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POP Movement’s Senior Mentor Speaks at the UN Headquarters during the 17th International Human Rights Youth Summit
July 7, 2023
“At the POP Movement, we have a tagline that reads: Youth Inspired by Knowledge. And that is on a fundamental basis that we use education around the issue of human rights and involve all those communities that are at the forefront of these issues we’ve been talking about over here in identifying the issues and being part of the solution.”
POP Senior Mentor Dr. Ash Pachauri and POP Honorary Distinguished Mentor, Dra. Norma Muñoz joined the 17th annual International Human Rights Youth Summit held at the United Nations HQ, New York on July 7, 2023. The three-day summit was organized by Youth for Human Rights International in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste to the United Nations, and leading NGOs. The 2023 Summit brought the importance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and human rights education to the attention of the UN member states, educators, youth, and civil society actors. President José Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste addressed the assembly in a virtual presentation thanking the youth for carrying the torch toward the ideals of human rights for all.
During the summit, Dr. Ash Pachauri was invited to a panel session titled, “The Right to Human Rights Education” alongside Enzo Di Taranto, Founder, XZEN.TV, Former Head, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Haiti; Ira Helfand, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), Nobel Laureate; Harold D’Souza, Co-Founder, Eyes Open International, Monica Arevalo Zenarosa, Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights, Philippines; and Dr. Tigist Teshiwas Engdaw, International Consultant in Peace and Security. Through these experts, the panel approached the concepts and operational aspects of human rights education. It reiterated that Human Rights belong to both individuals and society as a whole, and that the responsibility to respect, defend, and promote human rights is both individual and collective. This includes the responsibility and the courage of states to provide proper education on human rights, specifically on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Key features of the annual International Youth Summit included speeches, panel discussions, and workshops by advocates who are using human rights education and the UDHR to improve the state of human rights, resolve conflicts, foster gender equality, and address other issues such as human trafficking in their countries. Youth Delegates from more than 80 countries were joined by officials and advocates from around the world who work for equality and justice through human rights education. In this context, international partnerships and friendships were formed to carry the work forward after the Summit. The Summit also featured the Human Rights Hero Awards, acknowledging those who have raised the bar through their courage and determination bringing human rights to reality in their respective communities.
About Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI):
Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 with the purpose of inspiring youth to become advocates for peace and equality through education on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With over 200 chapters and educational materials translated into 27 languages, YHRI brings the message of human rights to 195 nations.
