Who are Idealists?
Idealists are the change makers throughout history. They are forward looking and optimistic. They envision something greater, something better and then work tirelessly to make their vision a reality. Idealists stand resolute in the face of great adversity and persevere because they believe strongly in their ideals. While critics sometimes dismiss idealists as being irrational or unrealistic, oftentimes their ideals, although once believed to be unfounded, become our norms.
What We Believe:
Idealists United believes that in order to foster a society where we promote, protect and defend Human Rights, everyday people must be educated about Human Rights and steadfastly fight to ensure that those rights are protected. We need to move towards creating a society where people are more aware of the world they live in and wholeheartedly embrace the ideals of Human Rights for all. It is only when the significance and value of these rights is realized by the majority that we will be able to leverage world leaders to ensure that the rights of all are respected. Until we can do that, Human Rights will remain at the backburner of world politics.
In order to accomplish this, Idealists United seeks to mainstream Human Rights education, awareness, and action throughout society to the point where the promotion, protection and defense of Human Rights will be viewed as a societal norm.
Education as Prevention:
Oftentimes, to instigate or fuel a conflict, divisive and hate ridden propaganda is used to divide a population. Creating a state of “us” and “them” further accentuates this divide. It is easier to convince individuals to participate in or support state sponsored terrorism, genocide or other crimes against humanity and mass atrocities when you can dehumanize “the other.” Just as this troublesome bigotry is taught and learned, the opposite can be equally true.
Idealists United aims at counteracting such hateful teachings by spreading the ideals of Human Rights and human worth. If individuals accept and believe in the idea that everyone is and should be treated equally, that we all have value, and the rights we are afforded should be respected, we are taking the first steps to eradicating some of the worst crimes against humanity and violations of Human Rights.
Our Mission:
Idealists United’s mission is to inspire and sustain a unified movement which, through education and awareness, will promote the acceptance of and belief in the ideals of Human Rights and human worth. Further, Idealists United trains and motivates individuals to take action in an effort to improve responses to Human Rights violations around the world.
Our Inspiration:
If we look back at our history there was a time when it was acceptable to treat African Americans as less than human and to deny women the right to vote. That was the norm. What changed? Movements, lead by idealists, pushed society to change their collective opinion. The abolitionist, women’s suffrage, and civil rights movements changed what society considered the norm. They worked from the ground up to change society’s opinion on slavery, women’s right to vote, and equal rights, forever. We believe it is time, that the concept that all people are entitled to a basic set of rights simply because they are human, becomes an accepted part of society and Idealists United seeks to inspire and support the movement that will make it happen.
