February 19, 2010

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, New York – The Seventh Annual Youth for Human Rights International World Tour launched Friday, February 19, with a human rights education panel hosted by Rev. Wilfred Tyrrell, Associate Academic Dean of Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York.

The theme of this year's World Tour is the United Nations International Year of Youth, which has as one of its objectives the promotion of "the ideals of peace, respect for human rights and freedoms, and solidarity."

For the next three months, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) president and founder Dr. Mary Shuttleworth of Los Angeles will meet with heads of state, leaders and educators in 15 countries to promote human rights education.

Friday's panel addresses the vital role of human rights education in raising awareness of fundamental human rights. Panelists included Dr. Daniel Nanjira, former Kenyan Ambassador and now Professor of History at Manhattanville; Dr. Shuttleworth; Ms. Ann Marie Almeida, Director of the Global Student Leadership Program; Mr. Osagie Okoruwa, Youth for Human Rights, Nigeria; Mr. Nico Papaheraklis, Youth for Human Rights, Washington, DC; and Ms. Tracie Morrow, Public Affairs Director for Youth for Human Rights International.

Throughout the world tour, Dr. Shuttleworth will introduce educators, human rights advocates and youth to educational materials created in collaboration with the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International. Designed to present the subject of human rights in multimedia formats suitable for all ages, the materials include "The Story of Human Rights," a documentary video that illustrates the history of human rights through the ages; booklets; public service announcements that educate youth and adults on the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and teaching aids that include a study guide, activities manual and educator's classroom kit.

On this year's world tour, Dr. Shuttleworth will visit Portugal, Brazil, Croatia, Ecuador, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Japan, Macedonia, Mexico, Panama, Serbia, South Africa, Swaziland and Taiwan.

YHRI was established in 2001 to teach youth around the world about human rights so they become advocates for tolerance and peace. Since 2004, the annual YHRI World Tours has traveled to more than 80 countries and reached hundreds of thousands of youth.

To find out more about Youth for Human Rights International, visit http://www.youthforhumanrights.org/.

Youth for Human Rights International