December, a month full of holidays, is also Universal Human Rights Month. As a language service provider, TransPerfect is in a unique and important position of dismantling obstacles that are often caused by language and other barriers.

Defining human rights is the first step in understanding the necessity of these values always having a platform for exposure. The Advocates for Human Rights website defines human rights as: “Standards that allow all people to live with dignity, freedom, equality, justice, and peace. Every person has these rights simply because they are human beings.” They continue to specify that these rights are not conditional based on things like: race, color, sex, language, religion, politics, and background, such as nationality or property status. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a landmark text in the history of human rights. It calls for fundamental human rights to be universally protected, and it has been translated into over 500 languages. Definitions are simple, but participating in and enabling the standards that allow all people to live with dignity is not always easy.

Through our different services, we actively contribute to human rights and the advancement of issues associated with human rights concerns. We are constantly reminded through our close relationship with our freelance experts and clients that we are a “human” business, and that the amazing work we do continues to thrive because of those connections. As a company, we are aware that our vendor base wouldn’t be universal without human rights movements in history and the benefits of supporting current human rights initiatives. TransPerfect is proud to share with our freelance family and our clients just a few of the ways we actively participate in the advancement of human rights.

Not Just Services, Service-Oriented

Translation Service – The right to equal access to public service

Members of TransPerfect’s Sales Teams saw a need for public schools to get breaking news updates, syllabuses, and other materials translated so that parental guardians could read in their native tongues information that ultimately helps their children succeed. Members of our TransPerfect family taking initiative and time to help because they care about providing a necessary resource continues to make a considerable impact on school districts across the country!

Media Service – The right to the pursuit of happiness

One wonderful project TransPerfect Spain has had the honor of partnering with for several years is Fundación Adecco. They have launched an awareness campaign against the social exclusion of people with disabilities. TransPerfect supports them in their mission to promote an understanding of disability issues and increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life. Please enjoy this video provided by our Spanish colleges: El Filtro.

Medical Service – The right to control what happens to your own body and to make medical decisions for yourself

The New York–based MedTech Team translates weekly on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The material they work on aides the CDC in their mission to help eliminate Ebola and also prevent diseases like diabetes through programs and educational assistance. One team making a world of difference in communities and in the lives of people they may never meet is a special takeaway for TransPerfect and its support of human rights on a global scale.

No Scrooges Here

History teaches us that championing human rights leads to greater access and success for humanity as a whole. TransPerfect takes that championship seriously by creating and working with existing programs that have human rights objectives.

Within our organization, TransPerfect has advocate chapters in Asia, the US, and Europe. The mission of TransPerfect Advocate is to promote the visibility of LGBTQA+ and matters related to the community both within and outside of the TransPerfect family of companies. One way the New York–based advocate chapter promotes human rights is by attending the Athlete Ally Action Awards. Athlete Ally is an organization working to “ensure everyone has equal access, opportunity, and experience in sports—regardless of your sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.” Their mission is to “end homophobia and transphobia in sports and to activate the athletic community to exercise their leadership to champion LGBTQ equality.”

That’s the Human in Me

An undeniable thread that connects us on this planet is that we are all only human. Part of humanity is our compassion, understanding, and consideration for each other. Just as our freelance family wears a range of different faces, ethnicities, and cultures, so does human rights. This is a great time of year and in history to ask yourself what do human rights mean to you? How can you support human rights, as even a seemingly small effort can create a big impact! Just as our vendors represent us in the work they provide, we represent them with the causes we choose to support in the world. We want them to know they are working with a company that cares. TransPerfect spends the time making sure this world is a better place because it’s the world we all share in together.