Tampa, FL - According to UNICEF, 40 million children below the age of 15 suffer from abuse and neglect. Youth who do not know that they have rights are vulnerable. Education is key.

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

With this aim in mind, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) has teamed up with organizations including the African Diaspora Foundation, Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International and Village Suisse ONG for its annual international human rights conference, to be held in Geneva in honor of the United Nations International Year of Youth.

Such events were at first held in 2004 at the United Nations Headquarters and UNICEF House in New York and in Los Angeles in 2005. In 2006 the summit was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and in 2007 at the University of California in Los Angeles. In 2008 the summit was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York followed by the International Human Rights Summit 2009 hosted in Geneva. Participants have included delegates from all continents including delegates from countries such as Australia, Austria, Canada, Colombia, Congo, Egypt, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Liberia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Philippines, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Togo, Uganda, UK, USA, Venezuela and Zambia along with UN officials and UN country mission representatives, human rights and religious leaders, NGOs, local community activists and students.

The International Human Rights Summit will give the start to a three-day series of events. Outstanding contributions in the field of human rights will be acknowledged with the Human Rights Heroes Awards 2010. The following day youth will learn and discuss Human Rights Education at an interactive workshop. Sunday morning people from around the world will gather at the Inter-Religious Service for Peace.

As a tradition, youth will play a prominent role in the events, with young human rights activists attending from around the world to represent their countries.

Dustin McGahee, President of Youth for Human Rights Florida, this year will attend the Summit as Ambassador for the USA. McGahee became involved in educating others of their human rights as he is inspired to action by the words of humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”

Entrance to all events is free of charge to enable broad participation by young people and the community at large. Due to limited seating RSVP is needed as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Please contact genevasummit2010 (at) gmail.com. For further information visit www.youthforhumanrights.org.

Together we can enrich the lives of more youth, through the knowledge that they have human rights and responsibilities.

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