In a few months (is the year’s end already in sight?) we’ll mark the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I was fortunate to participate in the commemoration of the 60th anniversary and to meet individuals who had been involved in drafting, protecting and promoting this master work of humanity from its inception through its existence. 

At one of those events in Paris in December 2008, President Jimmy Carter had the task of handing out awards to young people who had won a global contest to make films on human rights. The young African American who came up to receive his award, fresh from the election of Barack Obama, the first black President of the USA, just a month earlier, gushed that he was delighted to receive the award from his second favourite US President. The audience gasped at the faux pas. President Carter laughed out loud and vigorously shook the young man’s hand, putting him at ease.

That modesty and grace pervades stories of Carter’s life. He has suffered underestimation, marginalisation and vilification for decades. His work as a global champion for human rights, especially of those whose causes are unpopular, has largely been ignored, despite the Nobel Peace Prize, as has his pioneering support for environmental action. With his 100th birthday a few weeks away, his family say that he is finally preparing to end his indefatigable efforts. His dignity, grace and courage will, I hope, never be forgotten.