Celebration of the International Human Rights Day

Within the framework of its academic and community mission, and as part of Mansoura National University’s ongoing commitment to consolidating the principles of justice and human dignity, the University’s Human Rights Unit organized a celebration on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day, on the morning of Monday, December 15. The event was held under the patronage of Professor Dr. Sherif Khater, President of the University and Chairman of the Board of the University’s Human Rights Unit, and the leadership of Professor Dr. Raefa Refaat Allam, Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Executive Director of the Unit. The celebration was attended by a distinguished group of academic leaders, specialists, and experts in the fields of human rights and community work, as well as deans of faculties and program directors. Attendees also included Dr. Hala Abdel Razek, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Solidarity in Dakahlia Governorate; Mr. Ahmed Mohsen, media representative at the Ministry of Higher Education; Mr. Reda Ali, Director of Public Relations at the Directorate of Social Solidarity; in addition to a large number of faculty members, teaching assistants, and students from various faculties of the University.

The celebration commenced with opening remarks emphasizing the significance of commemorating the International Human Rights Day as a global occasion that renews commitment to shared human values, enhances awareness of rights and duties, and reinforces the principles of citizenship and the rule of law.

The event included a series of seminars, beginning with a session entitled “Dignity, Justice, and Equality: Foundations for Building a New Republic that Promotes Peace and Tolerance,” delivered by Professor Dr. Rasha Al-Din Ali, Head of the Department of Private International Law at the Faculty of Law, Mansoura University, and a member of the Legislative Committee of the National Council for Women. The seminar addressed the concept of human dignity from a legal and constitutional perspective, highlighting legislative and constitutional guarantees for the protection of human dignity and the role of the state and educational institutions in safeguarding fundamental rights. It also discussed ways to entrench the principles of justice and equality within society, promote peaceful coexistence, reject violence, and foster a culture of tolerance and acceptance of others, underscoring the importance of community awareness and the dissemination of peace as a cornerstone of a stable and balanced society.

Another seminar entitled “Your Rights Are Your Responsibility” was delivered by Professor Dr. Mohamed Yehia Ghaida, Secretary-General of the Leaders Foundation. The seminar focused on the complementary relationship between rights and duties within the framework of the Constitution and the law, stressing that awareness of social responsibilities is the foundation for the proper exercise of rights and for building a citizen capable of contributing positively to community development.

The activities also featured a seminar entitled “Community Communication with Persons with Disabilities: A Duty and a Responsibility,” presented by Dr. Aya Tharwat, Researcher in Curricula and Methods of Education for Children with Special Needs (Hearing Impairment Specialization). She emphasized the importance of integrating and empowering persons with disabilities within society and the necessity of creating supportive educational and community environments that ensure their active participation and promote the principle of equal opportunities.

For her part, Professor Dr. Raefa Refaat Allam affirmed that celebrating the International Human Rights Day stems from Mansoura National University’s deep belief in the importance of embedding a human rights culture within the university community, as one of the fundamental pillars for building an aware and responsible individual. She added that the University’s Human Rights Unit operates according to an integrated vision aimed at raising awareness of rights and duties and promoting the values of human dignity, tolerance, and acceptance of others through organizing scientific and awareness activities and integrating human rights concepts into educational and community-based initiatives.

She further noted that the University is keen to prepare student cadres capable of exercising their rights within a framework of social responsibility and the rule of law, emphasizing that the University leadership’s support for this file reflects its commitment to its national role in building a society based on justice, equality, and respect for human dignity.

This celebration comes as part of Mansoura National University’s strategy to disseminate a culture of human rights, strengthen the values of citizenship and belonging, and build enlightened student awareness, in line with the Egyptian state’s directions toward consolidating the rule of law and respecting human rights.