Having lived in different countries and with different people, I have come to realise that as people we have a lot in common. Of course we have our differences. We practice different religions, come from different ethnic backgrounds, and speak different languages but at the end of the day we seek common universal truths.

While looking at the UN Declaration for Human Rights I  have often wondered about its application. When it was drafted in 1940s, I do believe that it was well intended. After all when looking back to that time era, there were unspeakable horrors taking place....not to mention that they still do happen in certain parts of the world today. But that's just it...these injustices are still taking place. What's missing?

When the Declaration for Human Rights was drafted, it was presented to to a group of world philosophers and thinkers of the time. One of them being Gandhi, who questioned...what about the concept of responsibility and duty at a non-state level? Doesn't it also start at the grassroots level?

To recognise the injustices in the world and to question our own prejudices, I feel, comes through dialogue and education. It takes courage to recognise ones faults and it's not easy to change. However, it is easier to remain quiet, but isn't that worse? By remaining quiet we are in a way contributing to the issues that are arising because we are not taking on the 'responsibility and duty' to one another harmonious coexistence.

As the old saying goes, 'History tends to repeat itself'. I always wonder why? Is it because as human beings we don't learn from the past? Recently, I had a thought...is it because there are certain character traits we have as human beings? Throughout history we hear about the rise and fall of empires, individuals who come to powering trends that quite often looks very similar to present day topics we hear in the news.

I have recently come to realise, perhaps there are innate character traits we have as humans that stir us towards certain actions. For example our desires or the need for more. I read once, in Reframing Organisations, that power is the drive to allocating your resources. It's the ability to have that influence to 'shake things up' and having the ability to move your 'resources' around. Having that influence or power comes great responsibility. Should we as leaders be more conscious of how we exert this influence on others?

History does tend to repeat itself - the question is do we have the courage to think things through and do what is best of humanity or what benefits us as individuals?