Twelfth Annual Human Rights Day Award 2021 By the Southern Illinois Chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA

Each year, Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10. This day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

The UDHR is a foundational instrument that proclaims the inalienable human rights to which every person is entitled regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

The 2021 Human Rights Day theme is: EQUALITY: Reducing Inequalities and Advancing Human Rights. This year’s theme relates to first article of the UNDR which states that, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

In honor of Human Rights Day, the Southern Illinois Chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) will award the 2021 Human Rights Day Award to the staff of the Carbondale Warming Center, under the leadership of Carmelita Cahill, for its work providing shelter, food, and other services to persons in our community without discrimination. The services provided by the Carbondale Warming Center help its clients live up to their full potential thereby restoring their dignity.

The Warming Center’s mission is: “To provide a nighttime sleeping space on cold nights, as a supplement to Carbondale’s existing shelter system, for the sake of human dignity, safety, and survival.” The Warming Center has continued to meet its mission by continually adapting to changing circumstances, expanding its hours and opening year-round during the COVID-10 pandemic for the safety of its clients and the larger community. The work of the Warming Center furthers several of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals to reduce hunger, promote good health and well-being, and ensure access to clean water.

Presentation of the award will occur on Friday, December 10, 2021 at the University Museum on the SIU campus. The program and presentation of the award will begin at approximately 2:00 p.m.