Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Kazakhstan N.L. Gumilev Eurasian National University prepared a joint ‘Universal Human Values and Rights Manifesto’ and opened it for signatures.
Drawing attention to the events in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and most recently in Gaza, the manifesto quickly reached 25,000 signatures. Aiming for 100,000 signatures for stronger representation in the UN General Assembly and Security Council, the manifesto will be submitted to the council at the end of the year.
In the manifesto, consisting of 10 articles; “As two universities, based on the events that have occurred, we foresaw that universal concepts and ideas need to be re-evaluated. As N.L. Guliyev National Eurasian University and Üsküdar Üniversitesi; we thought it was a burden for the university community, which is an environment where human rights and freedoms are experienced and discussed at the highest level, to remain silent in such a situation. We wanted to make our voice heard not with an individual reaction, but with an institutional consensus, and to express our thoughts with a manifesto.” these statements were included.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Kazakhstan N.L. Gumilev Eurasian National University, inspired by the lives, works, and legacy of the great thinkers Farabi and Hoca Ahmed Yesevi, other world thinkers, the United Nations (UN), UNESCO, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, prepared a joint Universal Human Values and Rights Manifesto and opened it for signatures.
The manifesto, which reached its goal of 25 THOUSAND signatures in a very short time since its opening for signatures, will be submitted to the UN General Assembly and Security Council with 100,000 signatures at the end of this year.
Living values within the scope of the 'Living Values Education Program (LVEP)' project…
In the Manifesto, which states that the main objectives of the UN Charter are; to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, the following was noted:
“The living values within the scope of the international ‘Living Values Education Program (LVEP)’ project supported by UNESCO, namely ‘Happiness, honesty, humility, cooperation, freedom, love, peace, respect, responsibility, simplicity, tolerance, unity,’ were prepared under 12 headings by the UNICEF education cluster and recognized by UNESCO. Article 1 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights states ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.’
Furthermore, it states, ‘There is an emphasis on the right to life, the right to a fair trial, the right to equality, the right to liberty, the right to access health, the right to asylum, the right to protection from torture, the right to obtain essential needs, the right to travel, the right to marry, the right to property, the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and the right to express it, the right to peaceful assembly, the right to social security, the right to work, the right to education and learning, along with duties and responsibilities towards the community.’”
Virtues from Farabi and Hoca Ahmed Yesevi…
In the Manifesto, it is stated that Abu Nasr Muhammad al-Farabi, one of the leading thinkers of the Islamic Golden Age, author of theories on metaphysics, psychology, and politics, the Second Teacher of the world, a scholar and philosopher of global scale from the Turkish World, addressed virtues under two headings: ‘Ethical’ and ‘Intellectual,’ and the following views were included:
“He classifies ethical virtues as; ‘Temperance, - Courage, - Generosity, - Justice,’ and intellectual virtues as; ‘Wisdom, -Emotional Intelligence, -Social Intelligence.’ Therefore, according to Al-Farabi, the most important aspects of ethics define true happiness as possessing all these 7 virtues. Furthermore, Al-Farabi calls virtuous people free by nature and summarized it as, ‘Our planet Earth becomes virtuous and transforms into a perfect universal state only when all nations cooperate and help each other with the aim of achieving happiness.’
Seyyid mystic poet Hoca Ahmed Yesevi, a world-renowned theologian, spiritual guide, religious scholar, educator, Turkish poet, philosopher, the most prominent religious figure in the history of Sufism, and the founder of the first Turkish Sufi Order, emphasizes the importance of virtues such as wisdom, patience, and perfection in his poems and highlights how they contribute to true dignity and personal development, bringing forward the virtues of love and trust in humanity, homeland, and the divine.”
6 virtues, 24 character strengths
In the Manifesto, it is stated that Howard Earl Gardner, the developer of the multiple intelligences concept, places values under 6 virtues as 24 character strengths, and the 24 character strengths under 6 virtues are listed as follows:
“I-Wisdom; 1.Originality, 2.Curiosity, 3.Openness to Learning, 4.Open-mindedness, 5.Broad Perspective,
II-Courage; 6.Honesty, 7.Being Brave, 8.Resourcefulness, 9.Enjoyment,
III-Humanity; 10.Compassion, 11.Capacity to Love and Be Loved, 12.Social Intelligence,
IV-Fairness; 13.Justice, 14.Leadership, 15.Citizenship,
V-Temperance; 16.Forgiveness, 17.Humility, 18.Caution, 19.Self-Control,
VI-Transcendence; 20.Appreciation of Beauty, 21.Gratitude, 22.Hope, 23.Humor, 24.Spirituality.”
