“Human rights is a global issue,” says Dr. Shuttleworth. “There is no single country that one can say is abusive. There are over 1.9 million children worldwide, under the age of 14 living with HIV/Aids. 776 million adults lack minimum literacy skills. Six million children in the last decade have been mutilated or tortured due to armed conflicts. Two- million children have been killed by the same devastating conflicts. It is up to every person to know their rights and defend the rights of others so that by the pursuit of human rights these conditions can change.”

Dr. Shuttleworth will spend several days in Bogota, Colombia before moving on to Cartagena and then to the next country on the World Tour 2009 itinerary. Dr. Shuttleworth cited the importance of Colombia as a country with a rich history of human rights heroes and a modern philosophy of human rights improvement.

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

"I was inspired to start YHRI by the words of humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard who said ‘human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream’. By traveling to the far corners of the world and meeting with like-minded people, groups and organizations, and working in collaboration, I believe we can truly make human rights a reality”. Ms. Shuttleworth said.

Believing in meeting with people in their own countries to observe the challenges they face and encourage their efforts, she has circled the globe each year since 2004, visiting some 70 countries, including various dignitaries, kings, heads of government, educators, students and officials of the United Nations and Commonwealth of Nations.

The organization now has nearly 200 affiliated clubs, groups and chapters spanning more than 80 countries around the world.

YHRI World Tour 2009 will visit Argentina, Barbados, Colombia, Jordan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, and Uganda.

To find out more about your rights visit www.youthforhumanrights.org.