60 Signers for the UDHR

"60 Signers for the 60th Anniversary" Initiative
for the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The '60 Signers for the 60th Anniversary' Initiative was launched by Max Dana to support the Every Human Has Rights campaign, which aimed to celebrate the 60-year anniversary of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2008.

Max Dana, an artist and philanthropist, is the founder of the MagkaSama Project. She has a longstanding interest in international affairs and is a staunch supporter of Human Rights. Known for her media shyness and preference for a low profile, Max allows her creative arts activities to speak for themselves. However, to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Max offered her support to the Every Human Has Rights Campaign organized by The Elders. This group consists of distinguished leaders such as Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter, Graça Machel, Nelson Mandela, Mary Robinson and Desmond Tutu. The concept for The Elders was originally conceived by British musician Peter Gabriel and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1999.


Max Dana created an original artwork for this special occasion. Over the course of several months, she met with representatives from sixty prominent organizations around the world, including Amnesty International, UNICEF, UNHCR, Human Rights Watch, FIDH, Reporters without Borders, OMCT, and UNESCO. She also met with Ambassador Stéphane Hessel, a participant in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, and François Zimeray, the French Ambassador for Human Rights.

In addition, Max engaged with volunteers, individuals supporting organizations, and dedicated individuals such as aid workers, doctors, and Human Rights lawyers. She also had the opportunity to meet the 30 winners of the Internews Every Human Has Rights Media Awards. All of these individuals enthusiastically supported Max's initiative and signed the original artwork she created to honor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Initiative achieved tremendous success, garnering significant interest and active support from organizations and individuals alike. It contributed to raising awareness of Human Rights on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Geneviève Garrigos, President of Amnesty International France and partner of the Every Human Has Rights campaign declared:

By marking human rights on every inch of the globe she drew, even on the most remote places in the world, Max Dana enforces the universality of the Declaration of Human Rights on its 60th anniversary.

Katy Cronin, Communications Director, The Elders added:

I am very grateful to Max Dana for her creative and inspiring support for The Elders and the Every Human Has Rights campaign. This artwork is a wonderful reminder that any committed individual can take action to change the world for the better. Thank you Max! And don’t stop now!

Jean-François Julliard, Secretary general, Reporters without Borders - RWB/RSF said:

It is a great initiative and an orignal and creative way to raise awareness on human rights. The universality of Human Rights shouldn't restrain to signers on a map, all the people who signed this art piece should now act and defend Human Rights the best they can.

The artwork was handed over to Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General and CEO of CIVICUS, in the presence of Katy Cronin, Communications Director of The Elders, in April 2009 in London. A month later, the original artwork arrived at CIVICUS headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Signers of the Initiative

Organizations and Officials who signed Max Dana's Artwork

Thank you to these prestigious organizations and to all the other great, committed people for supporting this initiative and for promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights!

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