6th Annual International Human Rights Summit 2009

Geneva
5 September 2010

Dear Friends,

Abuse and neglect of children can be found in countries around the world. Statistics are quoted by the United Nations, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization and many more. Youth who do not know that they have rights are vulnerable.

The purpose of Youth for Human Rights International is to teach youth about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspire them to become advocates for tolerance and peace.

With this aim in mind, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) has teamed up with Village Suisse ONG, the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International and Artists for Human Rights for its annual international human rights conference to be held in Geneva.

Our first such events were held in August 2004 at the United Nations Headquarters and UNICEF House in New York and in Los Angeles in 2005. In 2006 the summit was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and in 2007 at the University of California in Los Angeles. Last year the summit was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Participants have included delegates from the USA, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Uganda, Liberia, Zambia, Congo, Morocco, Nepal, Togo, Egypt, Guatemala, Guyana, Mexico, Colombia and the Philippines along with UN officials and UN country mission representatives, human rights and religious leaders, NGOs, local community activists and students.

Our three-day series of events will begin with a conference on August 28th. The Human Rights Heroes Awards 2009 acknowledge outstanding contributions in the field of human rights. The following day youth will learn and discuss Human Rights Education at an interactive workshop. Saturday night will be an evening of human rights celebrations. Sunday morning our Interreligious Service will join people of many faiths for Peace.

As has been our tradition, youth will play a prominent role in the events with young human rights activists attending from around the world to represent their countries.

This year YHRI will extend a limited quantity of sponsorships for youth who qualify as Youth Country Delegates. There will be only one qualifying delegate per country to ensure international diversity at the conference. The limited quantity of sponsorships will be awarded to some of the Youth Country Delegates based on merit. The sponsorships will not include airfares, visa and mandatory travel insurance costs. Sponsorships will include all costs in the hosting country including all transport, accommodations and meals. There are no sponsorships available for participating adults. Adults will pay for their own transport, accommodations and meals. There is no additional cost for the conference, meetings and events.

Entrance to all events is free of charge to enable broad participation by young people and the community at large. Due to limited seating we suggest that you RSVP as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

As a nonprofit corporation we rely on the generous support of like-minded individuals, groups and organizations. Your support is needed to expand our programs and enrich the lives of more youth through the knowledge that they have human rights and responsibilities.

I welcome your active involvement in our joint efforts to make human rights become a reality for all.

With kind regards,

Mary Shuttleworth, Ed.D.
President
Youth for Human Rights International