What’s Happening in the UNA-OC Human Rights Organization?
At UNA-OC, we are dedicated to promoting human rights through education, awareness, and encouraging action. Our goal is to help create a world of informed and responsible global citizens who understand the importance of human rights and actively work to protect them.
Why This Matters
We often hear about human rights in the news, but how well do we truly understand them? Why is it so important to know what our rights are? If we don’t know, how can we protect them for ourselves and others?
That’s why we start with the basics, raising awareness about human rights as the foundation of dignity, equality, and justice for all. They shape our lives and impact our quality of life every day. Imagine a community where everyone knows their rights and responsibilities; in such a place, people confidently stand against injustice, support each other, and contribute to civic life. This is our vision.
Through our programs, we build awareness and engagement that creates positive change. Every post, story, and initiative is a step toward this goal. When people are informed, they can take action; when they act, they inspire others to do the same.
Content and Programs
All our programs are shared regularly on our Instagram and Facebook platforms, making it easy for our followers to stay connected and engaged.
New Visual Update – Color Coding Introduced in October 2024
To help followers easily recognize the purpose of each post, we introduced a color-coded system in October 2024. Each color reflects the tone and goal of the content:
• Dark Blue for #UNAOCCHumanRightsUpdates: Signifies seriousness and responsibility.
• Light Blue for single educational posts as part of #UNAOCCHumanRightsWednesdays: Represents peace and openness for learning.
• Green for #UNAOCCHonorsIntlDays: Symbolizes growth and sustainability, aligning with international observances.
1. Human Rights Wednesdays
Hashtag: #UNAOCCHumanRightsWednesdays
Color Coding: Light Blue for single posts; each series has its own flyer color.
Why: Light blue conveys calmness and openness, which fit the educational tone.
Since the beginning, our flyer color system for series posts has made it easy for followers to track each series.
Every Wednesday on Instagram and Facebook, we share posts that break down the basics of human rights. Currently, we focus on Foundation Knowledge, covering essential UN documents, key international bodies, and human rights areas.
Our content is organized into series:
• Series 1 (Light Blue): Decoding Human Rights – covering foundational definitions and bodies.
• Series 2 (Aqua Blue): Civil and Political Rights – exploring ICCPR and 2024 rights trends.
• Series 3 (Orange): Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights – discussing ICESCR and the Committee’s role.
• Series 4 (Red): Human Rights and SDGs – highlighting the relationship between human rights and the SDGs.
2. Real World Updates
Hashtag: #UNAOCCHumanRightsUpdate
Color Coding: Dark Blue
Why: Dark blue represents the serious nature of real-world human rights challenges.
This program focuses on current human rights news worldwide, connecting our audience to the real impact of these issues. We share:
• Key updates on recent developments.
• Examples of successful initiatives to inspire.
• Challenges and educational context to help followers understand the bigger picture.
3. UN International Days
Hashtag: #UNAOCCHonorsIntlDays
Color Coding: Green
Why: Green aligns with themes of growth, unity, and sustainability that mark these global observances.
For UN International Days, we celebrate and raise awareness of important observances like Human Rights Day. Our posts and clips explain:
• The significance of each day and what it represents.
• The current situation and ways people can get involved in making a difference.
4. Internship Program
Our Internship Program offers students a chance to work directly with us on human rights advocacy projects. Students from Chapman, UCI, Soka and other universities gain hands-on experience, helping us with campaigns, creating content, and working on special projects like the Mother Earth Day clip we shared on Instagram and Facebook.
If you’re passionate about human rights and want to get involved with projects like these, reach out—we’re always looking for collaborators!
Impact
By providing clear, accessible information, UNA-OC Human Rights empowers individuals to take action, confront injustice, and inspire others. Our work shows that human rights are not just abstract principles—they’re the foundation for a better life and a more equitable world. Through our programs, we are building the next generation of human rights defenders—young leaders who will shape a world where equality, freedom, and justice are lived by all.
Integrating Human Rights and the SDGs
Human rights and the SDGs are closely connected. The 2030 Agenda aims to uphold human rights for all, with a commitment to equality and non-discrimination. By integrating human rights into our initiatives, we help make sure no one is left behind. As we reflect on the work of the United Nations, we are reminded that over 90% of the SDGs are directly tied to human rights. Advancing one means advancing both. What we do locally is part of a global movement—a movement for a world where dignity, equality, and justice are the birthright of all people.
Contact Us
For questions, collaboration, or to learn more about our programs, reach out to:
Sara Balkh, PhD
Human Rights Ambassador
sarabalkh@una-oc.org