WE DECLARE

By Isabelle Guthrie | Published October 16, 2023

From Oct. 2 to Dec. 8, 2023, Kean University will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a momentous occasion for this document that made history.

A mural called “WE DECLARE” by Artist-in-Residence Ricardo Roig will feature many leading human rights activists. Human Rights Institute Annual (HRI) Conference speakers and historical figures who made this document and its validation will make an appearance.

The Opening Reception is on Oct. 12 from 5-8 PM and Nov. 2 is a student-only event featuring Roig, plus a panel discussion, in the HRI Gallery.

The UDHR is a document that acts like a global road map for freedom and equality –protecting the rights of every individual, everywhere. It was the first time countries agreed on the freedoms and rights that deserve universal protection for every individual to live their lives, equally and in dignity, according to Amnesty International, a human rights group.

The United Nations adopted the document on December 10, 1948, shortly after the end of World War II. Itsadoption recognized human rights to be the foundation for freedom, justice, and peace.

The event and mural will be a reminder of this declaration as well as bring more awareness tothe everlasting human rights issue in the United States. Roig explained the significance of the mural and the idea behind it.

“There’s an Isaac Newton quote that says,“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.” and it’s all in that quote,” Roig said. “Everyone that has come before us and with us now, so it’s everybody that is bringing their best self, their best qualities, their best way to be of service to others so that we could all share this fight for respect for everyone.

Executive Director of Kean’s Liberty Hall Academic Center and Galleries, Lynette Zimmerman Ed.D, M.S., explained the mural’s process.

“We had students do research, so who has come to Kean, who are instrumental in New Jersey and are advocating for human rights, disability rights, LGBTIQQ+, civil rights, you name it,” Zimmerman said. “Who’s doing it now and then also the historical figures that were prominent in the creation of the document.”

There is still a fight for human rights. There has been so much controversy as to why people’s rights aren’t valued and why there isn’t equality among us.

So much is happening in society today. That alone makes thisevent extremely meaningful to the Kean community, especially since Kean is a diverse university. 

Roig had explained what he hopes students feel when viewing the mural.

“I want students to feel uplifted, empowered, curious, and to let them know that their life matters, what they do matters, what they think matters,” Roig stated. “A person’s will can definitely transcend time and to have faith that you’re here surrounded in the company of school that is going to support that at every angle and encourage your individuality, which is truly all we have.”

Kean University makes it necessary to let their community know their strong advocacy for human rights. From this, students feel safe and able to express their feelings without being shut down.

Sofia Veloso, senior business management major and marketing minor at Kean, stated how critical the making of the mural is for this event.

“I think it is important because of how modern-day society is. There is so much going on in the world and this is somethingthat everyone can enjoy. I think it is amazing how art can bring everyone together and this will bring human rights activists and people outside of it together,” Veloso said.

Students feel this equality and freedom that Kean encourages students to feel. They feel that they value their rights and aren’t afraid to express themselves.

Julia Indrawis, a senior majoring in business management, believes that Kean strongly advocates for human rights and feels that her rights are valued. 

“I believe they do value human rights. They have a lot of events celebrating people and things and by showcasing this event they’re showing where their priorities are,” Indrawis stated “I never felt that I wasn’t valued as a person.”

Veloso also expressed that her rights are valued at Kean and thatshe feels comfortable expressing herself. 

“As a woman, yes I feel my rights are valued, as a student of course because I feel safe there and I feel I can say how I feel without being shut down,” Veloso stated. “I can express myself.”

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