On Nelson Mandela Day (July 18), the 18th annual Human Rights Summit kicked off at the United Nations. Representatives and ambassadors attended from more than 50 countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bolivia, Bahamas, Sri Lanka, and the U.S. The summit was organized by the Church of Scientology and United for Human Rights (UHR), and hosted by the Permanent Mission of Timor-Leste to the UN.
In her statements, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the need for world leaders to listen to their youth.
“We need more young people in the rooms where decisions are being made,” Greenfield said. “You’re thinking critically about diversity, equity and inclusion, and justice, pushing us all to be better advocates and allies to the most marginalized among us.”
The summit also celebrated the work of the Youth Delegates, a group of young activists from the Youth for Human Rights international program of the UHR. It was founded by international human rights educator and Scientologist Mary Shuttleworth.
One of the youth delegates celebrated was Mohammad Diallo, 32, who represents Guinea. He is a human rights attorney and runs a nonprofit organization, the Amedine International Citizens Center, that provides educational resources and job training to young people in developing countries. Diallo said his mission is to provide young Africans with opportunities in their countries and curb the high number of deaths in migration in the Mediterranean Sea. According to the International Organization for Migration, around 29,984 migrants have gone missing during their route over the Mediterranean.
“It’s so vital that we get involved now,” Diallo said about leaders of all generations working together to create change.
Other panels included discussions about applying human rights through law, education, arts, and media.
