2023-07-13 14:30:00
On July 6, 7 and 8, the 17th International Youth Summit on Human Rights was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, organized by Youth for Human Rights and United for Human Rights, in the framework of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a document that has marked the way for many in the search for a better world. The theme of the summit was: “Imagination. Equality. Dignity. Unit. – Youth making it a reality”. The focus was on the idea that youth is the engine and the best hope for living in fairer societies. During the Summit, Guillermo Whpei received the 2023 Human Rights Hero Award.
This award is an honorary recognition granted by Youth for Human Rights International (Youth for Human Rights International) to defenders and promoters of human rights, youth and adults, to recognize their commitment to the cause and spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human rights. The prize was first awarded in 2004 during the First Youth Summit for Human Rights, in order to recognize the laureates and convey the message that promoting and supporting the Universal Declaration is a vital activity, giving the example and inspiring others to do the same.
The Human Rights Hero Award can be given to young defenders and activists, who are part of the human rights program and activities that have made great achievements in the promotion and education of the Universal Declaration. This award is also given to renowned humanitarians who advocate for world rights and peace and who have been active in promoting the Universal Declaration.
The organizers highlighted Guillermo Whpei, through his International Museum for Democracy in Argentina, which is inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and has educated more than forty thousand students, planting a seed for a new culture of human rights in Latin America. For his part, Guillermo commented: “This award reaffirms that the work and commitment of so many years are the right path, and motivates us to continue defending all those who need it, to put on the agenda abuses that have been naturalized to the point of invisibility and join efforts with allied organizations like you, with whom it is a privilege to share the fight”.
During the second day, the panel “Youth making human rights a reality” was held. The 2011 Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training invites Member States to “implement human rights education and training, such as through its integration into school curricula and training.” Very few countries have made it happen, except Costa Rica, which passed legislation in 2021 requiring human rights education in schools, thus leading the way in making human rights part of the national fabric. Presenters were Guillermo Whpei, Braulio Vargas, Luis Alberto Zamora Romero, Jorge Luis Fonseca Fonseca, Ana Maria Upegui Cuartas, and Raúl Arias Pérez moderated.
Within the framework of the 40 uninterrupted years of democracy in Argentina, what this panel raised is one of the great debts that democracy owes to its citizens, but above all, to its youth. A society that ignores its rights cannot defend them. Little is said so much but less is known than human rights. And this is the first great challenge to identify 75 years following the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Civil society, academia and many other stakeholders must join forces to make the teaching of the Universal Declaration compulsory at all levels of schooling. This will allow young people to become active and critical citizens, will reinforce values such as empathy and solidarity, and will strengthen ties in the social fabric that are currently so damaged. The education in values that implies the teaching of the Universal Declaration, and of human rights in general, are the key to forging a new social contract.
Guillermo Whpei placed special emphasis on the fact that “the Universal Declaration was created to avoid a repetition of the atrocities of the Second World War. However, in these 75 years the world has seen and continues to see other atrocities. According to the latest World Bank estimates, 685 million people in the world continue to live in situations of extreme poverty. This is inadmissible. In our country, 40% of the population is below the poverty line. According to UNICEF estimates, two out of every three boys and girls in Argentina are poor.
Poverty and all that this implies: hunger, lack of decent housing, lack of education, lack of opportunities, lack of work or precarious jobs, slavery and all forms of human exploitation, are all human rights violations. Talking regarding educating on Human Rights may be the first step to begin to counteract these statistics and build a moral responsibility to do something regarding it.
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