How Honoring Nelson Mandela’s Legacy Goes Beyond #MandelaDay

Over the course of history, human rights movement has seen the leadership of several extraordinary figures. On July 18, the world celebrates the achievement of the extraordinary Nelson Mandela. But the aims of the holiday reach further than just the actions of one man.

As the official Mandela Day website proclaims:

“It’s more than a celebration of Madiba’s life and legacy. It is a global movement to honour his life’s work and act to change the world for the better”

There’s no one way to celebrate the day, as long as one thinks about helping others...

For the full blog, go to CoreyEngelen.org.

United Nations - Year in Review 2015

A great overview of some of the triumphs and tragedies of this past year. Our global community has definitely shared more than its share in sorrow--from the attacks in Paris to attacks throughout Nairobi and the daily struggles of over 60 million refugees--but there has been much beauty as well. If we pull together, we can make this world a safer, kinder one.

Human Rights Day 2015

Dec. 10 marked the 65th anniversary of Human Rights Day. In 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted a the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, a declaration that enumerated a universal standard for the way that human beings should be treated. The declaration consists of a preamble and 30 articles. Additional Human Rights Covenants have been adopted in subsequent years. Although the Declaration itself is not a binding document, it has inspired more than 60 human rights instruments, which in sum have been a major part of forming an international standard on human rights

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Courtesy of History.com)

Human Rights Day was first established by the UN General Assembly in 1950. Each year, Human Rights day takes on a new focus. Focus in the past has been Human Rights 365 (the idea that Human Rights day should be every day) and My Voice Counts (which encouraged individuals to value and express their opinions) This years focus were the two Human Rights Covenants and Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Four Freedoms. The two covenants honored are the “International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights” and the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” both of which were adopted in 1966. Both of these covenants, in addition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, comprise the International Bill of Human Rights

Originally stated in Roosevelt’s 1941 Four Freedoms speech to US Congress, these freedoms helped guide the nation through the darkness of World War Two by envisioning a better future where every human being had access to the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, the freedom from want and the freedom from fear. Eleanor Roosevelt, his wife, was a major player in helping FDR include his vision into the UN human rights documents.

Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Courtesy of Huffington Post)

FDR’s four freedoms were later expanded upon by the U.N. Division on Human Rights around 1946. Canadian John Peters Humphrey was appointed as the first director of this division, which in turn formed a Commission on Human Rights. Designed to be representative of the international community, the Commission consisted of representatives from 18 countries from all continents (minus Antarctica). Eleanor Roosevelt chaired this organization, who at this time had outlived her husband.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon himself has stated that “today’s extraordinary challenges can be seen - and addressed - through the lens of the four freedoms.“

Secretary of State John Kerry has said that these freedoms, “are as relevant and compellilng today as they were when Roosevelt spoke almost three quarters of a century ago.”

In honor of Human Rights Day, the U.N. held a flower laying ceremony at Four Freedoms Park in Roosevelt Island New York.

Originally publish on CoreyEngelen.org

Changing the World, One Charity at a Time

There are thousands of fantastic charities that successfully make an impact everyday. Here are a few impressive organizations that effectively address local and global issues. Getting involved on a local scale creates a ripple effect of change. As a global diplomat, I have seen the influence of many of the these non-profits, and I encourage you to get involved in any way you can.

1. Doctors Without Borders
This world-renowned organization began in France in the 1970s and is often abbreviated as MSF for the French, Médecins Sans Frontières. In 2015 over 30,000, mostly local, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals, logistical experts, water and sanitation engineers and administrators provided medical aid in over 70 countries. Doctors Without Borders acts as a global institute independent from the countries its doctors work in, while managing an impressive track record of political responsibility. A team surveys the field in each country, with medical aid and urgent care as the main objective of most missions, sometimes assisting in water purification and nutrition.

2. World Vision
World Vision is dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Originally founded in 1950 as a Evangelical organization to relieve missionaries in emergency situations, the mission maintains a religious doctrine (it does, however, have a policy against proselytizing). World Vision hosts events such as a “Girls Night Out” marathon, nights dedicated to women in conflict or desperate situations and provide keynote speakers, light entertainment and of course, girl talk. There are also opportunities to fundraise in homage to World Vision.

3. International Women’s Development Agency
This organization represents women and girls by tackling issues of power, money and security. IWDA is committed to advocating for women the by working work towards ensuring their safety and sustainable solutions for their rights and well-being. IWDA works with partners in the Asia Pacific region but it encourages a global effort, especially through sponsorship of annual large events such as International Women’s Day and Half the Sky. These events impact women of communities everywhere and thus influence change on a global scale.

Originally published on CoreyEngelen.org