News:

Paris, France - Human Rights Village

The first Human Rights Village was held in the City Plaza of Paris!

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights, the annual DPI/NGO conference was held in France.

On the 30th of August, a Human Rights Village was constructed in front of the City Plaza of Paris. This day was the hottest day that French people had known in a long time but it didn’t discourage them from coming to visit the village.

Ten tents were set up allowing different NGO’s to introduce themselves to the French public. A wall of expression gave the opportunity for all to express, through art, what human rights means to them. The wall of expression will travel, in Paris, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and after, it will be transported to the UN in New York.

Messages of Peace, Love and Hope have been drawn on the wall in the “City of Light”. NGO delegates introduced themselves and talked about the history of the Declaration of Human Rights, Women and Children Rights, the role of media and art in Human Rights and the new trend of volunteer vacations.

At present, French people, and Europeans in general, are not really aware of the new wave of traveling for volunteer vacations. But, they appear very interested in becoming more involved to help people and make a difference through traveling.

During the day, some artists (violinists and guitarists) came

to play and teenagers read Slam (it is a kind of poesy).

This day has been such an incredible opportunity to be in touch with citizens and to challenge them to be more involved in human rights issues.  We are inspired to continue these discussions with all of the NGO delegates at UNESCO headquaters.

Reported by:  Alexandra Bonvalot, Airline Ambassadors' Communication Coordinator