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Delegates at the 2005 International Youth Summit |
On October 1, 2005, youth from around the world converged on Los Angeles. They came from Russia, Canada, Australia, Italy, China, Sri Lanka, South Africa and elsewhere. They came for the 2nd Annual Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) Youth Summit!
This three-day event was co-organized by YHRI and the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International to enable youth from around the world to formulate action plans on how to use human rights to create a more peaceful world.
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that we all have the right to �freedom of thought.� In recognition of this right, a multi-faith service was held on Sunday morning with Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Scientology, Judaism and Sikhism represented.
On October 1, 2004, the Mayor of Los Angeles officially proclaimed Youth for Human Rights Day International. This year, California State Assemblyman, Merveyn M. Dymally, also proclaimed this day, which was celebrated with a youth summit at David Starr Jordan High School. Delegates discussed human rights across the world with students of Jordan High and formulated projects to work on together. (learn more about this event)
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| Sukh Chugh, representing the Sikh faith at the multi-faith service |
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Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that we all have the right to make up our own minds, to think what we like, to say what we think, and to share our ideas with other people. And that is just what Summit delegates and young people around the world did at the 1st Annual UNITED Film Festival held at Los Angeles Film School as part of the International Summit. Short films with a human rights theme made by young people were shown and awards given. A workshop was held to give aspiring filmmakers the skills needed to imbue their work with positive messages. (learn more about this event)
The events cumulated in a celebration of the life of Mahatma Gandhi and other great humanitarians of the 20st century, including Martin Luther King, Jr., L. Ron Hubbard and Nelson Mandela. Each was honored with a biographical reading accompanied by a slide projection depicting their lives. (learn more about this event)
Delegates returned home with their horizons greatly expanding regarding what they can do to create positive change in their countries and the world.
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