In honor of the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is again circling the globe, now on its sixth annual World Tour. This year’s team, including Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, President and Founder of YHRI, videographer Jimmy Collins and photographer Warren Tardiff, launched World Tour 2009 from Los Angeles on March 22nd.

World Tour 2009’s arrival in Mexico heralded the Latin American release of Youth for Human Rights International’s Spanish-dubbed public service announcements (PSAs). The PSAs, a key component of YHRI’s human rights educational curriculum, depict the 30 Articles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Colombia and Argentina, upcoming stops on the World Tour 2009 itinerary, are next in line for official release of this new language edition.

These youth in Mexico now have the new Spanish language PSAs.

Many on the island of Barbados already recognize the work of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) as a result of seeing YHRI’s public service announcements played on national television. The YHRI Barbados chapter now represents the eighty-fourth country to join YHRI. Hosted by Rev. Michael Steele, the World Tour 2009 team had a packed agenda of meetings with high-level officials planned, in addition to special events for youth.

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.

Youth for Human Rights World Tour 2009 proved to be a feast of variety and adventure as YHRI President Mary Shuttleworth, Ed.D., visited countries large and small, made new friends and spread her message of peace and tolerance around the world.

We started out in Mexico, which featured meetings with multinational media and telecommunications corporations, as well as national government agencies for youth, antidiscrimination and human rights.

Attended by human rights advocates, officials, diplomatic corps and NGOs, the three-day summit was opened by president and founder of Youth for Human Rights International, Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, key organizer of the three-day conference, and co-organizer Mr. Adalbert Nouga of nongovernmental organization Village Suisse.

Youth delegates from around the world joined local students and community leaders at Youth for Human Rights International’s Youth Summit and Awards Dinner in Las Vegas on September 3rd. Hosted by the American-Iranian Friendship Association and its Founder and President, Dr. Pouran Ameli, the Summit featured an International Youth Delegation of twenty youth representing countries such as France, Germany, Iran, Japan, Kyrgyzstan and the United States, each wearing their country sash and bearing their country flag.

Dear Supporters,

Youth are the heartbeat of our future. Youth who know that they have rights and responsibilities can strive to reach their full potentials. Unfortunately, youth who do not know their rights are vulnerable and easy prey for ill-intentioned individuals.

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.

Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) teamed up with the California Association of Student Councils (CASC) in teaching young leaders about human rights as part of CASC’s annual Youth Action Summit of California (YASC).

With one in five students dropping out of California high schools, the need to educate high-school students to turn them into true leaders couldn’t be more urgent.

80-Day Tour in Honor of the United Nations “International Year of Youth” Addresses Widespread Abuses of Children’s Human Rights

UNICEF reports that 40 million children below the age of 15 suffer from abuse and neglect, while the USA National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse cites 3 million new reports of child abuse or neglect every year.