10th Annual International Human Rights Summit Hosts World Premier of the "Photo Exhibition of Leading Celebrities in Haiti"
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Celebrities capture our hearts and are role models who inspire us in many ways, including fashion, music, sport, and so much more. Many celebrities have reached-out and used their media power to help others.
Highlighting the important humanitarian roles of celebrities, Youth for Human Rights International and EFE Photo-Agency organized a photo exhibition of the relief efforts in Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck the Caribbean island in 2010.
The photo exhibition took place during the opening ceremony of our 10th International Human Rights Summit held in Brussels on September 6th, 2013, which was officially opened by H.E. Professor Dr. Bertrand G. Ramcharan, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2003-2004). Co-sponsors of the Summit included: Jongeren voor Mensenrechten Belgium, Village Suisse NGO, Bomoko NGO, The Voix des Faibles ASBL, Grains de Sable ASBL, Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International and Des Jeunes pour les droits de l'homme Suisse.
The purpose of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI), a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, is to teach youth about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspire them to become advocates for tolerance and peace.
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H.E. Mr. Enzo di Taranto, former Coordinator of the United Nations Action 2 Human Rights Global Programme, a world-renown strategist and celebrity specialist, inaugurated the world premier of the "Photo Exhibition of Leading Celebrities in Haiti" as part of a global Celebrity Diplomacy campaign promoting a new image of Haiti towards becoming an emergent country by 2030. Please see the article " Celebrity Diplomacy and New Technologies" published by the International Florida University (available on Mr. di Taranto's LinkedIn profile on www.linkedin.com)
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The photo exhibition featured leading celebrities and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Sean Penn, Leonel Messi and Shakira. These are but a few of the long list of celebrities who rallied together in support of the Haiti 2010 relief efforts.
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Distinguished guests flew in from such countries as Bulgaria, Cameroon, Congo, Denmark, France, Mexico, Netherlands, Nepal, Nigeria, Mongolia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United States of America.
Youth Delegates flew in from countries including Albania, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Canada, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Liberia, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Romania, Russia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States of America and the Vietnamese community.
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Mr. di Taranto explained that the “Celebrity Diplomacy” – as he defines it - "stems from the shrinking influence of traditional role-models... it is a modern campaigning resource available to leaders and activists worldwide ... the advocacy power of celebrities has grown exponentially during the last decade and Haiti represents a state-of-the-art laboratory to innovate leadership, diplomacy as well as development strategies and actions".
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Mr. di Taranto during an interview by Agencia EFE with soccer celebrity Lionel Messi in the background.
Photos were generously provided by Agencia EFE, photojournalist Gracia Bennish and London-based portrait photographer, Felix Kunze.
Working in collaboration with many other groups and organizations, Youth for Human Rights International continues to highlight the important humanitarian roles of celebrities in their communities, and beyond, by showcasing their initiatives through celebrity photo-exhibits.