Youth For Human Rights International Summit
United Nations, New York
August 23 – 24, 2004

Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI)’s summit at the United Nations has now concluded. To say that the summit was a resounding success would be an understatement. Young delegates returned to their countries enthused and eager to implement what they had learned in the field of human rights.

When it comes to international relations, perhaps even world-weary diplomats grown a little cynical with trying to broker peace in troubled areas of the world would benefit from the vision and enthusiasm that the Youth for Human Rights International delegates brought to the table.

Group shot of the delegates outside the United Nations

The events opened with a welcoming reception for the young delegates on August 23 at United Nations Headquarters in New York, hosted by the Director of Youth for Human Rights International, Mary Shuttleworth, and YHRI Advisory Board member and President of the American-Iranian Friendship Association, Dr. Pouran Ameli.

The delegates represented the following countries:

• Argentina: Paola Juliana Morabito
• Australia: Tara Fitzpatrick
• Bangladesh: Sushoma R. Singha
• Canada: Natasha LeBlanc
• China: Hoa Wang
• Dominican Republic: Mireya Almonte
• France: Quentin Michel
• Germany: Katharina Waterkamp
• Greece: Claire Alexa Kevitt
• Guyana: Fay Lovern O’Choa
• India: Natasha Jain
• Israel: Renen Wasserman
• Mexico: Allan Agami
• Palestine: Zeina Hamad
• Russia: Denis Sefiner
• South Africa: Sasha Rajah
• South Korea: Sharon S. Lim
• Sweden: Simon Scholtz
• Switzerland: Pascal Wettstein
• Ukraine: Eugene Yelensky
• United Kingdom: David Hodkin
• United States: Katherine Aspell

The opening reception was held in one of the UN assembly rooms. Delegates filed in with their country flags, wearing satin sashes each bearing the name of their country.

Dr. Ameli opened the event, commending the delegates, Youth for Human Rights International, Friends of the United Nations, the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance and the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International for sponsoring the event.

The Deputy Director of the U.S. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Craig Mokhiber, gave a very forthright address, pointing out that the United Nations has not yet achieved its goal of international peace and that the UN wants to work with today's youth who are the future to create better conditions in the world.

Natasha Jain, delegate for India, and Fay O’Choa, for Guyana, both spoke of how they had met the presidents of their respective countries and told them of their human rights action. Both presidents endorsed their efforts.

The rest of the day was spent with meeting and getting to know each other.

Religious leaders at the service

The following day began with a multi-faith religious service at the UN Church Center Chapel. Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Scientology representatives took part. The chapel was packed for the service with standing room only.

After an opening by a gospel rapper, Rev. John Carmichael of the Church of Scientology New York led the prayers and introduced each of the speakers from the different religions present.

Many attendees commented later on the powerful and moving impact of the 30-minute service.

The scene then moved to the premises of UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund. YHRI Director Mary Shuttleworth MC’d and welcomed everyone. During the opening ceremony, the delegates entered carrying their national flags. Fifteen of the young delegates then gave presentations on the state of human rights in their country and what is needed to bring about heightened awareness and application of human rights.

After lunch, Ms. Sang Nguyen of UNICEF gave an informative address about the global activities of UNICEF and its contribution to human rights. Two human rights discussions were then held, each featuring two panels of young and adult speakers.

The first panel, moderated by Leisa Goodman, Human Rights Director, Church of Scientology International, focussed on the need for human rights education. During his presentation, Mr. Ram Babu Bhakal, Permanent Mission of Nepal, pointed out that YHRI’s booklet, What are Human Rights?, is an excellent tool to teach children the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Mr. Hector Ortega, Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations, Mr. Alan Saunders, specialist in HIV/AIDS prevention, and Ms. Marjorie Andrade, UN Goodwill Ambassador for Brazil, responded to the young panel of delegates.

The second panel was moderated by Tracie Morrow, a spokesperson for Youth for Human Rights, on the theme of Leaders of Tomorrow.The “mature” speakers included Ms. Melody Wooly from the Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation, Ms. Judith Lahai-Monoh, human rights activist from Sierra Leone, Executive Director for Saving Lives Through Alternate Options (SLAO), a CBO in Houston, Texas, and Mr. Irving Sarnoff, Director, Friends of the United Nations.

Another group shot

The United Nations Permanent Missions of Lebanon, Switzerland, South Africa, Finland, Jamaica, Nepal, Grenada, Netherlands, Philippines, Togo, Singapore, Mozambique, Colombia, Syria, Nicaragua, Palestine, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Armenia, also sent representatives to the summit.

Following the summit at UNICEF, the evening event in the luxurious Pratt Mansion in New York featured the premiere of the Youth for Human Rights International human rights music video, UNITED, at a ceremony MC'd by Michelle Seward, President of the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance. The video, directed by the 19-year-old director and cinematographer, Taron Lexton, uses a combination of rap and pop music to communicate a powerful story of human rights in today's society. It received a rousing standing ovation. Distribution is planned all over the world.

YHRI Director, Mary Shuttleworth, Leisa Goodman, Human Rights Director, Church of Scientology International, and Ashleigh Prince, Executive Director, International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance, presented awards to all the delegates for their initiative and accomplishments for human rights. Presentations were made to special donors who had helped make the event possible, including the Carter Hotel of New York, Mr. Richard Kendall, and, last but not least, 11-year old entrepreneur Cameron Kay who donated $1,000 from sales of his own artwork. He joined his father, Bob Kay, as a major donator towards the event.

Great entertainment was provided by a lively African American mime dance troupe, The Anointed Ezekiel Dancers, and New York award winning jazz/rock artist, Lorenzo Laroc, who played an electric violin. These artists, like those who perform in the music video, donated their time and talents at no charge in the cause of human rights. All those who so contributed are warmly thanked.

It was unanimously agreed that the two-day summit represents a launching pad for major new initiatives to advance human rights across the world and that everyone will contribute to making next year’s event even bigger and better.

>> See more photos from the event