HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA, Annual Report 2018 EDUCATION AND OUTREACH 5.1. Public awareness raising As mandated by Section 10 of the parent Act, the Commission strives to actively engage in raising public awareness and sensitivity on issues of human rights. The Commission considers the public an integral part of their work as the very purpose for its existence is to promote and protect the human rights of the citizenry. Therefore, the year 2018 is marked by many important events in realizing this objective. 5.1.1. Celebration of International Commemorative Days ▪ International Human Rights Day – 2018 An event organized by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) was held on 10 December, 2018 at Bandaranayaka International Conference Hall. 10 December is the International Human Rights Day, which was designated in honour of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the UDHR on that day. The chief guest of the event was Ms. Hanaa Singer, Resident Coordinator of United Nations in Sri Lanka and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Population Fund. The event, themed “The World Made Anew – the UDHR in Our Lives: Child and Youth Reflections” had a special focus on youth and Children. The importance of the UDHR in guaranteeing the rights for all persons irrespective of differences was successfully conveyed to the audience through a series of presentations and a variety of cultural performances. 73

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