On July 5-6, the International Union of Bilateral Chambers of Commerce and Industry co-sponsored The 15th Annual International Human Rights Summit. IUBCCI joined 88 youth delegates from 53 countries at the United Nations headquarters in New York in the iconic Economic and Social Council Chamber.
Other co-sponsors included: the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the UN, the Permanent Missions of Cyprus, Australia, and Romania.
Sadly, seven decades after the adoption of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, human rights abuse is rife in many areas of the globe, but the youths at the Summit were selected to represent their countries on the basis of their own human rights accomplishments toward making human rights a fact. The youth advocates were welcomed by the dignitaries and guests with a standing ovation.
The keynote speaker of the first day of the Summit was Brigadier General Alberto Sepúlveda, Commander of the Seventh Division, National Army of Colombia. General Sepúlveda spoke of the way his country has redefined what it means to serve in the military. They have provided education to all soldiers on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through the educational materials of United for Human Rights and its program for young people Youth for Human Rights International. He presented a slideshow showing the work of the Colombian armed forces to ensure the rights of all through their service in times of disaster and their human rights education initiative. His speech was included in the UN’s broadcast of the first day of the event.
The keynote speaker for the second day was His Excellency Luis Almagro, Secretary-General, Organization of American States and former Foreign Minister of Uruguay. An exemplary diplomat, he is an outspoken proponent for the rights of the people of Latin America.
To watch the morning session of the first day on the UN website click here.
We were extremely proud to co-sponsor this amazing event. We applaud the hard work and dedication that the Youth for Human Rights International has put to create and realize such an event.
