One Global Commons

1) The UDHR and the recognition of Human Needs and Responsibilities

In 1948 the United Nations produced a document, entitled the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has become an inherent part of the UN and to which all members must adhere. This document, although clearly flawed since it is based on the unsustainable Nation-State system, provides a base upon which to build our new world that works for the highest good of all. It proclaims that “freedom from fear and want” is the “highest aspiration of the common people” while affirming freedom of movement to and from any place on Earth. It declares that “everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing…” These are of course the same needs that we recognize as being essential to the survival of human beings.

The Declaration also states that everyone has “duties to the community” without enumerating what these duties are. Perhaps what is needed is a Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities as well as Rights. The six basic needs of any community are healthy food and water, non-toxic clothing, sustainable shelter, love, energy (including power, money and transportation) and the beauty to hold it all together in a way that feeds the soul. These needs are similar to the rights enumerated in the UDHR. Our duty is our personal and collective responsibility to meet these needs in ways which will allow individual communities and the planet to thrive. »