Youth for Human Rights Celebrates 25 Years of Human Rights Education
Youth for Human Rights International looks back on its 25th anniversary, at its many accomplishments in educating youth about their 30 basic human rights.
In January 2001, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) was born to teach youth about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Growing up in apartheid South Africa, President and Founder Dr. Mary Shuttleworth witnessed the devastating effects of human rights violations. She knew educating youth was the key to stopping such atrocities.
In October 2001, YHRI launched an essay contest for youth ages 8 to 18. Winners from Hungary, the Czech Republic and Austria received a trip to Geneva to accept their awards at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
In 2002, YHRI’s first publication was the booklet What Are Human Rights?, which simplifies the UDHR’s 30 articles into words anyone can understand. The same year, YHRI joined the Church of Scientology for a “Multathlon”—a multi-sport marathon—with athletes carrying a torch for freedom and teaching youth and adults about their human rights across eight European countries. YHRI then held similar Multathlons in Los Angeles in 2002 and 2003.
In 2004, YHRI held its first International Human Rights Summit at the United Nations in New York, which has now grown to an international movement that has drawn Youth Delegates from 120 nations. During the same year, it also held its first YHRI World Educational Tour, with Dr. Shuttleworth traveling to 13 countries, working with schools, universities, officials and religious leaders on human rights education. She has since traveled more than 650,000 miles—introducing the campaign to more than 1,200 leaders across various sectors in 82 countries.
In 2019, the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates awarded Dr. Shuttleworth and YHRI the Peace Summit Medal for Social Activism in recognition of their work to educate youth on the importance of human rights.
In 2025, YHRI held the 19th International Human Rights Summit at the United Nations in New York. A total of 50 Youth Delegates from 40 nations took a stand to reaffirm the principles enshrined in the UDHR.
And these are just a few highlights of YHRI’s 25 years of dedicated work teaching human rights in over 190 nations and reaching over 700 million people across the world.
Find out more about Dr. Shuttleworth and Youth for Human Rights at Scientology.TV/MShuttleworth.
TAKING ACTION
A Year to Celebrate. A Year to Act.
As Youth for Human Rights International celebrates 25 years since it began, it’s your turn to make this anniversary year unforgettable. Every human rights activity you organize builds awareness and encourages communities to protect the rights of all.
The world needs people like you to stand up and educate others. Take action now. Teach human rights in schools, your community or even to local officials. Hold contests, concerts or events that spark awareness and creativity. Launch petition drives to make human rights education mandatory in your area. Each effort amplifies a movement that has already empowered millions.
Your voice can be the one that inspires someone to stand up, speak out and protect the rights of all. Make 2026 the year human rights take center stage.
Take action in your area and join the worldwide movement.
SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS
Join the international human rights movement by becoming a member of United for Human Rights and donate today. UHR assists individuals, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in all parts of the world to raise awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
