Florida Youth Represents USA at International Human Rights Summit

At the Youth for Human Rights International Summit in Geneva, Switzerland (home of the United Nations Office of Human Rights), hundreds of people and twenty-six youths representing diverse countries from around the world were in attendance, all concerned with ONE. Under one roof, there was one group, one purpose, and one race; the human race, without discrimination.

During the International Summit, these youths came together in a workshop to share innovative techniques they had used to promote human rights outside the classroom. Clearwater youth Dustin McGahee uses his creative writing, including several published poems, to communicate the importance of human rights. Niki Lanik from the United Kingdom races cars internationally, telling his fans everywhere about human rights education, and Sarah Melody tours throughout Canada using her powerful singing to promote the cause. McGahee, the delegate from Youth for Human Rights Florida, addressed an impressive roster of international ambassadors, academic and religious leaders, pointing to the vital worldwide necessity of improving human rights in both developed and underdeveloped countries. “What you do in the near future determines whether entire societies will live under darkness and suppression, or if they will thrive with a life full of Human Rights,” 18 year old McGahee reminded the representatives.

McGahee was inspired to become an active human rights advocate when he learned an international sex-slave ring was busted just minutes from his comfortable suburban home. Although most people see human rights violations as problems in third-world countries, all countries throughout the world are confronted with human rights violations every day, regardless of economic level. McGahee says that many of today’s social problems, such as hate crimes, stem from violations of human rights like freedom of thought and freedom from discrimination.

McGahee summed up the importance of the event by saying, “You hear so often that the youth of the next generation will bring about the next change. We are those youth.”

In 1948 the United Nations adopted The Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the tool to resolve human rights violations.

Today, the purpose of Youth for Human Rights is to educate youth about human rights, in and out of the classroom.

Do you know all thirty of your human rights? If not, or to learn more about the group, go to http://www.youthforhumanrights.org/.

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