Youth teaching youth... The purpose of Youth for Human Rights International is to teach youth around the world about human rights, thus helping them to become advocates for tolerance and peace.

UNITED MUSIC VIDEO WINS BEST SHORT FILM AWARD AT NEW YORK INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL

It has just been announced that the UNITED music video, which is the theme song for YHRI, won the Grand Jury prize for best short film at the New York Independent Film Festival held at the end of April. Shown on April 28 as part of the festival schedule, UNITED received enthusiastic audience response and a standing ovation.
Following the screening, a reception was held just off Times Square at the Church of Scientology of New York’s newly renovated quarters. The packed audience of United Nations diplomats, human rights advocates, religious leaders, filmmakers and artists were treated to a ten-minute “making of” video. UNITED director, Taron Lexton, is interviewed for the piece and shares some of the more colourful stories and behind–the–scenes footage from the production of UNITED.

>> For more about UNITED, go to the new website, www.unitedmusicvideo.com

YHRI being presented with a Certificate of Appreciation. From left to right: Mary Shuttleworth, Dir of YHRI, Claire Kevitt, Youth President of YHRI, Katie Scolari Borden of the US Fund for UNICEF, Leisa Goodman, the Human Rights Director of the Church of Scientology International and Beth Akiyama, the Public Affairs Director of the Church of Scientology for the East US.

YHRI RECEIVES UNICEF AWARD

By Claire Kevitt, Youth President for YHRI

New York – On May 2, myself and the Director of YHRI, Mary Shuttleworth were honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation signed by the President of the US Fund for UNICEF, Mr. Charles Lyons.

UNICEF, which stands for United Nations Fund for Children, plays a very important role in the world. The goal of UNICEF is to advance humanity through providing health, education, equality and protection for every child on this planet. YHRI has worked on projects with UNICEF, especially in Los Angeles. In fact the person who we worked with in LA, Katie Scolari Borden, is now based in New York as the Program Officer for the Campaign development and Program Services. That’s Katie presenting the certificate above.

The members of the Paris YHRI Club are from left to right: Joana Singla (7), Alice Carricard (11) Lea Ramelli (13), Robin Manoeuvre (16) at back, Lise Vieudrin (10), Aurelie Laffont (13), Quentin Michel (17) at back, and Melodie Bourgain (7).

France forms first YHRI Club in Paris

The members of this new club have now had their first meeting. Their purpose is to promote human rights to other young people in Paris. They intend to hold several events where they will present the What are Human Rights? booklets and the UNITED music video. They believe that their actions will improve the climate of violence which exists in their schools and neighborhoods.

The YHRI Director for Macedonia, Natasa Kirjazovska, is interviewed on national television

By Alexis Matthes — Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) has now formed in the country of Macedonia, in Eastern Europe. The YHRI I/C for Macedonia, Natasa Kirjazovska, was interviewed on the morning show on National TV. The show, which discusses the local news of Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, covered both local and international human rights issues. The UNITED music video was aired and Natasa was asked to tell about the success of UNITED around the world. Natasa then went on to explain to the viewers the purpose and activities of YHRI. Everyone agreed on the importance of teaching youth about human rights!

Member of the Month: Osagie Okoruwa

Osagie Okoruwa from Nigeria, wins the YHRI Humanitarian Penmanship award for his essay on human rights.

Osagie is the first Nigerian to win this award. His essay was based on a quote by the famous French philosopher, Francois Marie de Voltaire, which is included in our “What are Human Rights?” booklet. Mr. Voltaire stated: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Osagie writes in his essay: This quote from Voltaire portrays two viewpoints:
(a) The disapproval or non-acceptance of the other person’s opinion by another, here Voltaire;
(b) The acceptance by the person to whom the unaccepted or the disapproved statement is made has the right to do so even when the person disapproves with the contents or message.

Here, Voltaire is indicating that he is not compelled to accept the opinion of the other person, which implies that he is entitled to hold a personal or group opinion which may either differ or agree with the opinion of others on the same issue. Similarly, he (Voltaire) is also conceding to the speaker the right to express his opinion, whether or not those receiving the opinion accept it or not.
This quote from Voltaire is in alignment with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides for freedom of opinion and expression.
Article 19 states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

HUMAN RIGHTS QUOTES FROM FAMOUS PEOPLE

There are some famous people in this world who have said wonderful things about human rights. Below are some of these quotes:

>> “Young friends all over the world, you are the ones who must realize these rights, now and for all time. Their fate and future is in your hands.”
Kofi Annan – Secretary-General, United Nations

>> “If we are to teach real peace in this world and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children.”
Mohandas K. Gandhi

>> “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press and that cannot be limited without being lost.”
Thomas Jefferson

>> “Human rights must be made a fact and not an idealistic dream.”
L. Ron Hubbard

>> “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Martin Luther King. Jr.

>> “Compassion is not religious business, it is human business, it is not luxury, it is essential for our own peace and mental stability, it is essential for human survival.”
The Dalai Lama