Revisiting the Spirit of the UDHR and Discussing Human Rights Development——Summary of Views from the Seminar Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On December 4,2023,the China Society for Human Rights Studies hosted a seminar in Beijing commemorating the 75^(th) Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Participants discussed topics such as the significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,China’s theories and practices in respecting and safeguarding human rights,the three global initiatives and global human rights governance,human rights protection in the digital age,and telling Chinese stories of human rights in the new era.The discussions led to a broad consensus and achieved positive results.

From the Subjectivity of Human Rights to the Universality of Human Rights——A Preliminary Interpretation of the Theory on the Subjectivity of Human Rights

Universality is one of the essential characteristics of human rights, but there is a substantive difference between idealism and realism in understanding the concept of universality of human rights. The concepts of radical universality and strong universality based on the concept of natural human rights are too idealistic and thus have a high risk of being alienated into a tool of international re-pression in practice. On the contrary, the theory on the subjectivity of human rights can effectively defuse this risk brought about by radical universality and strong universality. Advocating a transition from the universality of human rights to the subjectivity of human rights not only keeps in line with the actual construction process of international human rights, but can also effectively interpret the practical difficul-ties in the realization process of international human rights. Therefore, it can be used as another alternative theory on human rights beyond the theory of natural human rights.

An In-depth Interpretation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights With the Common Values of Humanity As the Research Paradigm

Interpreting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from political,juridical and philosophical perspectives is es-sential for promoting the guiding principles of the Declaration,build-ing consensus on human rights,and advancing human rights practice in the new historical context.To conduct an academic,systematic in-terpretation of the Declaration that conforms to the trends of the times and answers the fundamental questions of the world,it is necessary to find a new research paradigm.The common values of humanity,namely peace,development,equity,justice,democracy and freedom,put forward by Xi Jinping,general secretary of the Communist Party of China(CPC)Central Committee,provide the most explanatory and penetrating scientific paradigm for reaching the issue.This paper an-alyzes and reflects on the views,value foundation and principled(con-tractual)consensus of human rights in the Declaration,and narrates and foresees the far-reaching significance of the three global initia-tives(namely,the Global Development Initiative,the Global Security Initiative,and the Global Civilization Initiative)with the common val-ues of humanity as the soul in advancing the modernization of global human rights governance and building a new form of human rights civilization.

The Accelerated Expansion of the Universe in the Light of the Maximum Ordinality Principle

The main aim of the paper is to present (and at the same time offer) a differ-ent perspective for the analysis of the accelerated expansion of the Universe. A perspective that can surely be considered as being “in parallel” to the tradition-al ones, such as those based, for example, on the hypotheses of “Dark Matter” and “Dark Energy”, or better as a “com-possible” perspective, because it is not understood as being “exclusive”. In fact, it is an approach that, when con-firmed by experimental results, always keeps its validity from an “operative” point of view. This is because, in analogy to the traditional perspectives, on the basis of Popper’s Falsification Principle the corresponding “Generative” Logic on which it is based has not the property of the perfect induction. The basic difference then only consists in the fact that the Evolution of the Universe is now modeled by considering the Universe as a Self-Organizing System, which is thus analyzed in the light of the Maximum Ordinality Principle.

On the Effectiveness of“Cross-cultural Consensus”on Human Rights--Reflecting on Zhang Pengchun’s Contributions to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

In the example of formulating the Universal Declara-tion of Human Rights in 1948,which involved international human rights discourse,the“cross-cultural consensus”put forward based on Confucian culture by Zhang pengchun,the Chinese representative at that time,is widely considered an empirical reference for resolving confrontations and conflicts in the practice of human rights discourse.However,the effectiveness of this kind of cross-cultural consensus in addressing confrontations and conflicts is worth considering.Under the presumption of cultural differences,any attempt to resolve confrontations and conflicts in the human rights discourse must address the inherently controversial issues.the settlement of disputes and differences depends on how deep the consensus involves the values.Based on this,it reveals that the effectiveness of Zhang pengchun’s so-called contribution is limited.therefore,we should not overstate its relevance to the current human rights discourse.

The Principle of Differentiation into Physical and Mathematical Theories

The article formulates the main principle of physics, which underlies this science. This principle has been called by the author of this article the Principle of differentiation into physical and mathematical theories. The article gives examples of the application of this principle in quantum mechanics and cosmology. A more detailed proof of the principle of equivalence of the electromagnetic field and the field of strong interaction to a free material particle is given. This principle, formulated in the article “Electrodynamics in Curvilinear Coordinates and the Equation of a Geodesic Line”, revealed the nature of the mass of elementary particles and became the basis for the formulation of the Principle of differentiation into physical and mathematical theories.

