"The claims of human rights make demands on all of us, and the realization of such rights in practice will require the development and maintenance of a 'culture of human rights.' These are tasks to which each of us can contribute, no matter our location, circumstances, or background. Opportunities are many; the challenge is to make the demanding move from spectator to participant in the global struggle for human dignity. By way of conclusion, we offer the following ten suggestions for effective action:
1. "Think globally. Ours is an increasingly interconnected world; what happens in one part of it affects people in other parts. Get informed: educate yourself about what is going on in other countries, as well as in your own. The denial of human rights anywhere is a scandal everywhere.
2. "Act locally. Start where you are, as this is where you are likely to be most effective. Ask tough questions. What impact do the choices made by elected officials in your country (and ultimately by you as a voter) have in other (perhaps poorer) countries? How do you spend and invest your money? Where do your food and clothes come from?
3. "Try to avoid the arrogance of cultural or national imperialism. Human rights advocacy is often most effective and its results most enduring when it is initiated from within the culture in question. Efforts by outsiders to effect cultural change, however well meaning, are seldom as well received.
4. "Work in partnership with others. Remember that you are not alone. Apart from the necessary political and diplomatic activity of governments, much human rights work continues to be achieved through the efforts of humanitarian organizations and advocacy networks. Join (or start) a human rights group on your campus, at your church, or in your neighborhood. Help raise awareness about human rights issues within your community.
5. "Have faith that human rights action does make a difference. Faith in the efficacy of human rights action can also entail keeping faith with the traditions in which we stand — recognizing their potential for affirming universal human dignity, even as we acknowledge and attempt to address their many inadequacies. For Christians, moreover, faith in human rights can be rooted in faith in God's self-giving love for humanity.
6. "Keep hope alive. When we are faced with great suffering and horrendous evils, it is tempting to succumb to resignation, cynicism, and despair. Take courage from the example of others, and cultivate the virtue of hope (as distinct from naive optimism).
7. "Practice peace and reconciliation. Don't become embittered by the world's evils. Support those who are victimized, but don't demonize oppressors or confuse vengeance with justice.
8. "Make the most of the available resources, including the moral and intellectual resources of your (religious) tradition.
9. "Persevere. Projects without adequate planning, resources, and willpower almost inevitably fail and may leave the problems they were meant to address in a much worse state than before. This applies to large-scale political interventions and small-scale endeavors alike.
10. "Focus on what matters most. Don't become so preoccupied with any particular goal, strategy, or theory that you neglect the needs of the individuals it is meant to benefit."
