RealTime
| NEW YORK, UNITED STATES | JANUARY 5, 2020 |

Reaching the World—16th Annual International Human Rights Summit 2019

Youth for Human Rights International’s 16th annual Human Rights Summit held in New York draws delegations from the greatest number of countries in history.
Attendees of the 16th annual International Human Rights Summit held in Conference Room 4 of the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

Hope and accomplishment were common themes that played out in the opening session of the 16th annual International Human Rights Summit, broadcast live from Conference Room 4 of the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Attended by guests from 78 nations, the three-day 2019 summit focused on communities working together to eradicate human rights abuses through education in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

The key ingredient of the annual summit was the 51 youth who traveled from 40 nations to represent their countries. These delegates brought on-the-ground knowledge from their activities in tackling human rights issues with education. They came to exchange with diplomats and dignitaries who in turn shared their experience and knowledge from an international and policy-level perspective.

The Youth Delegates who attended were selected based on their stellar accomplishments in resolving conflicts, fostering gender equality and addressing human trafficking and other serious violations of human rights.

In a video message to the youth, Nobel Peace Laureate José Manuel Ramos-Horta, former President of East Timor, urged them to continue their mission to make human rights a reality. Practical tools to achieve that goal was the focus of a training seminar held at the Church of Scientology Harlem Community Center. A multicultural event capped the final day, a celebration of the diversity of ethnics, beliefs and culture represented by the participants. This year’s summit was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of El Salvador to the UN and cosponsored by the Permanent Missions of Ghana, the Republic of The Gambia, the Republic of Moldova and Sierra Leone. Other cosponsors were the International Union of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International, Karna Positive Trust of Nepal, Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission, Argentina’s Foundation for International Democracy in Argentina, Art and Culture for Human Rights in Italy and the African Diaspora Foundation in the US.

The summit brought home the importance of raising awareness of the UDHR and presented the historic impact of the UDHR in providing the educational resources needed to ensure a global understanding of human rights.



TAKING ACTION
Join Us in Our Campaign for Peace

There is no lack of ways to reach out with human rights education in your community.

On September 21, 2019, the International Day of Peace was celebrated around the world. The day—designated by the United Nations to be celebrated annually—focused on a commitment to peace above differences. This year was doubly significant as it was also the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace.

But to create a culture of peace requires respect for the rights of all people by all people. To do so, populations must first know what human rights are and what they consist of. Therefore, our chapters the world over held events, seminars and activities focused on educating others in their human rights in recognition of this day.

Join one of our chapters’ activities, create your own to spearhead or get involved in such activities in your area. Let us know your ideas and tell us about what you plan to do in your area.



PROTECT THEIR RIGHTS

Join the international human rights movement by becoming a member of United for Human Rights. UHR assists individuals, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in all parts of the world to raise awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.