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Former President of India Calls for Human Rights Education
Added: (Wed Aug 10 2005)
New Delhi – Speaking at the 1st Annual Youth for Human Rights International Summit 2005 at the Satya Sai International Centre in New Delhi, India, the former President of India, the Honourable Sh. K.R. Narayanan, has called for children throughout the world to be educated in human rights. "By imparting these values to our youth, we help develop today’s and tomorrow's advocates for justice, tolerance and peace," he said, stressing the need to follow the path of Mahatma Gandhi.
Co-sponsored by Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) and the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International (CSI), the summit also marked the release in Hindi and Urdu of YHRI’s illustrated booklet for children, What Are Human Rights?
The international summit brought together YHRI’s Executive Director Mary Shuttleworth; CSI’s Human Rights Director Leisa Goodman; the first woman Air Marshall in the world, Mrs. P. Bandhopadhyay; famous Bollywood actress and human rights activist Nandita Das and 500 children -- all for one purpose: human rights education.
The event was supported by Friends of the United Nations, the European Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance, various Rotary Clubs in the U.S. and the Society for Protection of Human Rights, New Delhi.
Youth delegates from 15 countries including India and neighboring countries Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan spoke to attendees about their experiences with human rights. Some of the topics that the delegates touched upon included child soldiers, human trafficking, free speech and the right to education. The message conveyed to both the youth and adults in attendance was that through education about human rights, as described in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, youth can be empowered as advocates of tolerance and peace.
Several embassies were represented with flags proudly displayed by the assembled youth delegates. The award-winning human rights music video, ‘UNITED’ was shown and made a big impression on the school children. Many children came, after the program culminated in a climax of singing and celebration of the ‘UNITED’ songs, and asked how they too could join the youth group making a difference by understanding and practicing their human rights.
Celebrity and activist Nandita Das called upon the youth gathered at the program, and around the world, to take the personal initiative vital to creating awareness of the need to make a difference in life. Nandita spoke from the heart reaching many of the assembled delegates, school children and adults with her message that human rights receive the attention they deserve.
Youth for Human Rights International's visit to India is the fifth stop on its United Tour, the theme of which is "Youth United for Positive Change!" The tour has travelled from the United States to Mexico, Venezuela, the United Kingdom and Ghana. The tour will continue on to Thailand and then back to the United States for its Annual International Youth Summit being held in Los Angeles, California, October 1 - 3. Youth for Human Rights International chose to bring the ‘United’ Tour to India as a result of the country's dedication to educate youth about human rights.
Youth for Human Rights International was founded in 2001 by long-time educator Mary Shuttleworth in coordination with the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International. YHRI’s mission is to educate children so they truly understand the importance of human rights and become advocates for tolerance and peace.