On September 20, 2018, The Catholic University of America hosted a timely conversation marking the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The event featured renowned legal philosopher Robert P. George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University and former Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. He was joined by William Saunders, Director of the Program in Human Rights at Catholic University’s Institute for Human Ecology.

Together, George and Saunders reflected on the enduring significance of the Universal Declaration as a foundational document in the international human rights movement. Drafted in the aftermath of the Second World War, the Declaration represented the world’s shared resolve to defend human dignity and prevent future atrocities. At the heart of that vision, they noted, was a commitment to religious freedom as an essential and universal human right.

The speakers addressed both the philosophical foundations and the practical implications of the Declaration’s principles, exploring the relationship between natural law, conscience, and the moral obligations of governments. They also examined current threats to human rights—especially religious liberty—around the world, and the challenges of upholding universal principles amid political and cultural turbulence.

Attendees were invited to consider how the ideals articulated in 1948 continue to inform public discourse today. The event served as a fitting tribute to a landmark in human rights history and reaffirmed Catholic University’s dedication to cultivating thoughtful, morally grounded leaders who are equipped to defend the dignity of the human person in every age.