Every day is Human Rights Day But this 10th December, the World Goes Barefoot Against Poverty
Richard Branson, Peter Gabriel and Jeff Skoll join campaign to raise awareness for human rights by tackling poverty
"With three billion people living on less than $2.50 a day, it's clear that they haven't got the same rights that should apply to everyone. By becoming more aware of our universal rights, we can tackle some of our greatest challenges," says Sir Richard Branson.
British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson is supporting Barefoot Against Poverty - the Every Human Has Rights campaign to mark International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2010. International Human Rights Day celebrates the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which includes the proclamation that everyone should live a life free from want.
Joined by fellow leading philanthropists Peter Gabriel and Jeff Skoll, Sir Richard is calling on people across the globe to stand in solidarity on International Human Rights Day and commit to ending poverty.
"I'm delighted to support the Barefoot Against Poverty campaign. It's extraordinary and shameful that we allow millions of children to go without food in their bellies or shoes on their feet," says Peter Gabriel, the world renowned musician.
"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed 62 years ago clearly states that no person should live in want. Unless we as citizens unite and say human rights must be taken seriously by everyone, this reality will not happen," adds former President of EBay and founder of the Skoll Foundation, Jeff Skoll.
Billions of people are still living in poverty, their right to a healthy living free from want being denied. Taking inspiration from Nelson Mandela, Every Human Has Rights believes that the world would be a better place if everyone walked a mile in another's shoes. By raising awareness and creating empathy we might begin to build an understanding and begin to make the fight for human rights part of our everyday lives.
In a joint call, these three leading entrepreneurs are calling on people around the world to join the Every Human Has Rights campaign by taking a simple barefoot step - the first in recognising and acting to uphold our Universal Human Rights.
Sir Richard Branson, Peter Gabriel and Jeff Skoll join the Barefoot Against Poverty campaign
"With three billion people living on less than $2.50 a day, it's clear that they haven't got the same rights that should apply to everyone. By becoming more aware of our universal rights, we can tackle some of our greatest challenges." - Sir Richard Branson
"I'm delighted to support the Barefoot Against Poverty campaign. It's extraordinary and shameful that we allow millions of children to go without food in their bellies or shoes on their feet." - Peter Gabriel, musician
"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed 62 years ago clearly states that no person should live in want. Unless we as citizens unite and say human rights must be taken seriously by everyone this reality will not happen."
- Jeff Skoll former President of Ebay and founder of the Skoll Foundation
Sir Richard Branson and Peter Gabriel
Notes to the editor:
"With three billion people living on less than $2.50 a day, it's clear that they haven't got the same rights that should apply to everyone. By becoming more aware of our universal rights, we can tackle some of our greatest challenges," says Sir Richard Branson.
British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson is supporting Barefoot Against Poverty - the Every Human Has Rights campaign to mark International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2010. International Human Rights Day celebrates the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which includes the proclamation that everyone should live a life free from want.
Joined by fellow leading philanthropists Peter Gabriel and Jeff Skoll, Sir Richard is calling on people across the globe to stand in solidarity on International Human Rights Day and commit to ending poverty.
"I'm delighted to support the Barefoot Against Poverty campaign. It's extraordinary and shameful that we allow millions of children to go without food in their bellies or shoes on their feet," says Peter Gabriel, the world renowned musician.
"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed 62 years ago clearly states that no person should live in want. Unless we as citizens unite and say human rights must be taken seriously by everyone, this reality will not happen," adds former President of EBay and founder of the Skoll Foundation, Jeff Skoll.
Billions of people are still living in poverty, their right to a healthy living free from want being denied. Taking inspiration from Nelson Mandela, Every Human Has Rights believes that the world would be a better place if everyone walked a mile in another's shoes. By raising awareness and creating empathy we might begin to build an understanding and begin to make the fight for human rights part of our everyday lives.
In a joint call, these three leading entrepreneurs are calling on people around the world to join the Every Human Has Rights campaign by taking a simple barefoot step - the first in recognising and acting to uphold our Universal Human Rights.
Sir Richard Branson, Peter Gabriel and Jeff Skoll join the Barefoot Against Poverty campaign
"With three billion people living on less than $2.50 a day, it's clear that they haven't got the same rights that should apply to everyone. By becoming more aware of our universal rights, we can tackle some of our greatest challenges." - Sir Richard Branson
"I'm delighted to support the Barefoot Against Poverty campaign. It's extraordinary and shameful that we allow millions of children to go without food in their bellies or shoes on their feet." - Peter Gabriel, musician
"The Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed 62 years ago clearly states that no person should live in want. Unless we as citizens unite and say human rights must be taken seriously by everyone this reality will not happen."
- Jeff Skoll former President of Ebay and founder of the Skoll Foundation
Sir Richard Branson and Peter Gabriel
Notes to the editor:
- Join the Barefoot Against Poverty campaign by registering on www.barefootagainstpoverty.org. Take a picture or video of yourself taking a Barefoot action and join the global movement for every human’s rights
- Facebook page: www.facebook.com/everyhumanhasrights
- Barefoot Against Poverty is part of the Every Human Has Rights (www.everyhumanhasrights.org) campaign, which was inspired and launched by The Elders.
- Richard Branson, Peter Gabriel and Jeff Skoll are supporters of The Elders a group of eminent global leaders founded by Nelson Mandela, www.theElders.org
- Every Human Has Rights is hosted by CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation www.civicus.org
- Albie Sachs, one of Nelson Mandela’s first Constitutional Court Judges, talks about Universal Human Rights and going Barefoot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHg0zRn-TGA
- Fashion writer Emily survives on one pair of shoes for the month: www.barefootagainstpoverty.org/shoeamonth
- Videos: Kumi Naidoo, Executive Director of Greenpeace, pledges to go Barefoot on human rights day http://www.barefootagainstpoverty.org/index.php/barefoot-against-poverty...
- Media Officer, Rowena McNaughton: +27 11 833 5959 / +27768695293 rowena.mcnaughton@civicus.org
- Campaign Coordinator, Rashmi Mistry: +27 11 833 5959 ext 139 / +27726430632 rashmi.mistry@civicus.org
Date published:
03/12/2010
Organisation:
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation
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