“The world has turned upside down and is once again in danger”
In the Manifesto, it was noted that humanity hoped the 21st century would herald a new era of global cooperation, and it continued as follows:
“However, by the end of the first quarter, we unfortunately saw that this did not happen. Racism and xenophobia, inequalities, and terrible human rights violations are rapidly increasing. In fundamental aspects, the world has turned upside down and is once again in danger. The risks cannot be underestimated as the threat is a deadly war on a global scale. Because conflicts have deepened and new dangers have emerged. Global concerns regarding nuclear weapons are at their highest level since the Cold War. Furthermore, climate change is advancing significantly and rapidly.
On the other hand, the year 2025, opening the door to the second quarter of the 21st century, will be a turning point representing a significant stance on issues of war and peace, security and development, the rule of law, and shrinking humanitarian space. Especially noteworthy is the apocalyptic threat that will arise if the international community fails to establish a completely new peaceful, secure, safe, and prosperous discourse, philosophy, architecture, geopolitical, geo-economic space, and order for our fragile planet.”
“Human, social inequality” situation threatens global peace
In the Manifesto, it was emphasized that after examining all these human values, a serious situation of “human, social inequality” created by psychopolitical events in recent years has come to threaten global peace. “The time has come to turn to ourselves rather than the enemies politics shows us, and to confront the hatred, racism, colonialism, discrimination, othering, and feelings of silence towards evil within us. After analyzing the serious 'human and social inequality' created by the psychopolitical events of the last 25 years and threatening global peace, the time has come to turn to ourselves, not the enemies that politics shows us, and to make hatred, racism, colonialism, discrimination, othering, and silence against evil our enemies. Only together can we define, promote, and implement our universal virtues, resolve conflicts, overcome hatred, and defend common universal values.” this statement was included.
Neglected values recalled
In the Manifesto, it was pointed out that the aim was to recall “neglected values” for our generous planet to be more livable, just, peaceful, and sustainable, without discrimination based on race, color, religion, language, belief, culture, and country, and the following was emphasized:
“As two universities, based on the events that have occurred, we foresaw that universal concepts and ideas need to be re-evaluated. As N.L. Guliyev National Eurasian University and Üsküdar Üniversitesi; we thought it was a burden for the university community, which is an environment where human rights and freedoms are experienced and discussed at the highest level, to remain silent in such a situation. We wanted to make our voice heard not with an individual reaction, but with an institutional consensus, and to express our thoughts with a manifesto.
1/ We resolutely oppose wars blinded by political, ethnic, religious, sectarian, ideological ambitions, and acts of terror and violence originating from any minority or majority.
2/ We strongly condemn the killing of unarmed people, civilians, and children with excessive and disproportionate use of force.
3/ Humanity has reached a level of development in the 21st century where it can solve problems through dialogue. We strongly object to humanity being judged by primitive dogmas.
4/ We hold economic history as a witness that our beautiful blue planet possesses generosity and abundance sufficient to satisfy everyone.
5/ We strongly reject the political “God Complex” that gives rise to greed, insatiability, irresponsibility, and ruthlessness. No one can attribute divinity and sacredness to themselves. Everyone is equal in terms of rights and opportunities.
6/ There is a strong need for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be reread and internalized.
7/ No state should have privileges. If the goal is justice, the method in this era is liberal, participatory, and egalitarian democracy. We emphasize that “Positive Politics” is the solution for humanity.
8/ We propose that the establishment of a “World Parliament” where all world states are equally represented is imperative.
9/ The most important thing that distinguishes civilized societies from uncivilized societies is not using violence as a method of seeking rights and solving problems. We reject the method of violence, which dates from humanity's barbaric era, on principle.
10/ We declare that if we cannot develop an egalitarian policy that takes into account the human rights and values mentioned above, the human species has the potential to destroy itself.
In conclusion, in this day and age when faith in human rights has significantly weakened, the senates of two universities have deemed it appropriate to discuss, sign, and declare this manifesto to all sensitive individuals. In this regard, we are opening our Manifesto for signatures.”
For the "UNIVERSAL HUMAN VALUES AND RIGHTS MANIFESTO":
https://uskudar.edu.tr/manifesto/evrensel-insani-deger-ve-haklar-manifestosu.html