70 years ago, following the horrors of the second world war, members of the newly founded United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Since then, its 30 articles have laid the foundation for international treaties, human rights instruments, and other laws.
While being a unique document, the Declaration enshrined values that were already core beliefs for many. 800 years ago, in his Letter to the Rulers of the People, St. Francis called on the powerful to respect human dignity, creation, and be unwavering in their commitment to peace. Following this long Franciscan tradition, Franciscans International advocates on behalf of victims of human rights abuses, to ensure that their voices are heard by today’s leaders at the United Nations.
2019 will mark Franciscans International’s 30th anniversary, and throughout the year we will be organizing a number of events to celebrate our achievements and reflect on the many challenges we still face. We invite you to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or subscribe to our newsletter (in English, French, Spanish, German, or Italian) to stay informed about all our upcoming activities.