Skits educating the audience about Human Rights had people both laughing and thinking at the same time, as they were entertained by a message of the importance of Human Rights and the rights of children, with original skits as the opening acts of the Broadway Musical, “Annie Jr.” at the Francis Wilson Playhouse Theater, on August 8, produced by International Youth Theater for the benefit of Youth for Human Rights Florida.

Youth for Human Rights Florida educates both in and out of the classroom on human rights as laid out in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. “Outside the classroom educating someone about a human right has unlimited possibilities,” says Dustin McGahee, President of Youth for Human Rights Florida. “The Human Rights skits highlight children’s rights in a new wave of art in the combining of kids educating kids about people’s rights and the arts.”

These lessons in human rights were entertaining and funny, in a presentation of three original skits. Arianna Lorenzini and Martina Zerbo relayed the first message that The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights created this declaration to give rights to all people everywhere, just because they are human. “The Right to Play”, the subject of the second skit, is a right taken for granted by many, but is a right many children across the world don’t get to experience in their everyday lives. The final skit had the audiences rolling with laughter as Jonathan Schneider and Matt Beck fought for human rights and ended with peace and tolerance for all.

As humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard stated, "Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream". Youth for Human Rights Florida, is a non-profit group that works in the belief that the education of human rights will make these rights a reality, and in support of the United Nations' intention to educate the world on these rights. In 1948, it called upon member countries to make the Declaration known and "to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories."

Despite the ongoing efforts of many, more than 60 years later, the Declaration is still not a required part of the curriculum of schools across the world, and isn't required learning in the state of Florida.

International Youth Theater, located in Clearwater, Florida, has the mission assisting the development of young artist while enlightening them on their abilities and responsibilities to help improve human rights around the world.

To volunteer at Youth for Human Rights Florida, contact Dustin McGahee, President, at  DustinM@YHRTB.org or visit www.YHRTB.org.