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Global Human Rights Summit 2007
October 1, 2007
Youth for Human Rights International Invites Your Participation
October 1 – 3, 2007, University of California Los Angeles
Dear Friends,
As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights approaches its 60th Anniversary, only a small percentage of the population worldwide even know of its existence.
Today, the UN reports that more than a billion people are without clean water; most of the 25 million who have HIV/AIDS in Africa have no access to health care; and 121 million children are denied a basic education. Furthermore, Amnesty International has documented serious human right abuses by armed opposition groups in 42 countries, including deliberate and arbitrary killings of civilians.
Viewing these statistics, who could disagree that actions must be taken now to make human rights known, understood and most importantly, put into practice.
With this aim in mind, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) has teamed up with the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology, the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force, the Global Peace Leadership Conference and Artists for Human Rights for its annual international human rights summit and Human Rights Heros Awards presentations which will be held this year in Los Angeles on October 1 – 3, 2007.
Our first such event was held in August 2004 at UNICEF House in New York and in Los Angeles in 2005. Last year it was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Delegates from the USA, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Uganda, Liberia,
Zambia, Morocco, Nepal, Toga, Iran, Egypt, Guatemala, Guyana, Mexico, Colombia and the Philippines attended, as did UN officials and UN country mission representatives, human rights and religious freedom leaders, NGOs, local community activists and students. As has been our tradition, youth will play a prominent role in the events with young human rights activities attending from around the world to represent their countries.
Our three-day series of events will begin on Oct 1st with a ceremony at the Los Angeles City Hall to recognize Youth for Human Rights Day, as proclaimed by the City of Los Angeles on Oct 1, 2004.
The events will consist of two days of conferences—the first addressing global human rights education, the key-note speaker being Mr. Enzo di Taranto, the Coordinator of Action II, a United Nations global human rights initiative. The second day will look into human rights violations, focusing on human trafficking, a worldwide epidemic that now effects an estimated 29 million—mainly women and young girls. On the evening of October 2nd, hosted by Artists for Human Rights, a Night of Inspiration will be held to present the recipients of the 2007 International Human Rights Hero Awards.
Being that human rights education is the main theme of our events, it is only fitting that the renowned University of California, Los Angeles is the main event venue. Founded in 1919, the university is at the cutting edge of International Affairs and is often the forum for world leaders and heads of state
Entrance to all events is free of charge to enable broad participation by young people and the community at large. However it is suggested that you RSVP as soon as possible as seating is limited and those on the RSVP list will receive first preference.
For further information go to our website at www.youthforhumanrights.org, where you will find a downloadable schedule of events. Please feel free to call the YHRI office with any questions or email us at info@youthforhumanrights.org.
I look forward to seeing you and welcome your active involvement in our joint efforts to make human rights become a reality for all.
With kindest regards,
Mary Shuttleworth
President
Youth for Human Rights International
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