Happy Human Rights Day!
On December 10, Durham College joins the global community in recognizing Human Rights Day on the anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948.
While this day is celebratory, it also reminds us of the ongoing challenges that affect students and communities worldwide. Globally, human rights violations remain widespread: last year, over 150 countries reported significant concerns, including discrimination and restrictions on freedom of expression. Closer to home, surveys at Ontario universities show many students have witnessed acts of racism and discrimination, often with significant mental health impacts and low reporting rates. Our own campus census identified numerous equity-deserving communities experiencing a low sense of belonging, highlighting room for growth and a renewed commitment to human rights locally and globally to ensure everyone is valued and respected.
The United Nations 2025 theme, “Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials”, is a timely affirmation that human rights are fundamental to our shared human experience and a responsibility we all uphold daily. In the face of uncertainty, we call on our campus community to continue fostering a safe, equitable environment where everyone can thrive.
Below are ways you can champion human rights at DC:
Get Familiar:
- Review DC’s Human Rights and Inclusion policies and procedures to ensure you are familiar with your rights and responsibilities as students.
Here’s how you can access support:
- To request a Human Rights consultation to address any concerns you may have, please email Humanrightssupport@durhamcollege.ca.
- All students who have been affected by gender-based violence/ sexual violence are encouraged to email SVsupport@durhamcollege.ca for support and resources.
- The R.I.S.E program provides education, advocacy, response pathways to students from equity-deserving communities and their allies.
Show Your Commitment:
Show your commitment for human rights by sharing a post expressing one of your human rights that are a daily essential and tag @equityatdc and/or use the hashtag #DCHumanRightsDay2025 on Instagram.
Listen and Learn:
- Join an educational workshop, webinar or watch a documentary or movie highlighting equity-deserving community voices and experiences, available through the DC Library Resources.
For continued learning on Human Rights visit the Ontario Human Rights Commissions website for general information or visit UN’s Human Rights Day webpage.
Speak up and speak out:
When you hear discriminatory language or witness exclusion, hate or violence, say something. You can learn how to champion human rights through the UN’s #standupforhumanrights campaign.
The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI) at DC is committed to addressing and preventing all acts of violence, hate, discrimination, and exclusion through proactive human rights-based and trauma-informed policies, programs and supports. In recognition of Human Rights Day, we invite you to join us in fostering a culture of respect, mindfulness, and inclusion. Let’s use our voices to challenge hate, uplift one another, and create spaces where everyone feels safe and valued. Whether through dialogue, education, or allyship, your participation matters. Take a moment today to reflect, speak out, and take action toward a more compassionate world.
