Today is the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and here at Takepart we’ve compiled a list of ten ways you can get involved with this historic occasion.  Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, the declaration asserts the rights and dignity that should be afforded to all people without distinction of any kind. While great progress has been made since the signing of the Declaration, we still have a long ways to go.

1. Read the Declaration and Sign It!

If you haven’t done so already, support equal rights for everyone by signing your name to the UDHR with Amnesty International and their Protect the Human campaign.

Then spread the word about the 60th Anniversary with Every Human Has Rights:

2. Join the online Rally for Human Rights

Spread the word by sending this simple message (or your own variation) via text, Twitter, email to your friends, family, co-workers, and loved ones:

Today is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ 60th anniversary.
I believe that Every Human Has Rights: www.everyhumanhasrights.org

3.  Blog about it!

Share your thoughts about Human Rights with the blogosphere, and let the Every Human has Rights campaign know about it so they can link back.  And add a cool badge or widget to you site.  Even if you usually write about gardening or the french horn, let your audience know that ensuring Human Rights involves everyone’s participation.

4.  Give the gift of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (with pictures!)

We Are Born Free is a beautiful book from Amnesty International and is a wonderful way to share the Declaration with young children (or anyone for that matter).  Order a few copies now for the holidays!

5. Take the day off and volunteer

Act locally and make a difference in someone’s life by volunteering with an organization in your community Find an opportunity near you with Volunteer Match.

6.  TakePart as an organization or group

Organize a discussion or event with people at your school, job, religious group, sports team, or any other community in which you are involved.  Utilize the strength of many voices to raise awareness and fight for human rights.  Here are some examples of group participation.

7.  Help get the UDHP printed in passports

Join Causecast, Human Rights Action Center, Jack Healey, Aung San Suu Kyi, and others in their campaign to get the Universal Declaration of Human Rights printed in passports.  Sign the petition here.

8.  Fire Up! by lighting a candle with Amnesty International

Join Amnesty International’s global demonstration by lighting a candle, sparkler, lantern or glow stick and document your participation.  Or join virtually.

9.  Get involved with Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch offers a number of ways to help protect the rights and safety of people around the world.  Some of their current campaigns include helping to stop violence against women, working to end suffering in Darfur,  and as Sarah mentioned recently, banning cluster munitions.

10.  Host a Film Screening

Invite your friends and neighbors over for a screening of a film that deals with the topic of human rights.  A few in-house suggestions: Standard Operating Procedure, The Visitor, or Darfur Now.

takepart with WITNESS and tell us WHAT IMAGE OPENED YOUR EYES