NC State Celebrates Human Rights
North Carolina State University joins the international community in celebrating the 60th anniversary of the United Nations’ adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document provides the model and lays the foundation for international treaties, national constitutions, and laws in countries around the world guaranteeing human rights, such as the right to life, liberty and security, the rights to freedom from slavery and torture, and the right to freedom of movement.
Special Exhibition Nov. 10 – Dec. 5, 2008: The International Print Portfolio: Artists’ Expressions of Universal Human Rights
The creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the historic document that sets forth the inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms of all the world’s people, constituted an international pledge to ensure that the atrocities of the Nazi holocaust would never happen again.
This historic human rights document is celebrated in the exhibition: The International Print Portfolio: Artists’ Expressions of Universal Human Rights, on view in the African American Cultural Center Gallery (2nd Floor Witherspoon Student Center) Nov. 10 through Dec. 5, 2008. Gallery hours are Monday – Thursday 1 to 9 p.m. and Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m.
Artists for Human Rights, a group of human rights activists and artists based in Durban, South Africa, produced an international print portfolio in 1998 consisting of images based on the 30 articles of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Artists for Human Rights invited artists from countries that suffered grave human rights abuses to respond to one of the articles of the UDHR. The International Print Portfolio project, launched by the Dalai Lama, resulted in a unique limited edition of prints.
The prints featured in this exhibition were produced by a diverse group of artists from all over the world, from Africa, Asia and the Middle East to Australia and the Americas. These striking, sometimes disturbing works are accompanied by artist biographies and statements by the artists that reveal their individual perspectives on issues of art and human rights.
Nov. 13 Opening Reception for Gallery Exhibition
The African American Cultural Center Gallery will host a reception on Nov. 13 to celebrate the opening of the human rights exhibition “The International Print Portfolio: Artists’ Expressions of Universal Human Rights.” At the reception the African Student Union will present African dance and music, the NC State Proclamation on Human Rights Day will be read and refreshments will be served. The reception will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Washington Sankofa Room of the African American Cultural Center located in room 126 Witherspoon Student Center. The event is free and open to all.
Proclamation Ceremony at Nov. 29 Football Game
The Chancellor’s proclamation establishing Dec. 10, 2008, as Human Rights Day at NC State will be presented by Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion Jose Picart in a brief ceremony at halftime of the NC State-Miami football game on Saturday, Nov. 29. Student Body President Jay Dawkins will receive the proclamation on behalf of the NC State student body and Dr. Slater Newman will receive it on behalf of the Human Rights Coalition of North Carolina.
Chancellor’s Proclamation of Dec. 10 as Human Rights Day at NC State
Chancellor James Oblinger will issue a proclamation declaring Dec. 10, 2008, as Human Rights Day at NC State. The proclamation declares that “North Carolina State University embraces this global challenge to improve the human condition through education and innovation, and promoting human rights in North Carolina, in the United States and around the globe is central to our purpose, our mission and our values.”
