Conclusion

It’s hard to believe that the world tour is over! In less than two months, we covered twelve countries, met with hundreds of people, held many events, and expanded Youth for Human Rights International enormously. From major dignitaries to orphaned children, we met with people from all walks of life and that is what it’s all about!

The yearly world tour is an essential component of our programs for several reasons. Firstly, it establishes exciting new partnerships with governments, NGOs, community groups, influential individuals and the media. This allows education and enforcement of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights to grow very rapidly. We have found that meeting with people face-to-face is extremely valuable and can accomplish more than a chain of emails ever could! We also get to learn the specific issues of each place we visit and that helps us to determine what programs and materials will be most effective in those areas. It also allows people to communicate to us directly and ask important questions about our mission and the incredible document we promote.

The World Tour is also simply a lot of fun! Every stop along the way brings something new and exciting. We try to stay with local families wherever possible and we make it a point to really experience the culture of each place. This brings us closer to people and people closer to us, and that makes for a much richer experience. We can walk away from each country feeling like we got a true taste for what it is like and not just a tourist’s snapshot of some small attraction. It is also really wonderful to get to know the local Youth for Human Rights groups in each country. We help each other out and learn from each other in each place. And we make new friends everywhere we go!

We could not have asked for more successful tour this year. We were able to gain the support of several United Nations groups, multiple government officials, scores of community leaders, and thousands of individuals. In nearly every country, we held a Youth for Human Rights event and were covered extensively in the press, from newspapers in Barbados to national television in East Timor! With each stop, the momentum and success of Youth for Human Rights International grows, and thus education and respect of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights improves, step by step.

Though this is sadly the end of the 2009 world tour, it’s accomplishments
will live on for a long time, and the 2010 tour is already looking like it will be every bit as exciting! So stay tuned for more great news and more exciting tours from Youth for Human Rights International.

Now please enjoy this video we made for the World Tour called “Sharing the World.” Our idea was to create something this year that linked all the tour stops together and connected youth from around the world. Let us know what you think!