My Responsibility 

   “Uniting in Responsibilities in a Culture of Rights
		Locating Possibilities”

	  “If we all discharge our duties,
 	   rights will not be far to seek.”
				M.K. Gandhi
The world has come a long way in the international recognition and protection of Human Rights, since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted by the United Nations in 1948. The UDHR was a response to widespread outrage after the Holocaust and other crimes of that time. Those who drafted the UDHR drew from ethical principles of the world’s religions, as well as from socialist, liberal and other secular thinking. They wanted the Declaration to reflect standards that are common to cultures and traditions all over the world. The main approach of the UDHR is to define the rights of individuals, and to make fulfilment of those rights a responsibility of governmental authorities. Linked to every right is a State obligation. The fact that the standards are addressed to Governments is crucial for the whole Human Rights architecture that started with the Universal Declaration. In recent years, however, an argument has emerged that too little attention has been given to individual duties and responsibilities. It is not hard to see the logic of this argument. A dangerous by-product of the Welfare State and the growth of government is a profound attitudinal change in society which makes people demand more and more and contribute less and less. This transformation of the social psyche has taken place so imperceptibly that it has unconsciously pervaded entire societies and cultures. The preoccupation with rights (particularly state-created civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights) has become an obsession. Although this is not an intrinsic evil, the pursuit of rights becomes self-defeating when it is not accompanied by the commitment to duties. To make matters worse, the more orderly and peaceful world that was to follow the end of the Cold War has not materialized. Instead, uncertainty seems to predominate everywhere: conflict is spreading across the world; political and economic systems are facing newer and complex challenges; and reductionist science is rapidly changing human civilization. The relationship between Rights and Duties is not a new question; it has engaged the attention of legal and moral philosophers since time immemorial. The questions they raised have eternal significance: When do the needs of the community take precedence over the rights of the individual? How should the claims of the individual (on the basis of his or her inherent rights) be reconciled with the claims of the State, of the community and of other individuals (on the basis of shared community values and interests)? The concept of Human Duties and Responsibilities serves to balance the notions of freedom and responsibility. While rights relate more to freedom, duties and obligations are associated with responsibility. Despite this distinction, freedom and responsibility are interdependent. Responsibility, as a moral quality, serves a natural, voluntary check for freedom. In any society, freedom can never be exercised without limits. Thus, the more freedom we enjoy, the greater the responsibility we bear towards others, as well as ourselves. The more talents we possess, the bigger the responsibility we have, to develop them to their fullest capacity. We must move away from the freedom of indifference towards the freedom of involvement. Throughout history, prophets, saints and sages have implored mankind to take its responsibilities seriously. Mahatma Gandhi, for example, preached on the seven social sins:
  • Politics without principles.
  • Commerce without morality.
  • Wealth without work.
  • Education without character.
  • Science without humanity.
  • Pleasure without conscience.
  • Worship without sacrifice.
Because Rights and Duties are inextricably linked, the idea of a Human Right only makes sense if we acknowledge the duty of all people to respect it. Regardless of a particular society’s values, human relations are universally based on the existence of both Rights and Duties. Is there need for a complex system of ethics to guide human action? Not necessarily so. There is one ancient rule that, if truly followed, would ensure just human relations: the Golden Rule. In its negative form, the Golden Rule mandates that we not do to others what we do not wish to be done to us. The positive form implies a more active role: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Bearing in mind the Golden Rule, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides an ideal starting point from which to consider some of the main obligations which are a necessary complement to those rights:
  • If we have a Right to Life, then we have the obligation to respect life.
  • If we have a Right to Liberty, then we have the obligation to respect other people’s liberty.
  • If we have a Right to Security, then we have the obligation to create the conditions for every human being to enjoy security.
  • If we have a Right to partake in our country’s political process and elect our leaders, then we have the obligation to participate and ensure that the best leaders are chosen.
  • If we have a Right to Work under just and favourable conditions and to provide a decent standard of living for ourselves and our families, we also have the obligation to perform to the best of our capacities.
  • If we have a Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion, we also have the obligation to respect other’s thoughts or religious principles.
  • If we have a Right to be Educated, then we have the obligation to share our knowledge and experience with others.
  • If we have a Right to Benefit from the Earth’s Bounty, then we have the obligation to respect, care for and restore the Earth and its natural resources.
Globalization of the world is matched by global problems, and global problems demand global solutions on the basis of ideas, values and norms respected by all cultures and societies. Recognition of the equal and inalienable rights of all peoples requires a foundation of freedom, justice and peace – but this also demands that Rights and Responsibilities be given equal importance to establish an ethical base, so that all people can live peacefully together and fulfil their potential. A better social and cultural order, both nationally and internationally cannot be achieved by laws, prescriptions and conventions alone, but needs a Global Ethic. Human aspirations for progress can only be realized by agreed values and standards applying to all people and institutions at all times.
The Centre for Gandhian Studies of Bangalore University, in collaboration with the South Asia Charter Facilitation Committee of Alliance for a Responsible, Plural and United World, supported by the Charles Leopold Mayer Foundation of Paris (which has already launched a Charter of Human Responsibilities in 2001 at the World Assembly of Citizens) would like to initiate a South Asian dialogue to take a closer look at the issues raised above, and to explore the possibility of drafting an Indian Charter of Human Responsibilities, as a prelude to the drafting of a South Asian Charter at a later point of time. A three-day residential workshop is contemplated, in the sylvan surroundings of the School of Ancient Wisdom, off Bellary Road, Bangalore, situated close to the new Bangalore International Airport.
We have great pleasure in inviting you to participate in the three-day Residential Workshop being convened at the School of Ancient Wisdom, Bangalore, from 4th to 6th April 2008. We request you to kindly prepare a two-page Discussion Paper on either of the two themes mentioned above, and e.mail it to:

Dr. D. Jeevan Kumar at jeeves0607@yahoo.com - with a copy to Ms. Sudha, S., at sudha179@gmail.com
on or before 15th March 2008.
A line in reply acknowledging this mail, and confirming your participation and commitment to writing a two-page Discussion Paper, would be much appreciated. It would be our pleasure to reimburse your Three-Tier A/C train tickets to Bangalore and back. If you are a resident of Bangalore, we will arrange to pick you up from your residence on Day 1, and drop you back on Day 3, of the workshop.
We look forward to hearing from you, With warm regards, Yours sincerely, 
D. Jeevan Kumar					
Director, Centre for Gandhian Studies
Bangalore University
Bangalore-560056                 
Karnataka                           
India

Sudha, S.
South Asia Coordinator,
The Charter of Human Responsibilities,
Solidarity for Harmony ,  Awareness,
Responsibility & Empowerment,
(SHARE),
Bangalore – 560032,
Karnataka, India.
Solidarity for Harmony,
Awareness, Responsibility
& Empowerment
(SHARE) India