Human Responsibility Day

In 2021 the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine  established the All-Ukrainian Human Responsibility Day, which will be celebrated annually on October 19 on the birthday of Bohdan Hawrylyshyn, world-known Ukrainian, the author of the Declaration of Human Responsibilities.

On July 16 2021, 308 people’s deputies of Ukraine voted for the decision.

«For the last two years, I personally do not remember a time when a resolution was voted for by all factions of the Verkhova Rada. There were 308 votes in favor of this resolution. In this, our Ukrainian parliament has shown that it has a responsibility to the people, and a responsibility to Bohdan Dmytrovych Hawrylyshyn», — Dmytro Lubinets, a People’s Deputy of Ukraine and a graduate of the “Young Generation will Change Ukraine” program.

What is the goal of the Human Responsibility Day? 

National Human Responsibility Day is the national day in Ukraine, wich is celebrated annually on October 19 since 2021.  The initiative of the establishment of this day on the national lebel belongs to the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation. The goal of the day is to spread responsible behavior in the society to reach rapid positive change at the national level and beyond, as well as to commemorate the great Ukrainian Dr. Bohdan Hawrylyshyn.

What is the history of the Human Responsibility Day?

Being a Member of the Board of Trustees of the World Academy of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Bohdan Hawrylyshyn concluded in early 2010s that one of the prerequisites for the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948, was the awareness and acceptance of individual responsibility at all levels. In 2014, the professor created a meaningful and concise document, “The Declaration of Human Responsibilities”. It contained 15 points that reflected different levels of responsibility, from personal to national and global ones. These points can serve as a guide to establish a more democratic, inclusive and efficient society.

Ukraine has become the first country in the world to adopted the Human Responsibility Day as a national holiday. From 2022, the team of the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation together with partners will initiate the process of establishing of the International Human Responsibility Day.

How it was celebrated in 2021?

On October 19, friends and partners of the Foundation gathered at Ukrainian House in Kyiv on the occasion of Human Responsibility Day and the 95th anniversary of Bohdan Hawrylyshyn’s birth. We celebrated with music, speeches, and memories of Bohdan Dmytrovych, with discussion about responsibility through action and the basic principles enshrined in the Declaration of Human Responsibilities. It was an opportunity to celebrate what we’ve achieved and announce new plans. In the Foundation we have also announced the start of the special annual prize — the Responsibility Award.

Read more about the Human Responsibility Day in 2021.

Let’s do small and big steps to inspire each other to take responsible actions and keep the fire of positive changes!

It is important to remember that every day is a day of responsibility! May October 19th be the day of the year when you praise yourself for every manifestation of your personal responsibility.