The Right to a Just and Peaceful Social and International Order

Article 28 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights calls for the establishment of a "social and international order" in which the rights guaranteed by the UDHR "can be fully realized." The social and international order that will be needed for this purpose must be a just and peaceful one. Justice requires equitable economic development and equitable distribution of its benefits; development policies that avoid destruction of the environment; and international respect for the rule of law. Peace requires economic and social justice; abolition of weapons of mass destruction; sharply restricted transfer and use of conventional weapons; and vastly expanded support of nonviolent conflict resolution by the United Nations and other relevant institutions. Health workers, as influential members of civil society, have an important role to play in these efforts.