Congratulations! You have made the decision to start a human rights chapter. Here are the basic steps you need to take:

1. If you are not already familiar with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (and most people are not), read the document as a first action. You will find an abridged version, as well as the full version, in the Know Your Human Rights booklet.

Make sure you fully understand each article. It may help to recall when you saw a right being granted and when you saw it being violated. If you do not have a copy of Know Your Human Rights, you can obtain one here.

1. Watch the UNITED music video. It can be ordered from Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) or at http://www.youthforhumanrights.org. UNITED is a street-savvy, multi-ethnic, five-minute film that conveys the power of human rights awareness in curbing violent confrontation and intolerance. Although addressed to youth, its message is applicable to all ages. You can also view our human rights public service announcements (PSAs) at http://www.youthforhumanrights.org.
2. Become familiar with our website http://www.youthforhumanrights.org
3. Visit the UNITED website at www.unitedmusicvideo.org.
4. Browse the websites of the two largest human rights organizations, Amnesty International (www.amnesty.org) and Human Rights Watch (www.hrw.org). These informative sites will help orient you to the major human rights issues in the world today.
5. Read all the elements in this starter pack, as it contains what you need to get your chapter into action.
6. Now that you have some basic familiarity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and key human rights issues, it's time to get started.

2. Discuss human rights with your friends and associates. Invite those who show interest to start a human rights chapter. You don't need many people—one or two is enough at first.

3. Direct your new chapter members to the human rights websites and have them become familiar with key issues, as well as the Declaration.

4. Now that you have the basic elements of a chapter, i.e., active members who know their human rights, and who want to help others know and use their rights, go through the starter pack with them. You can download the pack below.

5. Take out your "Things Anyone Can Do for Human Rights" list from this starter kit. You have already done step 1. Now it is time to reach out to leaders of your community, city and country and let them know they need to promote and apply the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

6. Sign the Petition to Implement the Declaration and have your friends do so as well. Write or ask government officials what they are doing as regards human rights and what your chapter can do to help make these rights a reality for every man, woman and child in your country.

7. Look at the "Things Anyone Can Do for Human Rights" list again and work out the next action your chapter should do. Get this rolling.

8. Finally, it is important you let us know what you are planning or accomplishing, so we can update our website with news from chapters around the world. We love to hear from you. You can also contact us for help, questions, ideas or just to share your thoughts. Send us pictures of your chapter in action. You can e-mail them to info@youthforhumanrights.org.

  Download the Starter Pack

Starting a Youth for Human Rights Club (for youth)