Petitions Signed asking for Universal Human Rights Education

Pasadena, CA
18 September 2010

Pasadena’s Fiesta Patrias, where Youth for Human Rights volunteers obtain signatures on a petition calling for universal human rights education. Pasadena’s Fiesta Patrias, where Youth for Human Rights volunteers obtain signatures on a petition calling for universal human rights education.

Hundreds were on hand at Pasadena’s Villa-Parke Community Center for Fiesta Patrias, a celebration marking Mexico’s Bicentennial Independence Day along with the independence days of 18 additional Latin American countries.

Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) volunteers were also there to celebrate the occasion by collecting signatures on a petition calling for human rights education at every level of schooling and throughout every branch of government.

Throughout the year, similar petition drives are conducted by YHRI members in cities around the world. This initiative, along with a wide variety of events and one-on-one meetings with policy makers, has resulted to date in the implementation of human rights campaigns by schools and government agencies in 100 countries worldwide. The YHRI materials are based entirely on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This day in Pasadena the volunteers also surveyed participants on the question, “What should be done about human rights?” A majority of those responding said that there should be more education and awareness as well as more enforcement of human rights, not just rhetoric. Surveys such as this have helped YHRI produce award-winning educational videos and other materials which effectively communicate the message that human rights are everybody’s concern.

Many community leaders who attended Pasadena’s Fiesta Patrias expressed interest in the YHRI materials. Members of the California State Assembly, the Pasadena City Council, the police department and the past president of the Womens’ Democratic Caucus for San Gabriel Valley were given copies of the YHRI educational portfolio which is also available on this site.

Click here for more information on the Youth for Human Rights material available to educators and other community leaders.