Declaration of Human Rights How

Declaration of Human Rights How the Declaration of Human Rights Relates to Saint Leo's Core Value of Community In basic terms, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) clearly defines the fundamental rights of human beings which should be offered protection universally. The document according to Smith "is widely accepted as the consensus of the global opinion fundamental rights" (35). Amongst other things, it seeks to reinforce international human rights standards.

Unfortunately, regardless of how important the principles of this important document are, not every institution or nation aligns its actions and/or policies to the said principles. However, it is important to note that in so many ways, the said principles relate to Saint Leo's core value of community. The University's core value of community is stated as: Saint Leo University develops hospitable Christian learning communities everywhere we serve.

We foster a spirit of belonging, unity, and interdependence based on mutual trust and respect to create socially responsible environments that challenge all of us to listen, to learn, to change, and to serve. (Saint Leo University) From the onset, it is important to note that unlike many Universities, Saint Leo (via its core value of community) appears to commit itself to not only the recognition but also the observance of the principles set out in the Declaration.

To begin with, in its very first Article, the Declaration points out that all individuals are equal in not only dignity but also rights. The article further points out that given that they are endowed with conscience and reason, human beings are expected to exhibit or demonstrate the spirit of brotherhood in their interactions with one another. Saint Leo's core value of community seeks to encourage a spirit of brotherhood by promoting mutual trust and respect.

It is through the said mutual trust and respect that the university attempts to foster a spirit of interdependence. No human being can be able to survive in isolation. Indeed, to that effect, there is a saying that goes: "no man is an island." We need each other to survive. This effectively demonstrates that the relevance of interdependence cannot be overstated. The very first Article of the Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the need for brotherhood and so does Saint Leo University's core value of community.

In seeking to develop sustainable Christian learning communities that are also hospitable, Saint Leo aligns itself with the Declaration's Article 17 which states that every person has the freedom or right "to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance" (UDHR). By creating strong Christian learning communities, the University effectively promotes the right of people to freely integrate religion into the various aspects of their lives including but not limited to worship and academic life.

It is also important to note that the Declaration's 19th chapter points out that an individual's right or freedom of opinion as well as expression includes but is not limited to the freedom to "receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers" (UDHR).

The University's core value of community on the other hand seeks to establish an environment that can be regarded socially responsible and that challenges all those who interact with it in one way or another to listen, learn as well as change and serve. In that regard, the university strives to ensure that it creates an environment conducive to the exchange of meaningful information. The Declaration's Article 26 clearly points out that "everyone has a right to education" (UDHR).

In this case, the Declaration recommends that the accessibility of higher education be enhanced. Further, in the second part of Article 26, the Declaration states in no uncertain terms that: Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups… (UDHR) Saint Leo's core value of community attempts to establish a spirit of interdependence, unity as well as belonging.

By ensuring that the relations between people are based on respect and mutual trust, the University succeeds in promoting tolerance. This in my opinion is in line with the Declaration's recommendation that education be designed to promote friendship and understanding among groups. It is also important to note, in passing, that Saint Leo embraces diversity. Admission selections for those to undertake their education at the institution are done on the basis of merit. In that regard, selection is not done on the basis of race, nationality or even class.

This can be gleaned from the fact that via its core value of community, the University underscores the need for mutual trust and respect. Via the same core value of community, the university also identifies the need for unity. In a way, unity can in this context be regarded a call to embrace diversity. The traditional national borders of yester years are quickly losing their relevance. In that regard, the world is today regarded a global village.

In seeking to foster a spirit of unity through the promotion of diversity, Saint Leo prepares its graduates to be responsible international.