"Universal Human Rights Day"

On the anniversary of the universal human rights day (Thursday, 10th December, 1998) San Mauro Pascoli played its part, in a performance called "On the notes of man" (Sulle note dell'uomo"), in which a kermess of "African" musical groups participated. In 1995, UNESCO elaborated a declaration regarding the principles of tolerance, with the addition of an action plan, destined to be carried out along with the United Nations year in favour of toleration. Tolerance is the foundation of peace and a civilized society, which allows us to see within the diversities of the different cultures and it is not an obstacle of the respect of man's rights or, even worse, a justification of the violations that are committed, but on the contrary, a source of wealth to which we can draw everyone. In front of the substantial violations of man's rights, that continue to be made nearly all over the world, we could be tempted to give up, but there is something that gives us hope, the people of the world have more and more a sense of responsability between one another and regarding our planet. The emerging of a universal conscience is only one of the demonstrations that gives us hope that a real culture of man's rights is making progress, a culture in which the exercise and defence of fundamental rights will not be any longer given to a few people, diplomats, governors, soldiers, but to each of us. Only then the Universal Declaration will not be any more a common ideal to reach, but the foundation of all the societies. "I know that your intentions are good. But what you want to give me, I've already got. You want to give me the right to be a man. That is a right that I have already, since I was born. You can prevent me from living that right, if you are the stronger one, but you could never give me what already belongs to me." These words remind us an elementary truth, man's rights are born within and inherent in the person. On the principle of equality is built, in fact, the declaration of man's rights of 1948. This truth, so evident, is deeply rooted in the history of humanity: a truth that we also find in the great religious and philosophical traditions. Man's rights are not a prerogative of rich countries. A matter that developing countries cannot allow themselves. In every human being, there is a desire for happiness, peace and freedom. Man's rights are not privileges that governments can grant or take away when they please, but they are inseparable from the value that we give to human dignity. The governments' responsibility is to keep watch so that all the conditions are respected, so that everyone can enjoy the fundamental rights, the right to a life, to security, to an education, but also freedom of opinion, of expression, of association. It is up to each one of us to make them our own, to carry them through each day, an individual aim no less than collective. On the subject of man's rights, we all have a conscience and vigilant duty. Also at San Mauro we wanted to remember, by means of the "African" music, the work of each individual, of the local voluntary associations and of the public institutions, the work that daily they carry on to build a responsible society, paying attention to man's fundamental needs. L. Garbuglia