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Albert Jacquard's Vision
Human rights should be perceived as the consequence of our lucidity on the specific characteristics of our species. This lucidity makes us understand that we are the only living beings capable of becoming people, in other words of being conscious of being. This metamorphosis can only be achieved through contact and dialogue with others. A society that respects human rights should therefore above all permit each individual to participate in these contacts and dialogues. The purpose of education is the encounter with others.
I have recently heard an interview with Albert Jacquard on Radio France Intrnacional that I have really enjoyed. It made me think that I have unjustly strayed from French culture in the recent past and it made me want to get closer again. Albert Jacquard is an old man, a geneticist and a humanist that I strongly recommend. His radio broadcast can be heard at Radio France here (in French). Amazon lists some of his books, in French only regretfully. Titles like "Science and Citizenship", "The Heritage of Freedom: From Bestiality to Humanity", "The Future hasn't been written yet", "Five Million men in a ship" are some of the titles that would be nice to read in English.
Here's another quote: "Earth is our only home. And we have explored, colonised and exploited every part of it; we know now that its resources are finite and that we have already damaged its eco-structure. Can we learn to live in harmony with it for the sake of future generations?"
and another: "Without menkind the universe is nothing but a continuum without structure". Many more quotes in French here.