human rights meditations: week 19

Welcome to Week 19 of Human Rights Meditations. Each week we’re looking at an Article in the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Learn more about the series here. This week we’re looking at Article 19 of the UDHR.

Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Read over the article above a few times and let it sink in (this is a long one, so you may want to break it up as you reflect). As you reflect, consider the following:

·          What's the first picture that came to your mind?

·          How did you respond to what you read?

·          Reflect how you feel about yourself in comparison to others.

·          Reflect on how you perceive others in your world. 

·          Reflect on your understanding of global issues.

Write the article down and stick it somewhere where you know you'll see it throughout the week. This will prompt you to keep the thinking going! Alternatively, write down something that has stood out to you throughout this meditation.  

Now, get talking! Let's talk openly about our thoughts on each article, what we're learning about ourselves and some of the actions we're taking to live more in line with the Declaration. Don't forget that as well as chatting via the comments below, you can get talking via twitter by including this tag: #hrmlak

I'll go first: 

• Where's the line? Where does freedom of expression become being cruel to others? 
• I'm also thinking about the difference between tolerance and acceptance, and perhaps the line is that we can have our freedom of expression as long as we demonstrate one of the two... I think most people probably demonstrate tolerance, but that this can still be quite cruel, and perhaps we need to learn a little more acceptance! 
• Also thinking about countries that have much stricter rules around internet access/access to the news etc. AND thinking of the likeness of this situation and our own situation in Australia where the news is primarily managed by a couple of media corporations... these are quite controlled and I wonder how "managed" my access to information, and journalist's ability to present information is... 

Kate xx

PS No picture today... lazy me forgot to organise one... Feel free to post links to relevant art in the comment box below!