This book is based on papers originally presented at the international conference ‘Activating Human Rights and Diversity’ held in Australia in 2003. It advances a powerful and convincing affirmation of the importance of human rights in the twenty-first century and explores the vital connections between the theory and practice of human rights. It asks what kind of vision for humanity is necessary, given the harsh realities and challenges of the twenty-first century. Through a range of perspectives - reconciliation, refugees, women, indigenous issues, same-sex sexualities, conflict resolution, environmental degradation, political freedoms and disability - this collection highlights the fact that the survival of humanity depends on our ability to connect a vision with the reality of activating human rights.