At a time when human trafficking, armed conflict, violence, discrimination, and other human rights abuses continue to affect millions around the world, a different story will unfold at United Nations Headquarters July 30–31, followed by a day of leadership workshops on August 1.
The 2026 International Human Rights Summit, presented under the theme “Education for Peace: A 25-Year Legacy,” will bring together youth delegates from 41 nations alongside internationally respected diplomats, judges, educators, law enforcement officials and human rights advocates to demonstrate how education is creating lasting solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges.
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Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Youth for Human Rights International, the Summit is sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste to the United Nations and organized by Youth for Human Rights International and its sister organization, United for Human Rights.
Rather than focusing only on the world’s problems, the Summit—now in its 20th year— highlights practical solutions. Through education based on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), young people are preventing violence, combating discrimination, promoting justice and building stronger, more compassionate communities.
Featured speakers include internationally respected leaders such as Dr. Ira Helfand (USA), Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former president of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War; H.E. Ambassador Salah Hammad, head of the African Union Governance Architecture Secretariat; Hon. Dr. José Antonio Michilini (Argentina), federal judge of the Federal Oral Criminal Court in Buenos Aires; and Dr. Vineet Kapoor (India), deputy inspector general of police, Madhya Pradesh Police.
The Summit will also showcase remarkable young leaders who are transforming their communities through human rights education.
Irvin Uriel Hernández Sosa (Mexico), an Indigenous youth leader from Oaxaca, will moderate the Youth Panel, bringing the voice of Indigenous communities while inspiring young people to become leaders for peace, dignity and positive change.
Rahul K.C. (Nepal), president of Youth for Human Rights Nepal and co-founder of the International Youth Forum, has led more than 900 human rights education programs and trained over 35,000 police and armed forces personnel, helping support Nepal’s transition to peace after years of conflict.
Kazi Tamanna Ferdush (Bangladesh) returns to the Summit after first participating as a youth delegate in 2019. Today she serves as assistant attorney general for Bangladesh and is an advocate before the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, demonstrating how youth leadership can grow into national service and international human rights leadership.
“Twenty-five years ago, Youth for Human Rights was founded on a simple but powerful belief: when young people understand their human rights, they become champions for the rights of others. Over the past quarter century, millions of young people have transformed the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into action. As we celebrate our first 25 years, we are building on that foundation to expand our impact exponentially over the next 25 years—because the future of human rights begins with education,” said Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, founder of Youth for Human Rights and United for Human Rights.
The Summit concludes on August 1 with an intensive day of interactive leadership workshops, equipping delegates with practical skills, resources and strategies to launch and strengthen human rights initiatives in their schools, communities and nations.
As Youth for Human Rights International celebrates a quarter century of empowering young people, the International Human Rights Summit stands as both a celebration of what has been achieved and a launchpad for the next generation of leaders committed to creating a more peaceful, just and compassionate world.
The Church of Scientology and Scientologists around the world support Youth for Human Rights and United for Human Rights, helping the organizations provide human rights educational materials free of charge to educators, community groups and government agencies worldwide.
“L. Ron Hubbard said, ‘Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream,’ and for 25 years, Youth for Human Rights has worked to advance that vision by helping young people understand the 30 rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which were adopted by the United Nations in 1948,” said Beth Akiyama, executive director of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office. “Human rights education can never be ‘one and done.’ Every new generation must be taught, empowered and encouraged to protect its own rights and stand up for the rights of others.”
To learn more about Youth for Human Rights, complete online training or request educational materials, visit www.youthforhumanrights.org. Find out more about United for Human Rights at www.humanrights.com. About United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights International
