USIDHR co-sponsored the 18th Annual International Human Rights Summit at UN headquarters in New York. NEW YORK, USA - As 52 bright youth delegates and youth ambassadors to the 18th International Human Rights Summit filed into Conference Room 4 at UN Headquarters in New York, hundreds attending rose to their feet for a standing ovation. The youth, from 35 countries, are the living proof of the power of the UN 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. But they were not there for the praise and admiration, although they deserved it. Rather, they were determined to use this opportunity to improve their knowledge and skill to accomplish their humanitarian goals.  

Dr. Mary Shuttleworth is president and founder of Youth for Human Rights International, which has organized the annual summits since they began in 2004. She congratulated the delegates for what they have done and what they will do.  

Ambassadors or representatives of the permanent missions to the UN of Australia, the Bahamas, Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and the United States 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 UN Web TV.  

Beth Akiyama from 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 feature 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 integrating 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 to do so.  

The final day of the Summit is 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 learn 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 in schools throughout the world and to ensure that the rights enshrined in the UDHR are given the force of law.  

For more information visit the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights website: usidhr.org