December 10 is International Human Rights Day and celebrates the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In commemoration, we bring attention to our freedoms and highlight how we can advocate for ourselves when these are disrupted.
If you’re looking for ideas on how to celebrate Human Rights Day with an event, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for inspiration and to understand how to observe this important day.
What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) document ensures basic rights for every human being regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin, and other statuses. The drafting of the UDHR was a monumental occasion, and December 10 was deemed Human Rights Day. This day celebrates the dignity the UDHR grants us and raises awareness of how people’s rights are violated.
International Human Rights Day promotes equality, peace, justice, and the protection of human rights. Finding ways to honour these values is important, so we’ve devised 10 ideas for creating events for the day.
10 event ideas to celebrate International Human Rights Day
Many people may not know how to celebrate International Human Rights Day. As an event creator, it’s your job to provide people with ways to commemorate this special day. The following Human Rights Day celebration ideas are engaging, educational, and designed to spark inspiration for activism.
1. Organise powerful performances
Performances are an artistic way to convey the meaning of Human Rights Day. Invite local artists to perform pieces centred around pertinent themes. Performances can include poem readings, dance routines, monologues, or skits. Amnesty International Australia hosted an Afternoon for Human Rights event with musical performances to support and celebrate the day.
2. Host an online conference
An online conference allows attendees to listen to one speaker at a time, increasing audience engagement. An online event can reach a wider group of people than an in-person event, potentially giving you an international audience.
To host your own webinar for Human Rights Day, start by reaching out to candidates such as activists, community leaders, and authors. Allow attendees to interact with speakers by organising breakout rooms with Q&A sessions.
For more ways to make your online event one to remember, check out our guide to hosting an online event.
3. Celebrate the community with an awards ceremony
Recognise human rights advocates in your community with an awards ceremony. This is perfect for charities and other organisations that want to celebrate their members.
An awards ceremony is an opportunity to educate people on human rights issues. Invite keynote speakers to give addresses, and for entertainment, organise artists to perform thematically aligned work. If you want to include food and beverages at your event, ask local restaurants and caterers if they want to collaborate.
4. Encourage new connections with a networking event
Organising a networking event can help human rights advocates connect. This will allow passionate attendees to swap ideas on initiatives and efforts.
Your event can be virtual or in-person. Virtual networking is a draw for many event-goers; this format provides easy access and allows participants to connect with people outside their community.
If you opt for an in-person event, consider icebreakers, such as speed networking or scavenger hunts, to encourage conversation.
5. Curate an art exhibition
Art and photography deliver messages in powerful and unique ways. Curating an exhibit will give attendees a fresh perspective on human rights issues and themes, such as gender inequality, human trafficking, and reproductive rights.
Human rights are relevant to everyone, so you’re bound to find artists with a story to tell. To find artists, visit your local art gallery or scour social media.
6. Educate attendees with a panel discussion or forum
If you want to showcase diverse voices, organise a panel or forum. A roundtable gives more than one insight into a topic and provides an enriching and educational experience. Melbourne Political, Legal, and Social Theory Group hosted a thought-provoking forum that featured local leaders and activists in the area.
Keeping your panel local helps attendees connect with their community, but you’re not limited to this approach. Invite international speakers to lend their voices. For instance, a virtual roundtable allows speakers from all over the world to gather in one place and share their input.
7. Present a self-advocacy workshop
Human rights extend to all areas of life. Issues around gender, age, and racial inequality impact millions of people, and many aren’t equipped to advocate for themselves when these issues arise.
Offering a self-advocacy workshop empowers people to use their voices. Need inspiration? Eventbrite creator Division of Equity Diversity and Inclusion hosted a session discussing racism and how to respond to it strategically.
Take a look at our how-to guide to creating an interactive workshop for ways to bring your event to life.
8. Human rights young activism event
Inspire tomorrow’s leaders with an activism summit. First, start with a line-up of invigorating speakers. A group of experienced guests can lend their knowledge and ignite the spark in young people interested in human rights defence. The Asia Education Foundation hosted an event inviting Year 9 and 10 students around Victoria to expand their knowledge of human rights and the role of activists around the world. Build upon this by adding training sessions, discussions, and workshops.
9. Hold a Human Rights Day Festival
Encourage people to come out and celebrate the freedoms the Declaration of Human Rights grants. Instead of a one-day affair, make this a weekend-long extravaganza.
Here is an example of what a human rights festival could look like:
Friday: Panel discussions, theatre performances, children’s exhibits, musical performances
Saturday: Art showcase, poetry reading, trade show booths, musical performances
Sunday: Book fair, musical performances, activism workshops
For a large-scale festival like this, approach event sponsors. Involving sponsors will help cover costs, and partnerships can increase your reach.
10. Plan a kids’ activity day
A kid-friendly Human Rights Day event can be both educational and fun. For instance, host a read-aloud that features children’s books about human rights issues. After the reading, provide games and activities that test kids’ knowledge of the book’s topics. You might even consider inviting the author to do a Q&A and signing.
Get started with Eventbrite
We hope these Human Rights Day event ideas will inspire your own event. Once you’ve figured out how you want to celebrate the day, make it a reality with Eventbrite and post your event listing.
