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Florida Youth Wins International Human Rights Award

Denise McGahee | 14.09.2011 19:45

Geneva — Singer/songwriter Dustin McGahee received the Youth for Human Rights International “Hero Award”, at the 8th Annual Human Rights Youth Summit 2011, in Geneva, Switzerland. The award was given for his dedication to educate students about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and for the creation of the “International Walk for Human Rights”, where he organized thousands walking in 27 countries in commemoration of United Nations Human Rights Day.



McGahee said he campaigns for human rights education throughout Florida and across the world because, “If you look around you will see human rights violations in every country. Right here in our own schools youth are experiencing violations of their rights when they are being discriminated against, but it is called “bullying”. I like working in schools with students, but I knew I could reach more people by creating a walk where students and entire communities could unite to peacefully walk for human rights awareness. When people really understand human rights they not only stand up for their own rights, but they also respect the rights of others.”
The Governor of the State of Chiapas, Mexico, Juan Sabines Guerrero, also received the “Hero Award” for his work to incorporate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the new state constitution. As both Governor Guerrero and Dustin McGahee share a passion for human rights education, McGahee is going to Chiapas, Mexico, where he will perform in a charity concert.
McGahee closed the 2011 Human Rights Youth Summit with a live performance of his Human Right’s song “10,000 Voices” which had youth and diplomats alike standing up and singing along.
The 2011 Summit was co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Haiti; the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International; Village Suisse NGO/ECOSOC; the Ariel Foundation International; and the Youth for Human Rights Chapters of Geneva and Vaud, Switzerland. Youth for Human Rights International educates teachers, students and community groups about our 30 human rights with an award-winning educational program consisting of a youth-designed DVD of the 30 rights as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and “The Story of Human Rights” a powerful DVD that defines human rights of the past and today. To see these videos for free, or to receive a free educators guide go to: www.youthforhumanrights.org

Denise McGahee