More than 52 delegates from 35 nations or territories joined more than 400 other attendees at the U.N. Headquarters in New York on Thursday and Friday for the 18th International Human Rights Summit. The event, which was livestreamed through UN Web TV and hosted by the Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste to the United Nations, was organized by United for Human Rights and its program for young people, Youth for Human Rights. These youth are the living proof of the power of the U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the hands of passionate young advocates.
The delegates were selected from among hundreds of applicants based on their stellar record of human rights advocacy to improve their knowledge and skill in accomplishing their humanitarian goals.
- Advertisement -
“Today, we gather with a shared purpose and a common vision: to foster a global culture of human rights through education…,” said Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, president and founder of Youth for Human Rights International, which has organized the annual summits since 2004. “Education is the cornerstone of sustainable development, peace and equality. We cover the full age spectrum, recognizing that human rights education must start early and continue throughout life. From young children learning the basics of respect and dignity to adults refining their understanding and advocacy, we believe in the lifelong journey of human rights education.”
Ambassadors or representatives of the permanent missions to the U.N. of Timor-Leste, the United States, the Bahamas, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Australia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo welcomed the delegates and congratulated them for their advocacy. The Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste to the United Nations hosted the Summit which livestreamed through U.N. Web TV.
“People have tossed around all kinds of ideas for how to modernize the United Nations. But for me, there’s one solution that’s non-negotiable: We need more young people in the rooms where decisions get made,” said Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Ambassador to the United Nations in her remarks. “But more than that — more than that — we need more young people helping make those decisions… And I personally, and I know so many of my generation, cannot wait to see all of the extraordinary things you do to make our future a better place.”
Beth Akiyama, executive director of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C., spoke of how fitting it was that the first day of the summit, July 18, is also set aside by the UN as Nelson Mandela Day. Not only is Mandela’s name synonymous with human rights, he also believed that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Just so, Youth for Human Rights is committed to creating a sea change internationally through educating people on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The first two days of the summit featured panels on human rights topics:
YOUTH ON HUMAN RIGHTS: A discussion on the critical role of young people in promoting human rights and setting an example for their peers.
HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION: The importance of incorporating human rights into educational curricula to instill values of dignity and unity among future leaders.
HUMAN RIGHTS APPLIED THROUGH LAW: A discussion of the integration of human rights in legal frameworks and the role of institutions such as courts, law enforcement and legislatures in upholding these rights.
UPHOLDING HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE ARTS & MEDIA: The role of journalists, filmmakers, artists and influencers, and the need for freedom of expression and the support of creative initiatives that champion human rights.
HUMAN RIGHTS IN ACTION: The importance of nonprofit human rights organizations, the vital role of active participation in forwarding human rights—and creative ways of doing so.
The final day of the summit on Saturday featured a cultural festival at the Church of Scientology Harlem Community Center followed by outreach in New York’s Times Square, where delegates put what they learned into action by educating people on their 30 human rights.
The annual International Human Rights Summit serves as a platform for top human rights activists, dignitaries, officials and youth to exchange ideas and develop and put plans into action. The Summit’s goal is to make education on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights mandatory throughout the world and to ensure that the rights enshrined in the UDHR are given the force of law.
The Church of Scientology and Scientologists support United for Human Rights and its program for young people Youth for Human Rights making it possible to provide their educational materials and programs free of charge. For more information, visit the United for Human Rights website.
