What We Celebrate: International Human Rights Day


By Hannah Moulds, Community Engagement Librarian

December 10 is International Human Rights Day. This is a day dedicated to promoting and reflecting on the universal rights that belong to all of us simply because we are human. These universal rights include the rights to food, education, work, health and liberty.

The 2024 theme for International Human Rights Day, “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now," focuses on how human rights are a pathway to solutions, playing a critical role as a preventative and transformative force for good. As we navigate challenges such as climate change, global conflicts and persistent social inequities, this day reminds us of the importance of safeguarding these principles. Human rights are not just abstract ideals; they manifest in the everyday lives of individuals—in access to education, fair employment, healthcare and freedom from discrimination. By commemorating this day, we recommit to creating a more just and equitable world where everyone’s rights are respected and upheld.

Human Rights Day reminds me of the importance of KDL's commitment to providing equitable access to information, education and resources to everyone here in our community.  For many reasons, it's not easy for everyone to access the library. Here in the Community Engagement Department, we are especially committed to bringing library services out to our communities that face barriers accessing our brick-and-mortar libraries. Everybody deserves to use their library, because libraries are for everyone!

You can learn more about Human Rights Day here.