11
Lesson 2:
Introduction to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Glossary
Charter: A document that outlines the fundamental principles of an organisation.
Children’s rights: children’s rights are special rights that belong to all children under the age of 18. Children have
the same human rights as everyone else but they also have extra rights that place a responsibility on adults to
make sure that children receive the special care and protection they need to grow up healthy and happy. These
rights are written down in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Citizen: A person who is a member of a political community, such as a state or a nation, that grants certain rights
and privileges to its citizens and in return expects them to full certain duties, such as to obeying the law.
Community: A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic and a shared sense of
identity in common.
Dignity: A value owed to all humans, to be treated with respect.
Discrimination: When a person is treated less favourably than another person in a similar situation because of a
particular personal characteristic such as their; age, sex, race, nationality, or beliefs.
Equality: The quality of being equal. Equality is an important value in human rights and is the central idea behind
all human beings having universal human rights.
Fairness: The quality of treating people in a way that is right or reasonable.
Freedom: The power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants. Or, the state of being free rather than in
connement or under physical restraint.
Global citizen: A person who understands that they have rights and responsibilities at a global level, beyond
geographical or political borders, because they are part of the global human community. These rights and
responsibilities do not have the same legal authority or sanctions that those conferred by a nation have.
Government: A group of people with the authority to govern a country or state.
Human rights: Rights that come from being human. They ensure people can live freely and that they are able to
ourish, reach their potential, and participate in society. They ensure that people are treated fairly and with dignity
and respect. You have human rights simply because you are human and they cannot be taken away.
Justice: The moral principle ensuring fairness in the way people are treated.
Law: A system of rules that a particular country or community recognises as regulating the actions of its
members, and which it may enforce by an imposition of penalties and sanctions.
Respect: Taking into account the views and desires of others in how you treat people.
Right: A right is a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something.
Rights and responsibilities: Entitlements and obligations that are associated with living in any country with a
democratic justice system. Rights and responsibilities are a cornerstone of modern democracies. While all people
in Australia enjoy certain rights (for example, freedom of speech), there are also responsibilities (for example,
paying taxes, jury service). Citizens also have the right to vote and the responsibility of voting at elections.
United Nations: An international organisation that was founded in 1945 by the governments of the world with the
aim of promoting global peace and security, and human rights.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The key United Nations document establishing the standards of
basic human rights for everyone. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations
General Assembly on December 10, 1948.
Values: Values are principles, ideals, standards, or world views which act as general guidelines for behaviour.
They can also be points of reference in making decisions when evaluating beliefs or actions. Values are closely
connected to personal integrity and personal identity.