November 7, 2008
by Melissa Ramirez Cooper

To envision a world free from violence, about 25 Lutherans and other Christians examined the origins and principles of the "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" at an Oct. 30-31 consultation on human rights. The declaration was adopted Dec. 10, 1948, by the General Assembly of the United Nations; 2008 marks its 60th anniversary. Hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's (ELCA) inter-unit task force for the Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence, the consultation offered a series of case studies on the right to property and how migration, corporate social responsibility and climate change affect human rights. Other presentations included the public church and peacemaking, advocacy and campaigns, women organizing for human rights, exceptionalism in United States foreign policy and its impact on human rights, and more.

"We hope that people in our congregations, synods and throughout the church would become more familiar with what's in the declaration," said Dennis W. Frado, director, Lutheran Office for World Community, New York. He said Lutherans have been involved in advocating for human rights since World War II. "It's part of our background that calls us to be involved, and our belief that each person is created in the image of God," said Frado. "The consultation served to outline the many situations where human rights are being violated or have the potential to be violated, such as in climate change. What (role) does the international community have in receiving people who are affected by climate change?" he said.

Discussions produced some action steps and recommendations to be compiled in a report, said the Rev. Ronald W. Duty, assistant director for studies, ELCA Church in Society. "Among the recommendations was the drafting of a message on human rights tied to the (ELCA) social statement, ‘For Peace in God's World,'" he said. Papers presented at the consultation will be published online in the February 2009 issue of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics.

ELCA News Service