On the “Online and Offline Blended Teaching” Mode for Ideological and Political Theory Courses in Universities—A Case of “Introduction to Basic Principles of Marxism”

With the deepening development of educational informatization, online and offline blended teaching, as a new teaching mode, is increasingly receiving widespread attention from educators [1]. At present, the reform of the “online and offline blended teaching” of ideological and political education courses directly affects the quality of talent cultivation in universities. The article takes the course “Introduction to Basic Principles of Marxism” as an example to explore the reform mode of “online and offline blended teaching” in ideological and political theory courses in universities from the aspects of reasonable allocation of class hours, design of online teaching activities, how to deepen classroom teaching offline, and diversified assessment modes. Furthermore, the article summarizes the experience of mode reform and promotes the deep development of the people-oriented education concept in ideological and political courses in universities, so as to achieve the ultimate goal of moral education in ideological and political education in universities.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the “Spirits” of Confucian Ethics

At present, the value revealed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is under attack, and the consensus on human rights value is experiencing division globally,which asserts that "human rights can only be provided by paradox". The root of this is that" reason ",the metaphysical nature of human rights proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,is infinitely magnified while the " spirit " is ignored. History and philosophy show that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights entails the Confucian ethical " spirit ".At this time,this potential factor is gradually emerging in the course of world history and became a force to bridge the global division of human rights values. The significance of Confucian ethics " spirit " to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lies in: from the perspective of " spirit ", its holistic view, bridging individual rights and collective rights; its relational view focuses on the realization of human rights and transcends the " paradox of human right; progressing from the value consensus to common action, so that in the process of judging the progress of human rights in the world, we consider not only the value consensus, but also the common action.

Human Rights Value Based on the Legislation Principle of the Basic Healthcare and Health Promotion Law

The draft of the Basic Healthcare and Health Promotion Law directly incorporates the concept of the right to health,which will have a positive significance in realizing the constitutional norms of the right to health protection.China’s Constitution stipulates the general policy,concrete duties and specific obligations of the state to protect citizens’ right to health,which is the most fundamental logical starting point of legislative design.The implementation of state obligations requires the legislation to follow the principles as follows:people-centered public welfare,respecting and protecting the principle of citizens’ right to health,equitable access to basic medical and health services and the government responsibility for the purpose of the people’s health.

On the Making and Significance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was the first common commitment of the international community to human rights. It demonstrated the belief and determination of humanity to maintain peace, democracy and human dignity. The process of formulating the Declaration was difficult. But in the spirit of cooperation,countries finally succeeded in reaching a consensus on human rights.The making of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had great value and significance for promoting world peace and development,and it has had a far-reaching impact on the rule of law in international human rights and the development of the human rights legal systems in various countries. A re-examination and analysis of the process of formulating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will help us understand the purposes and objectives of the Declaration and review the great value of the spirit of the Declaration to the world today.

The Neutralization of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the Concept of Human Rights and Its Historical Significance

The concept of human rights was put forward by european and american countries in modern times, which bears a strong european and american cultural influence? but human rights have since experienced a slow process of neutralization? During the drafting process of the universal Declaration of Human Rights from 1947 to 1948, the concept of human rights experienced the neutralization of multiculturalism, making it the Declaration a matrix accepted by various cultures, which thus laid a foundation of consensus for its continued expansion and wide adoption?

From the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to Building a Community with a Shared Future for Human Beings--The Past, Present, and Future of International Human Rights Protection

The UN Charter first of all affirmed the basic concept of international protection of human rights and opened up a broad space for international protection of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is an important document in the development of the international human rights cause. It established a set of international standards for basic human rights, represents the world’s most important consensus on human rights, and contributes greatly to the creation of an international human rights legal system. The important theory put forward by President Xi Jinping to build a Community with a Shared Future for Human Beings, as a Chinese program for today s global major issues, also outlines a new blueprint for national human rights protection and will play a major role in promoting the development of China’s human rights and international human rights protection.

Dignity:the Overlap of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Traditional Chinese Culture

Human dignity is the fundamental concept of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and serves as the theoretical backbone for the international human rights system. Chinese culture has an excellent tradition of treasuring the dignity and value of people. The provisions on dignity in the Declaration can find their historical origins in traditional Chinese culture. The dignity of people has a supreme status and value in traditional Chinese culture. Chinese "etiquette" culture has a long tradition of respecting the dignity of people.Achieving benevolence through etiquette is the basic way to protect human dignity. Etiquette in ancient China was constrained by inequality and historical limitations, but it also had the elements of respecting or honoring others, and had the practical function of respecting, maintaining and achieving human dignity. The effective implementation of etiquette requires the fulfillment of people’s basic needs. Progressing from xiao kang(moderate prosperity) to da tong(great harmony) is the process of approaching the human rights standards of human dignity and equal rights that all nations and all peoples should strive to achieve.

