Youth Summit at the United Nations Complex - Human Rights News - Church of Scientology Human Rights Department

24 August 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

YOUTH SUMMIT AT THE UNITED NATIONS COMPLEX

Delegates arrive for the human rights summit

The Church of Scientology International, Youth for Human Rights International and the International Foundation for Human Rights and Tolerance co-sponsored a youth summit at the United Nations complex in New York in August.

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.

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.

Leisa Goodman addresses the youth summit

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 OChoa

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 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 OChoa, 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.

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.

Melody Wooly (speaking), Eleanor Roosevelt Foundation

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 MCd 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 YHRIs 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 Zambia, and Mr. Irving Sarnoff, Director, Friends of the United Nations.

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 standing ovation. Distribution is planned all over the world.

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.

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 years event even bigger and better.