Youth For Human Rights International World Tour 2009

Los Angeles, CA
21 March 2009

Where, after all, do Universal Rights begin?

"In small places, close to home—so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere." —Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt

In honor of the 60th Anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights we will circle the globe in our sixth annual World Tour, to celebrate the outstanding work that has been done and inspire further dissemination, promotion and reading of this important document in educational institutions around the globe.

The purpose of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is to teach youth about human rights—specifically, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights—and inspire them to become lifelong advocates for tolerance and peace.

The YHRI World Tours of 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 traveled to almost 70 countries, presenting our human rights education programs to heads of state, leaders and educators as well as youth in universities, schools, hospitals, juvenile detention centers and orphanages.

The YHRI World Tour 2008 circled the globe to Haiti, Venezuela, Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Pakistan and Taiwan. The media followed and shared stories of visits with dignitaries, officials, religious and community leaders and youth. New friends were made and collaborations formed to take human rights education to a new level.

To date, these tours have touched the lives of millions, both through direct meetings and media coverage of our activities. YHRI presently has more than 180 chapters and groups around the world, and ongoing YHRI education projects in lands as diverse as Australia, Canada, Denmark, Guyana, India, Japan, Morocco, Puerto Rico, South Africa and the USA. It is indeed time to celebrate our accomplishments and draw strength for the work yet to come.

The YHRI World Tour 2009 will include Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Colombia, Jordan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Uganda and the USA. Meetings with dignitaries and leaders as well as community events will be held in every country. Additionally, our activities will be captured on video and in photographs for further promotion of the tour.