Confucian Liberalism:Convergence Between the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Chinese Traditional Culture

As early as the 18th century,Confucian liberalism of considering others in one s own place was integrated into the provisions of freedom of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.In 1948,the Confucian idea of benevolence and other liberalism had an important influence on the drafting and content of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.The fulcrum of Confucian liberalism is self-discipline based on benevolence.The code of conduct created by Confucianism of"What you do not want done to yourself,do not do to others"has the social effect of safeguarding people’s negative freedom;the code of conduct of"while establishing himself and pursuing success,also works to establish others and enable them to succeed as well"has the social effect of safeguarding people s positive freedom.Confucian liberalism is social-oriented,which adheres to the unity of everyone’s freedom with the freedom of others,and the idea that individual freedom lies in the overall freedom of the social community.It is based on the conscience(benevolence)of the way of considering others in one’s own place and the practical path from the obligation to rights and freedoms are prominent features of traditional Chinese culture.It is consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’provision that everyone has duties to the community,and is similar to Marx’s philosophy that"the free development of every human being is the condition of the free development of all human beings",and is a unique system of liberal discourse that is different from Western liberalism.

Relative Universality of Human Rights: Theory and Practice

Introduction After the birth of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights （UDHR）, ＂universal human rights＂ became a novel formal legal term both in the field of jurisprudence and in the international community. The notion of ＂universal human rights＂ indicates the ideal of ＂all human rights for all.＂ As the provision in Article 2 of the UDHR stated： ＂Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, politi cal or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.＂ However, some nonWestern govern ment officials and intellectuals have expressed doubts about the justifi ability of the term, which seems only to be a reflection of unique Western culture rather than Asian or Arabian ones. At the Vienna World Human Rights Conference, many heads of state said that universal human rights cannot be compatible with nonWest em culture. Even Lee Kuan Yew, the former leader of Singapore, declared in 1996： ＂Asian values are universal values. European values are European values.＇＇~ This statement is obviously a rejection of the idea that human rights are universal. In contrast, universal rights extremists and human rights activists and NGOs, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, try to propagandize unified international human rights standards and international human rights re gimes. The debate continues from the diplomatic field to the academic field. But, in the foreseeable future,

Safeguarding Farmer Workers' Rights and Interests——An interview with Ye Jingyi, professor of Beijing University Law School

Farmer workers are a new powerful workforce that has sprung up amid China＇s reform and door opening and in the process of the country＇s industrialization and urbanization. They have made great contributions to urban prosperity, rural development and their country＇s modernization. At present, however, farmer workers face numerous difficulties and problems in income, work safety, social security, vocational training, the schooling of their children and living conditions. To safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of farmer workers, the State Council in March 2006 issued Ideas of the State Council on Solving Farmer Workers-related Problems. In the document, the State Council promises to strengthen and improve leadership over work regarding farmer workers and prioritize the solving of farmer workers-related problems.

Appropriate Attitude and Principle for Strengthening Human Rights Protection——Speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Sino-German Human Rights Symposium, July 13, 2014

Since 1999, there have been 11 Sino-German Human Rights symposiums. Due to the concept of peace and development and the principle of dialogue through consultation, non- confrontation and pragmatism with equality, which have been upheld by organizers, such symposiums have made great achievements. The dialogue mechanism for human rights topics between China and Germany has helped construct a common, accessible and interactive platform for pushing forward human rights legal advancement in both countries, which has brought about a positive influence on the develop- ment of the human rights cause in the two countries. Strengthening legal construction and ensuring hu- man rights are not only the shared aspiration of all the people in the world, but also the irreversible his- torical trend of human civilization. The symposium, with the theme of international law and human rights protection, encourages participants to discuss and share theories and practices in human rights studies, which makes a significant contribu- tion to enriching the modern human rights concept and building a new type of international cooperation. The international community always pays great attention to the relation- ship between human rights and legal governance. China always abides by international human rights con- ventions including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which set up fundamental principles for promoting and ensuring human rights, and has endorsed 26 inter- national human rights conventions such as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Meanwhile, China, through legislation, jurisdiction and admin- istration, brings into full play the active role of international human rights conventions in ensuring hu- man rights in the country.

Human Rights and Cultural Diversity: Evolving Dynamics of Universality and Relativism——Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being～Khalil Gibran

1. Introduction Culture is a defining feature of an individual＇s identity. It embraces everything from the traditions, beliefs and values of an individual＇s family and community. It is also the language one speaks, and place of worship. Culture is all of these elements and the way they connect to make up one＇s way of life. It is often the source for serf-definition, expression, and sense of group belonging.

Study on the Rights to Subsistence and Development with Reference to the Origin of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

I.The History of the Drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:the Position and Role of the UN Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly of the United Nations should not be Ignored The reason for me to use the term "source"in the discussion on the right to subsistence

Improve Labor Contract System, Safeguard Lawful Rights and Interests of Laborers——An interview with Prof. Guan Huai of Law School of Renmin University of China

EDITOR＇S NOTE： The Draft Labor Contract Law of the People＇s Republic of China has been completed and was published for soliciting comments on March 20. In a short period of one month, 191,849 pieces of comments and opinions were received. Prior to the promulgation of the law, this reporter interviewed Mr. Guan Huai, a noted Chinese expert in labor law, professor of the Law School of the Renmin University of China and law advisor to the All-China Federation of Trade Unions.