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September 5-7, 2008

New York, USA

As the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
approaches its 60th Anniversary, only a small percentage of the
population worldwide know of its existence. Today, the UN reports that
more than a billion people are without clean water; most of the 25
million who have HIV/AIDS in Africa have no access to health care; and
121 million children are denied a basic education. Furthermore,
Amnesty International has documented serious human right abuses by
armed opposition groups in 42 countries, including deliberate and
arbitrary killings of civilians. Viewing these statistics, who could
disagree that actions must be taken now to make human rights known,
understood and most importantly, put into practice. With this aim in
mind, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) has teamed up with
the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology and Artists
for Human Rights for its annual international human rights summit and
Human Rights Advocates Awards presentations to be held this year in
New York. Our first such event were held in August 2004 at 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 last year it
was held at the University of California in Los Angeles. Participants
have included delegates have from the USA, Canada, UK, France, Italy,
Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South
Africa, Uganda, Liberia, Zambia, Morocco, Nepal, Toga, Iran, 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 on September 5th with a ceremony
at the United Nations Headquarters, New York. In the evening we will
present the recipients of the 2008 International Human Rights
Advocates Awards at the elegant Roosevelt Hotel. The following day we
will host the Human Rights Conference followed by an Inter-Religious
Parade and Service on Sunday afternoon, September 7th at the Dag
Hammerskjold Plaza in New York. As has been our tradition, youth will
play a prominent role in the events with young human rights activist
attending from around the world to represent their countries. Entrance
to all events is free of charge to enable broad participation by young
people and the community at large. However it is suggested that you
RSVP as soon as possible as seating is limited and those on the RSVP
list will receive first preference. The United Nations clearance
procedures require prior submission of names for security purposes so
please confirm early to avoid disappointment. For further information
about us visit our website at www.youthforhumanrights.org.

Please feel free to call the YHRI office with any questions or email
us at info@youthforhumanrights.org. I look forward to seeing you and
welcome your active involvement in our joint efforts to make human
rights become a reality for all.

With kind regards, Mary ShuttleworthPresidentYouth for Human Rights
International
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