Calling on graduates to "remember that it is not a world full of possibilities for all," U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson urged a crowded Tercentenary Theatre to help secure social and economic rights for the disadvantaged.

Robinson addressed this year's graduates at the afternoon Commencement exercises on June 4.

"We must all set ourselves the goal of giving such principles practical effect, and the success of our efforts can only be measured by the improved well-being of individuals around the world," she said.

Robinson, who was the first woman president of Ireland from 1990 to 1997, marked the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by reminding graduates that obstacles still remain to its full realization. The declaration was issued by the U.N. following the atrocities of World War II.

"Rights for too many remain little more than words on paper," she said.

Robinson's address, delivered over blustery afternoon winds, exhorted graduates touse their education for public service.

"Use your education for only the worthiestgoals--goals that contribute to the betterment ofthe lives of others," she said.

"You have the skills to teach others to be moretolerant, more understanding and more caring, andI am confident that your recognition of thisspecial responsibility will guide your actions,"she told graduates.

Robinson emphasized the importance of raisingawareness of human rights on the local level.

"Without concerned citizen action to uphold[human rights] close to home, we shall look invain to progress in the larger world," she said.

Human rights must take precedence over otherconcerns, she said.

"No matter how hard the going gets, we must notsacrifice human rights for other goals," she said.

Robinson invoked Eleanor Roosevelt, U.S.representative to the U.N. Commission on HumanRights and later the commission's chair, as aninspiration to graduates.

"[Roosevelt] worked tirelessly for the humanrights of the ordinary men and women of America,"Robinson said.

Robinson said the coming years will see "thepromotion at the international level of economic,social and cultural rights, and the right todevelopment."

Audience members said they were impressed byRobinson's sincerity and devotion to human rights.

"I only wish she'd used more examples. Shemight have gotten home to people that we all livevery privileged lives," said Mary Proctor '63

Despite anticipation that Robinson would speakabout the recent peace accord in Ireland, shefailed to mention it. Still listeners werepleased.

"I felt she addressed a lot of issues," saidThomas J. Roberts '98. "She forced attention onpeople not as privileged as we are, as wecongratulate ourselves."

--David A. Fahrenthold contributed to thereporting of this story.