Celebrate 66th Anniversary of Human Rights Declaration

The community is invited to join Mayor Bogaard and the Pasadena Chapter of the United Nations Association on International Human Rights Day to commemorate the 66th anniversary of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2014, at the Pasadena Central Library, Donald R. Wright Auditorium, 285 E. Walnut St.

Each year during International Human Rights Day, Pasadena joins communities around the world to celebrate the U.N. General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Dec. 10, 1948. This year’s celebration features a special video presentation, lecture and exhibits centered on the 2015 U.N. theme “International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies.”

The event will begin with opening remarks by Mayor Bogaard, followed by a short film on low-tech solar lighting and a reading of “We Are All Born Free: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures.”

The celebration is free to the public, and refreshments will be provided. Guests can visit exhibits by One Fridge off the Grid and Pasadena Water and Power.

“As the international community tackles the challenge of global climate change, there has been an increased focus on conservation and using renewable and alternative energy sources,” said Mayor Bogaard. “Pasadena’s ongoing commitment to attaining greater energy efficiency mirrors the U.N.’s 2015 theme of light and light-based technologies.”

This year’s featured speaker is award-winning scientist and sustainability expert Elena Christopoulos. Christopoulos is a member of the American Hellenic Council California Board of Directors, advisor to the Green Chamber of Commerce and technical and consular advisor for energy think tank E3NYC. In 2000, Christopoulos implemented the first urban wind turbine in North America, located in Toronto. She also brought the first urban wind turbine to Southern California for the Los Angeles Community College District as part of a $6 billion bond program. Christopoulos attended Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada.

Free parking is available at the Central Library parking lot. For Pasadena ARTS bus and other transit schedules, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/artsbus. For more information, contact Rhonda Stone, Field Representative to the Mayor, at (626) 744-7147.

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