The Rural Ethicist: December 10th is Human Rights Day

By Katharine Adams

December 2025

In the snap of a finger, I awoke from a dream … a dream where shifting sands and fractured landscapes corroded the line between construction and collapse. Initially, it was disturbing, but then the clouds cleared. Songbirds were shaking off snow to fly on a little further, while moths found a place to flutter in the sunlight. Little frogs gave into torpor, letting the chill river roll by for yet another season. The creatures knew there would be plenty of work to resume again, in due time.

I glanced down an open road to see people walking side by side in thoughtful conversation. They were engaged in the service of listening and reserving judgment. And it is in this way that they arrived at a crossing, moving along unremarkably, as it was natural to anticipate peace on Earth and goodwill toward all.

A voice of reason nudged me awake to remind my frankly pigheaded, idealist fantasies that a little darkness must yet exist, if for no other reason than to go down in flames so that new growth may spring up.

December can be considered a symbolic month of love, similar to February, with social gatherings reconnecting people in twinkly settings, amid (maybe) too much chocolate (is there ever too much chocolate?).

Among the many historic December anniversaries—including religious holidays and cultural observances, the Wright Brothers’ first flight that stuck, the attack on Pearl Harbor, the birthdays of Eiffel and Beethoven—it’s a fitting moment to highlight the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations on December 10, 1948 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris. This date is now annually celebrated as Human Rights Day.

The Declaration outlines thirty articles of fundamental rights and freedoms for all people. It was drafted to consider the civil, economic and cultural rights of social security, education and freedom of speech. Setting a global standard, it was adopted after the profound consequences of the unchecked tyranny and nationalism of World War II. It serves as a beacon for human dignity and justice. Available in over 500 languages, it holds first place as the most translated document in history.

A notable and diverse team of diplomats, chaired by former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, developed the inclusionary document. Contributors included principal drafter and Nobel Peace Prize winner, René Cassin of France; Peng Chun Chang of China, who encouraged cultural variety; Charles Malik of Lebanon, who helped to develop philosophical clarity; and Canadian attorney John Humphrey, preparer of the initial draft.

The team wanted the Declaration to represent every political viewpoint from capitalist to socialist, as well as to embrace all cultures, from the secular to various religions.

To back up a bit, the United Nations was established a few years prior, in 1945. At that time, its Charter called for “universal respect for, and observance of, human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.”

But the Charter wasn’t specific in detailing those rights. That’s where the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) stepped in to define what it all means, as described by the new Commission on Human Rights of 1946.

Wherever societies suffer repression or conflict, the UDHR serves to inspire leadership to apply its principles toward concrete policy. Although not legally binding, it serves as a global standard for international human rights laws.

Two legally binding covenants—The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights—are merged with the UDHR. Together, they form a trio known as the International Bill of Human Rights.

Recent ethical considerations were not foreseen when the document was constructed, such as the application of artificial intelligence or human impact on the climate. So, how relevant is the UDHR today? As a foundational document, its ability to evolve is built in by design. Legislators can pass resolutions to be upheld by national law.

Social evolution is rooted in listening, grows through faith and blossoms while working together. Service to others is a timeless garden we may tend, sustaining meaning year-round.