In the early days of the UN, human rights was one of the most pressing issues. After the UN Commission on Human Rights was established, the international community began to draft the UDHR. By exploring UN archives, this paper finds that during that process, Pengchun Chang (P. C. Chang), the Chinese representative, drew heavily on his view that human dignity was the raison d’être of human rights, and as a consequence recognition of the importance of human dignity was a key element in the UDHR eventually adopted. I conclude that Chang was skilled in his advocacy of the recognition of human dignity as he persuaded people to reach a consensus on human rights standards, providing a common standard for all peoples and all nations. This paper will mainly ask: What was the role of human dignity in P. C. Chang’s idea on human rights? What role can we say human dignity played? How did the UDHR treat the issue of human dignity?

1. Introduction
 2. Who is Pengchun Chang?
 3. Chang’s Concept of Human Rights
  A. Introduction to Chang’s Concept of Human Rights
  B. Rich Connotative Meaning of Chang’s Concept of Human Rights
 4. Human Dignity in Chang’s Concept of Human Rights
  A. The Human Dignity Cherished by the UDHR’s Founding Figures
  B. Influential Factors in Chang’s Concept of Human Dignity
  C. Uses of Human Dignity in Chang’s Concept of Human Rights
 5. Conclusion

• Pinghua Sun(China University of Political Science and Law)