greatest amount of freedom possible, but also to develop the fullest sense of responsibility that will allow that freedom itself to grow. The proposed declaration points out that the exclusive insistence on rights can lead to endless dispute and conflict, that religious groups in pressing for their own freedom have a duty to respect the freedom of others.
The initiative to draft a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities is not only a way of balancing freedom with responsibility, but also a means of reconciling ideologies, beliefs and political views that were deemed antagonistic in the past. If human beings maximise their freedom by plundering the natural resources of the earth, then future generations will suffer. If one person or government seeks to maximise freedom but does it at the expense of others, a larger number of people will suffer. The following draft of human responsibilities seeks to bring freedom and responsibility into balance and to promote a move from the freedom of indifference to the freedom of involvement. The anniversary would be an opportune time to adopt a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities, which would complement the Human Rights Declaration and strengthen it and help lead to a better world. Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations. Human aspirations for progress can only be realised by agreed values and standards applying to all people and institutions at all times. A better social order both nationally and internationally cannot be achieved by laws, prescriptions and conventions alone, but needs a global ethic. Recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of all the people requires a foundation of freedom, justice and peace - but this also demands that rights and responsibilities be given equal importance to establish an ethical base so that all men and women can live peacefully together and fulfil their potential. Globalization of the world economy is matched by global problems, and global problems demand global solutions on the basis of ideas, values and norms respected by all cultures and societies. INTRODUCTORY COMMENT It is time to talk about human responsibilities Proposed by the InterAction Council, 1 September 1997
0 kommentar(er)
