The People’s Forum on Human Rights and Responsibilities (PFHRR)

The People’s Forum on Human Rights and Responsibilities (PFHRR) serves as a platform or initiative designed to foster public dialogue, engagement, and action concerning the interconnected nature of human rights and responsibilities within society. This type of forum typically aims to promote a deeper understanding among citizens regarding their fundamental rights while also emphasizing the corresponding obligations and duties necessary for the effective functioning of a just and equitable community. The PFHRR encompasses a range of activities, such as public meetings, educational workshops, online discussions, and advocacy campaigns, all geared towards empowering individuals and collectives to actively participate in the promotion and protection of human rights, coupled with a heightened awareness of their roles and responsibilities in upholding these rights for all members of society. The inclusion of “responsibilities” in the forum’s title suggests a holistic approach that moves beyond simply claiming rights to also considering the ethical and social obligations that contribute to a thriving human rights culture.

Overview

No society can live without human rights and responsibilities. And, as the population of the world increases and we become more aware of our human interdependence, these rights and responsibilities become essential for human betterment, social stability, world peace, and predictable and equitable prosperity for all. Despite this basic foundation of any society, human rights are violated everywhere, and there are only a few socially responsible people who assume their responsibilities. These are personal as well as collective responsibilities. We are at the dawn of the Third Millennium, and we are still debating whether men and women are equal. Or, whether children have rights. If the elderly, the handicapped, indigenous people, the youth, minorities of all sorts (ethnic, religious, spiritual) have rights. This is a tragedy that needs to be eradicated from this Planet.

But it is easier said than done. In addition to the above, the present system of economics, our market-oriented material human progress, and the key actors (e.g., governments and business) have failed the large majority of people. We live in a world where a huge number of people go hungry every night, where thousands of children die daily of preventable diseases, where the destruction is deep and dangerous, where little is done for future generations, where many diseases are spreading like a wildfire, and so much more. The market system of liberal democracy, with one of the greatest potentials for enhancing humanity’s present reality, is totally bankrupt. Also, being in the same state of affairs are all the institutions that accompany and reinforce those systems. As a matter of fact, there was a lot of joy when communism failed, and the Berlin Wall came down to free so many millions of oppressed people. Thus, there was a feeling that the gate was totally open, with no competition for Western democratic capitalism. Unfortunately, this form of capitalism has not yet attained expected results, and it is really far from doing so. The main reason is simple: ultimately, the attention should not focus on the system, be it capitalist, communist, or any ‘ist’ one may decide to invent and follow. The real attention must be on the human consciousness, awareness, and coherence of those within the system. Capitalism and liberal democracy with little or no human consciousness is even worse than communism or any other ‘ism’.

The “end of history” (borrowing Francis Fukuyama’s book title) will not happen until people, not systems of institutions, attain high levels of enlightenment and self-realization. In the end, a society of highly self-realized beings will not focus much on entities or organizations. It is at a lower level of consciousness that human beings rely on systems and organizational arrangements. Because of the abovementioned bankruptcy, there is a great need to look for non-market means to attain human and social objectives.

And, it is here where normative values and norms (formal or informal, individual or collective, implicit or explicit) become increasingly important and, if not, essential to pursue a different path for human destiny.

It is in this context that human rights and responsibilities are extremely important as a framework, as a value system, and as a sustainable foundation for policies and human activities. However, for these human rights to be materialized in a human fashion, an organizational revolution must take place. The real strength and source of existence and legitimacy must come from the people themselves.

No screens, no filters, and no interpretation. And the efficacy will depend on human consciousness, once again. Thus, the realization of human rights demands that one works on the people’s spiritual development as well as on human interdependence in the contexts of the abovementioned norms and institutional arrangements. One must go with the other.

This is why a “People’s Forum on Human Rights and Responsibilities” is essential to move from development and sustainable development towards “Empowered Development”. This is a process of both inner and outer empowerment. Present technology allows This Forum to exist and become a very practical and doable idea. The Internet and other means of communication and networking are now available to even the poorest corners of the world. This Forum will be an outlet for spiritual growth in an environment where all human rights and responsibilities are fulfilled. This is not a forum for shame and blame. This is a Forum where the values of peace, justice, empowerment, representation, transparency, accountability, interdependence, fraternity, commitment, free choice, and participation are self-realized. This Forum will be the kernel in the formation of new alliances for human transformation and betterment. And, as such, it will open its doors for universities, governments, businesses, unions, NGOs, and any other human organization that shares a vision of a world where rights and responsibilities are fulfilled. Today, human rights and responsibilities are at the mercy of governments and of government-based organizations. This has to change and change now. At its beginnings, major attention will be paid to all the bills of human rights and instruments thereof. But these will be expanded and reformed as the people see fit.

Purpose and Objectives

There are three fundamental purposes: First, to seek a world consensus on the fundamental rights and responsibilities needed to operate in a global society. The long-term fulfillment of those rights and responsibilities is an essential ingredient for peace, security, and human betterment. Second, to create the type of organizational arrangements that will enable EVERY CITIZEN of this Planet to express views and propose actions. Terminate the elitist system that exists today, marked by power struggles and power plays. It will be a flat and self-sustained organization using all the technological means at the disposal of humanity at this juncture in history. It will begin with the use of the internet and other low-cost forms of communication. Third, to provide the human and spiritual foundations for the realization of all human rights and the consolidation of personal and collective responsibilities. This is to say all actors with equal weight and coequal responsibility. The above-mentioned foundation is essential to the processes as well as the expected outcomes. To fulfill the above objectives, The Forum will carry some key activities: Establish partnerships and alliances all over the world with all stakeholders; Impart training and capacity building at the grass roots level; prepare and implement seminars and workshops including at the university level; Create the conditions for conflict resolution; Become part of those processes established and use many means of communication (radio, written media, TV, video conferencing); Provide advice to governments, unions, NGOs and other social actors; associate itself with business and design special instruments tailored to their situation; have an open space to give free advice to the person on the street; get involved in public speaking, television programs etc.; and disseminate knowledge and ideas through posters, CDs, DVDs, newsletters, logos, stamps, and more.