Today as the world joins in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we at the European Union of Jewish Students would also like to reflect on the world’s achievements over the last half century, as well as look into the future as per how to further global and individual endeavours in securing a better tomorrow with peace, prosperity and stability for all human beings. EUJS strongly believes in the values encrypted in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and it continuously contributes the fulfilment of those values through its actions, activities, campaigns and programming.
Recent years have unfortunately shown that current mechanisms in place do not necessarily serve these universal principles; rather, they foster state owned interests at the expense of individuals in distress and need. We regretfully note that globally adopted principles stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights still remain a faraway dream in places like Darfur, Iran and on occasions in Europe as well.
The European Union of Jewish Students urges the United Nations, the European Union, the Council of Europe, and all national decision makers to stand up for the dignity of every individual in ensuring that the fundamental human rights as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are ensured and guaranteed in Europe and across the world. EUJS, representing over 200,000 Jewish students in 34 countries in Europe, commits to continuing our contribution to this fight as the voice of the civil society in Europe, and we urge all our fellow peers to join in.
The European Union of Jewish Students, the sole democratically elected voice of European Jewish youth at the European level and at the European Youth Forum, is one of the largest international student organizations worldwide.
Its annual programming includes the Summer University, international, inter-religious and inter-generational seminars, study sessions, and cutting edge work that puts it at the forefront of the European context. The European Union of Jewish Students is the sole Jewish youth organization to have obtained the special ECOSOC Consultative Status at the United Nations.
