Human rights in past and present

Human rights derive their universal claim to validity from the dignity of humankind. They define the fundamental freedoms to which all individuals - on the grounds of their dignity - are entitled for themselves and in community with other (source: German Institute for Human Rights).

”All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”: so runs the first sentence of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted at the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. This declaration was in large part a response to the experiences undergone during the Second World War, Nazi forced labour and the Holocaust. For the first time in human history, guarantees concerning personal security, the right to freedom and action, and economic, social and cultural rights were laid down in 30 articles. Human rights are indivisible and inalienable rights which should belong to every person in the world. They are applicable regardless of differences such as race, skin colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth or other status, and also to people whose nationality is different to the country in which they reside.

In transnational project work, the young people explore human rights issues in the past and the present. Points of historical reference are the history of National Socialism and the Holocaust, as well as post-war history. The projects also serve as a guide to ways in which each individual can commit actively to human rights. In remembrance of the victims of the National Socialist regime and aware of responsibility arising from Germany's history, the Foundation EVZ concentrates its promotion and funding on project measures that take up a historical reference and link it with present-day human rights issues.

The projects should investigate actual cases of human rights abuse and highlight the people and organizations that have resisted them. They should question why the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is still relevant today and why human rights are still not recognized everywhere. Why do they need to be defended by institutions and civil society? Why are poverty, environmental pollution, violence, conflict and war connected to human rights abuses? How can human rights be supported effectively?

The projects should contribute to making people less susceptible to ideologies of inequality such as anti-Semitism and racism by illustrating the appeal of ideas of freedom and equality. Aim is to encourage the call for concrete human rights and the measuring of politics and economies against the yardstick of how well these demands are met. The projects increase the individual awareness in the necessity of protecting and defending human rights.

Here are some project examples to present the topic „Human Rights in past and present”

The application form can be found here.