Empower. Unite. Transform. Youth Delegates Gather at the
18th International Human Rights Summit in New York

The 18th International Human Rights Summit kicked off with a display of youthful passion and advocacy as 50 Youth and Senior Delegates from 34 nations—joined by over 400 government officials, educators and human rights advocates from around the world—gathered at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Their arrival was met with a standing ovation from the attendees, reflecting collective respect for their commitment to human rights. The delegates, selected from a large pool of applicants based on their stellar track records in advocating for human rights, didn’t just come for praise. Their main purpose was to expand their knowledge and skills to advance their goals.

Fr. James Channan OP participated in the Human Rights Summit on 19 September,2024. The human rights of all must be respected and ensured by all 193 member countries of the United Nations. Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, President and Founder of United for Human Rights and its sister organization Youth for Human Rights International, has been spearheading the summits since they began in 2004. She praised the delegates for their accomplishments and future potential, underscoring the significance of their ongoing work. “So young and old alike, together, we empower, unite, transform and drive change through human rights education,” she said. “Education is like throwing someone a lifeline in a storm. It can be used to defend against the storm.” Ambassadors of the Permanent Missions to the UN of Timor-Leste, the United States, the Bahamas, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Australia and the Democratic Republic of Congo welcomed the delegates and congratulated them for their advocacy. “People have tossed around all kinds of ideas for how to modernize the United Nations. But for me, there’s one solution that’s non-negotiable: we need more young people in the rooms where decisions get made,” said Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, United States Ambassador to the United Nations, in her remarks. “But more than that, we need more young people helping to make those decisions…. And I know so many of my generation cannot wait to see all of the extraordinary things you do to make our future a better place.