Wide celebration of this event was taken place around the world. The Republic of Uzbekistan was not the exception. Last year Uzbekistan, being strongly committed to the values and principles of this unique international document, launched various conferences, projects and discussions aiming to increase knowledge and awareness of human rights among the largest number of rights holders so that they can claim and enjoy their rights. The legal basis of such events was the Decree of the President of Uzbekistan “On the Action Program dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of Adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights” issued on May 1, 2008.

One of the most ambitious projects commemorating the 60 anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on international level was the Euro-American project - an initiative of an international organization HELSINKI ESPAÑA - HUMAN DIMENSION with HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION OF THE COMMUNITY OF VALENCIA, supported by the City Hall of Valencia. Helsinki España-Human Dimension is an NGO that promotes the education of Human Rights internationally in the university environment through its University Network, with International Meetings, Training Courses and Volunteer Activities.

The University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan - one of the most prestigious universities in Central Asia - successfully represented Uzbekistan in International Forum within Euro-American project held in Valencia, Spain from December 9 to 13 2008. The UWED team consisted of Senior lecturer in International Law Department, Candidate of legal sciences Mr. Khaydarali Yunusov and outstanding students Ms. Valeriya Ok and Mr. Husniddin Ochildiyev.

The UWED team participated in this International Forum with the research work entitled “Alternative or/and Complementary Declarations to the Universal Declaration of Human rights” which had been developed by team members over several months. This research paper was dedicated to the analysis of the universality of UDHR through the complex study of seven declarations which have different backgrounds as well as contents. The list of declarations included: The Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights of 1981, The Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam of 1990, The Bangkok Declaration of 1993, African Charter on Human and People’s Rights of 1981, The Declaration of Human Rights and Dignity of 2006, Valencia Declaration of Human Duties and Responsibilities of 1998, and UNESCO Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights of 1997.

According to the outcomes of the Forum the team from Uzbekistan was included in the list of 10 best teams. Its active participation and research paper were specifically noted and appreciated by the President of the Helsinki-Espana-Human Dimension H.H. Princess Monika zu Löwenstein.

This year the Euro-American project launched its second phase. The second phase of the Project in 2009 is addressed to participants from the 1st phase of the International Meeting in Valencia 2008. Hence, the UWED team of the same membership was kindly invited to continue working on the development of Human rights observation and dissemination information about the UDHR. Likewise, the UWED will represent Uzbekistan in the second International Forum which will take place in New York, USA from November 22 to 25, 2009. The topic of the second phase of the Project is "Poverty eradication: a challenge for universities worldwide".

This year the UWED team members have prepared the research paper “The Roles and Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations with regard to Human Rights”.

At the dawn of the 21st century one of the most important changes in the human rights debate is the increased recognition of the link between business and human rights. Transnational corporations (TNCs) evoke particular concern in relation to recent global trends because they are the most important actors in international trade order and economic development.

Some transnational corporations, however, do not respect minimum international human rights standards and can thus be implicated in abuses such as employing child labourers, discriminating against certain groups of employees, failing to provide safe and healthy working conditions, attempting to repress independent trade unions, discouraging the right to bargain collectively, limiting the broad dissemination of appropriate technology and intellectual property, and dumping toxic wastes. Some of these abuses disproportionately affect developing countries, children, minorities, and women who work in unsafe and poorly paid production jobs, as well as indigenous communities and other vulnerable groups.

Thus, the question of clarification of roles played by TNCs with regard to human rights is of ultimate significance and requires a theoretical examination through the prism of eradicating the poverty.

In addition, the view of existing initiatives and standards on TNCs and human rights indicates that there is a gap in understanding the nature and scope of responsibilities of TNCs with regard to human rights. This fact also determines the relevance of this research paper.

With regards to the forthcoming International forum, the University of World Economy and Diplomacy team members are highly motivated to make their own contribution to understanding and promotion of human rights worldwide as well as share their own views on poverty eradication with other participants.