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In his message for World Philosophy Day, Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, emphasized that the 2008 edition " is dedicated to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights"
M. Koïchiro Matsuura qualifies the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as being "of eminent philosophical importance" and adds that it " implicitly evokes the universality of human beings and their rights. It also provides an opportunity to revisit today some of the key concepts that underpin our modernity: human dignity, freedom and universality " (hyperlink to the message, in a new window)
As shown in its International Founding Charter and General meeting's
resolutions, "human dignity, freedom and
universality" are principles and objectives that rule the
International Organization New Acropolis since its foundation in
1957.
New Acropolis: International Founding Charter
The first principle links human dignity to the universal spirit present in each human being:
1- To
unite men and women of all creeds, races and social conditions
around an ideal of universal fraternity.
The second principle states that true, clear and effective awareness of humankind's universality beyond all differences results from a training whose method is comparative study.
2- To
awaken a global vision in men and women through the comparative
study of Sciences, Religions, Arts and Philosophies.
The third principle highlights that liberty is gradually acquired through a personal and lasting process of self improvement and service to humankind.
3- To enable men and women to live as part of Nature and to express their true personalities, by developing the capacities of each individual.
New Acropolis: General meeting's resolutions
1992. « (...) Consequently, OINA has taken the decision to launch an international campaign to encourage people to become aware of the real values of humanism and respect for the human being (...) »
1995. « (...) The construction of a supportive, fraternal and just society based on the guaranteed dignity of all individuals and the recognition of values of union and concord. Given that the experience of cultural diversity is a source of mutual enrichment and social progress.»
1998. « (...) To commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in all the countries where branches of the OINA exist, by promoting specific activities aimed at underlining the fundamental value of the Human Being and respect for his dignity. »
1999. « (...) To develop activities which will restore the dignity of underprivileged communities, promoting respect for racial, cultural and religious minorities (...) »
2000. « (...) Nor should it be forgotten that the aim of the philosophy and the activities promoted by the OINA is to strengthen the ability to think and act for oneself and, therefore, to play a proactive role in the democratic processes that promote respect for the dignity and the rights of man. (...) »
2006. « (...) OINA reiterates the value of philosophy as a model of social commitment, since the values encouraged by philosophical knowledge promote in the individual a consciousness of humanity which enables it to recognize the needs of human beings and generates the desire to serve others. The General Meeting of OINA insists on the practical sense of philosophical knowledge as an indispensable instrument for helping the society of our time and developing greater solidarity. (...) »
1998. « (...) To commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in all the countries where branches of the OINA exist, by promoting specific activities aimed at underlining the fundamental value of the Human Being and respect for his dignity.
(...) To reject intolerance of any kind and to take the Universal Declaration as a paradigmatic example of Humanity's concern for the protection of Human Rights, which should be extolled, and to redouble its efforts in this area.(...) »
2003. « (...) It therefore decides: to organize activities to promote peace, oppose violence, and foster the encounter of human beings in a spirit of mutual understanding, manifesting once more the ideal of universal fraternity that inspires the founding principles of the OINA. (...) »
2005. « (...) RECALLS, furthermore, that the constitutional and founding principles of OINA contain in their first point the need to promote fraternity among human beings without distinction of creed, race, sex or social status, in order to encourage a society and an international community which will be more just and supportive, as is also contained in the United Nations Charter.(...) »
2006. « (...) Finally, continuing the work it has carried out since its beginnings, forty-nine years ago, OINA is determined to continue with the efforts necessary to bring culture in all its expressions to people of all types without distinctions of creed, race or social status.(...) »
2007. « (...) That in respect of the member countries of the OINA within the area of the European Union, it was decided at this General Meeting to support the proposal of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union to designate 2007 as the European Year of Equality of Opportunities for All (...). This is especially relevant as one of the basic principles of the Founding Charter of the OINA is “to promote the spirit of universal fraternity among people of all creeds, races and social backgrounds”..(...) »
2008. « (...) To highlight the OINA’s support for the commemoration of the Sixtieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948-2008) promoted by the United Nations, and the European Union initiative which has declared 2008 as the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue »).(...) »
http://www.acropolis.org/en/quienes_somos-asamblea.php?nota=2008#1
1991. « (...) To defend freedom of expression by continuing with the world-wide campaigns for the rehabilitation of the figure of Giordano Bruno.(...) »
1996. « (...)
The General Meeting of the OINA passed the following Resolution: It
decided to promote, throughout 1996, the International Year for the
Eradication of Poverty, as proclaimed by the United Nations General
Assembly in its Resolution A/48/719; and to develop actions in the area
of culture and education, particularly to further the values of
fraternity, liberty and equality.(...) »
1998. « (...)That in view of the permanent and massive violations of individual rights and fundamental liberties and, in particular, in view of the persecution or discrimination of racial, cultural or religious minorities, as well as the numerous cases of repression of freedom of expression which continue to be observed in many countries throughout the world (...) decide (...) To commemorate the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in all the countries where branches of the OINA exist, by promoting specific activities aimed at underlining the fundamental value of the Human Being and respect for his dignity.(...) »
1999. « (...) To continue with the Giordano Bruno project in favour of freedom of thought, in line with the series of events organised by the OINA in this respect; and, in view of the fact that the Fourth Centenary of his death will be commemorated in the year 2000, to organize commemorative events along these lines.(...) »
2004. « (...) In this sense, it wishes to issue a call for peace and common sense; to recall that this indiscriminate violence can only lead to a spiral of hatred and fanaticism that will give rise to a new kind of world war of terror, driving human beings to degrading types of behaviour which will reduce freedom and harmony. OINA therefore appeals to its member associations around the world to carry out campaigns to promote dialogue and tolerance.(...) »
2005. « (...) WISHES TO EXPRESS its satisfaction with the different activities carried out by the national Delegations associated with OINA during 2004 in the context of social action, tolerance, non-discrimination and freedom of thought.(...) »
2007. « (...) That in the globalized world in which we live, the OINA has become an excellent means for disseminating philosophical thought, since its member associations all over the world, as stated in its Founding Charter, propose “to awaken a holistic vision of the world through the comparative study of philosophy, science, religion and the arts”. This principle has led it over all the past years to carry out quality work in the dissemination of culture and freedom of thought, and to continue to do so in the future.(...) »
