Lesson 1c

Human rights are not a "new idea". In Ancient Persia, as early as 6th century BC, King Cyrus recorded his conquests on the "Cyrus Cylinder", but he also recorded the tolerant way he treated people afterwards. He would even rebuild the religious temples of groups of people whom he had conquered. Other early civilizations had their own laws and practises that showed a deocratic attitude - I found King Cyrus' the most interesting.

By learning about the laws and ways of the past, I think that we can build a future that builds on the positive aspects and fixes the problems. If all countries had kings who believed so greatly in human rights, all countries could have a democratic government - not just the developed ones.

But our countries and governments are trying to make a difference. Oral and written documents such as the Universal declaration of Human Rights or the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms work towards a free, democratic future for all.

In response to the question "To what extent should I, as a citizen, respond to globalization?", in this area, I believe that we can look at the flaws and successes of the past, and continue their legacies in our everyday lives. Though we aren't part of the government, and therefore we can't pass laws or change any major aspects of life, we can be just and fair to one another, and hope that treatment like that will spread.