TheCommunity.com has launched a two year campaign to raise awareness on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — the UDHR.

Drafted in 1948 and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, the UDHR outlines 30 fundamental human rights. It says that these rights form the very foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

Spearheaded by Nobel Laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu and President Jose Ramos-Horta, 15 human rights and peace building organizations, and more than 30 artists, athletes and activists have come together to keep that fire burning.

The first phase of the campaign has been launched with 80 billboards in Southern California.

THE PHOTOS
More than 30 artists, athletes and activists came together to stand up for the articles of the UDHR — literally. Photographed by fashion photographer Zoe Zimmer holding cards of the articles, the diverse group included musicians Peter Gabriel and Joel Madden, Actors Anne Archer, Keith Carradine, and Priscilla Presley, LA Lakers Andrew Bynum, Luke Walton, Josh Forham, whistleblower and author of The Pentagon Papers Daniel Ellsberg, voice of Bart Simpson Nancy Cartwright, and others. The group is expanding as more are coming on.

The photos have been compiled in an online booklet about the Universal Declaration, which will expand to include actions everyone can take to support the organizations keeping these rights alive.

To see the photos and read the UDHR click here.

BILLBOARDS!
The first phase of the campaign includes billboards around Southern California, generously donation by Clear Channel.

The billboards are currently in rotation in 80 electronic billboards in the Los Angeles area, with print billboards coming in the next weeks.

Organizations participating in the campaign and the launch include Amnesty International, the UN Foundation, CARE, the One Campaign, Aid Still Required, Artists for Human Rights, ACLU, Witness, the Enough Project, the Man Up Project, Youth for Human Rights, Free the Slaves, Global Security Institute, Artists for a New South Africa, and Active Voice.

VIDEOS!
Through 2012, the campaign is growing to include 30 video spots with Nobel Peace Prize winners and internationally recognized artists talking about the articles of the UDHR.

The first video spots have been taped, with actor Morgan Freeman, Archbishop Tutu, the Dalai Lama and Paul McCartney. More are in the works.