A human rights approach plays an effective role in establishing justice as the framework for human relationships. This maintains “rights” for all human beings while guaranteeing a moral foundation of mutual and equitable trusteeship between all individuals and disallows both a rampant individualism and the elevation of the state or any group above others.

A central guiding principle of the human rights approach would be the equality of women and men. The dire condition of women—including girls and elder women—in all aspects of human life needs to be attended to, in order to ensure justice for women economically, socially, and at all levels of governance. Equal rights and participation of women in legal, political, economic, academic, social and artistic endeavors is a prerequisite for a just and more peaceful society.

If the world’s leaders grasped the principle of the oneness of humanity as the operational principle on all levels of society, and reshaped the structures of governance to reflect it, the world’s major injustices—like genocide and terrorism—could be eliminated. Living according to the principle of oneness is a prerequisite to justice in its fullest expression, which is a prerequisite to peace.

The full benefits of social justice will not be realized until justice is seen as a human capacity housed within the human soul, a gift meant to be shared. Justice and equity are twin pillars protecting the wellbeing of the peoples of the world. Social justice, fair-mindedness, compassion, generosity, consideration for others, and loving-kindness are divine attributes and qualities, part of our common spiritual heritage.

Acting toward all beings with a sense of equity, we come to understand justice not through the eyes of someone else, but through our own independent investigation; and, we discover that the essence of divine wisdom and grace is justice itself. It is through this discerning eye that we ultimately see with the eye of oneness.

Today, more than ever, we need champions of justice, equity, kindness, and unconditional love, who see first see the same virtues of nobility in every human being.