P. C. Chang

P. C. Chang (zh-stpw|s=张彭春|t=張彭春|p=Zhāng Péngchūn|w=Chang¹ P'eng²-ch'un¹) (1892 – 1957) was a Chinese professor, philosopher and playwright. He served as Vice-Chairman of the UN Commission on Human Rights and Republic of China delegate to committee, which was responsible for drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) of 1948.

Chang has been described as a Renaissance Man. He was a playwright, musician, diplomat, a lover of traditional Chinese literature and music and someone who knew both Western and Islamic culture. At the first meeting of ECOSOC he quoted Mencius stating that ECOSOC's highest aim should be to "subdue people with goodness." [Mary Ann Glendon, A World Made New, Eleanor Roosevelt and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, p 33]

On the UDHR drafting committee, he served both as an effective Asian delegate and also as a mediator when the negotiations reached a stalemate.

Born in China, he received his higher education in the United States, at Columbia University. He returned to Nankai University in Tianjin and served there as professor. After the invasion of China by Japan in 1937, Chang joined the anti-Japanese resistance at Nankai University. When the Japanese arrived there he had to flee, dressed as a woman. He was engaged by the Chinese government to assist in promoting awareness in Europe and America of the Rape of nanking. [Glendon, p 133] Chang later teaching also at the University of Chicago. His philosophy is known to be strongly based on the teachings of Confucius.

Chang became a full time diplomat in 1942 serving as China's representative in Turkey. He was an enthusiastic promoter of Chinese culture. While in Turkey he delivered lectures on the reciprocal influences and commonalities between Arabic and Chinese cultures, and on the relationship between Confucianism and Islam. [Glendon, p 133]

Chang resigned from the UN in 1952 because of a worsening heart condition and died in 1957. [Glendon, p 211]

References

External links

* [http://www.ccnmtl.columbia.edu/projects/mmt/udhr/biographies/217.html Columbia Center for New Media Teaching and Learning Biography]