NEW YORK, NY, August 06, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ — Diplomats, educators, judges, legislators, law enforcement leaders, Nobel Peace Prize representatives, artists and youth delegates representing 82 nations gathered at United Nations Headquarters, Conference Room 2, on July 30–31 for the 2026 International Human Rights Summit, celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) under the theme “Education for Peace: A 25-Year Legacy.”
Hosted by Youth for Human Rights International and United for Human Rights, the Summit celebrated twenty-five years of advancing the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights while launching a renewed global commitment to expand human rights education worldwide.
Opening the Summit, Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, President of Youth for Human Rights International and United for Human Rights, challenged participants to transform inspiration into action by bringing human rights education into every school, community and nation. “Youth for Human Rights was founded on a simple but powerful belief: when young people understand their human rights, they become champions for the rights of others,” she said.
More than 550 participants were officially welcomed by H.E. Ambassador Dionísio de Costa Babo Soares, Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to the United Nations. Timor-Leste served as principal sponsor, joined by the Permanent Missions of Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Denmark, the Republic of Moldova and Saint Kitts and Nevis, with valued participation from the Permanent Missions of Mexico and Namibia.
International leaders demonstrated how human rights education is transforming societies. Speakers included Dr. Bertrand Ramcharan, former Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Ambassador Salah S. Hammad of the African Union, whose address was presented by Puseletso Adelinah Molato from the African Union Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations; Hon. Dr. José Antonio Michilini, Federal Judge of the Federal Oral Criminal Court in Buenos Aires; Rafael Freyre Martínez, former Undersecretary of Planning and Evaluation of Educational Policies in Mexico’s Ministry of Education; Julio Alberto Arreola Vázquez, Mayor of Pátzcuaro, Michoacán; and Congresswoman Brissa Ireri Arroyo Martínez of the State Congress of Michoacán, Mexico.
The Summit also showcased remarkable Nobel Peace Prize legacies. Dr. Ira Helfand represented the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organizations International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (1985) and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (2017). Dr. Ash Pachauri continued the legacy of his father, Dr. R.K. Pachauri, whose Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Dr. Seán P. Duffy represented the humanitarian legacy of Dr. Albert Schweitzer, recipient of the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize, while Tebogo Joy Ngoma of South Africa, granddaughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, reflected the enduring legacy of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate through her work for social change.
The second day opened with a moving traditional blessing by Dr. Queen Mother Delois Blakely, the “Community Mayor of Harlem” and Goodwill Ambassador to Africa at the United Nations, whose message set an inspiring tone for the day’s proceedings.
The arts also played an important role. Award-winning Mexican actress Fiona Palomo participated as a panelist, while acclaimed Indian actress Sheena Chohan, joined by fellow celebrities from India, delivered a powerful video message encouraging young people to become champions for human rights and peace.
The Summit centered on three international panel dialogues reflecting both the achievements of the past twenty-five years and the vision for the future.
“Human Rights Education: A Legacy of Change” honored Youth for Human Rights volunteers who have devoted ten years or more to teaching the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through schools, universities, police academies, government agencies and community organizations. Their dedication has earned them recognition as true Champions for Peace.
“Human Rights Education: Leadership and the Way Forward” brought together professors, non-governmental organizations, community leaders and law enforcement professionals who shared decades of practical experience demonstrating how human rights education strengthens institutions, builds trust and creates safer communities.
“Human Rights Education: Empowering the Next Generation” showcased youth delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, whose innovative ideas and vision confirmed that young people are already leading meaningful change throughout the world.
Four outstanding individuals were honored for exemplifying the transformative power of human rights education: Trish Duggan (USA), Founder of the Imagine Museum, for using art to promote peace and human dignity; Professor Ornella Castellano (Italy), Representative of the Il Veliero Parlante Network, for advancing human rights education through schools; H.E. Ambassador Ireneo Namboka, former United Nations Human Rights Adviser, for a lifetime of distinguished leadership in human rights and diplomacy; and Dr. Vineet Kapoor (India), Deputy Inspector General of Police, Madhya Pradesh Police, for integrating human rights education into law enforcement.
The Summit also celebrated partnerships that have enabled Youth for Human Rights International to grow into a worldwide movement active in more than 100 countries.
Congratulatory messages were received from governments, universities, police agencies and organizations worldwide. Among them was Mexico’s National Sports Commission (CONADE), whose message was presented by Director Karla Guadalupe Camacho Garciglia, highlighting the role of sport in promoting human dignity, respect and peace.
Support from the Church of Scientology and Scientologists around the world enables Youth for Human Rights to provide educational materials free of charge to educators, community groups and government agencies worldwide.
“L. Ron Hubbard said, ‘Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream,'” said Beth Akiyama, Executive Director of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office. “To make human rights a fact, every new generation must know and protect its own rights and the rights of others.”
As delegates departed New York, they carried home renewed determination to expand human rights education in their schools, communities and nations, united by the conviction that peace is built through knowledge, respect and shared responsibility.
Youth for Human Rights International now invites educators, governments, universities, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations and individuals everywhere to join the next chapter of this global movement.
After twenty-five years of educating millions around the world, the mission is more urgent than ever. The next twenty-five years begin today—and they begin with human rights education.
Youth for Human Rights International is the global educational initiative of United for Human Rights dedicated to teaching the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Through educational resources, teacher training and partnerships with governments, schools, law enforcement agencies and community organizations, the movement has inspired millions of people in more than 100 countries to become advocates for human dignity, justice and peace.
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