Congratulations on making the decision to start a Youth for Human Rights Club. Here are some basic steps you can take:
1. If you are not already familiar with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (and most people are not), read it as a first action. You will find an abridged version, as well as the full version, in the What Are Human Rights? booklet. If you do not have a copy of the booklet, you can obtain one here.
Make sure you fully understand each of the rights described in the 30 "articles" of the Universal Declaration. As you read through them, think of different times when you or others were allowed these rights and other times when they were ignored.
Watch the UNITED music video. It can be obtained from Youth for Human Rights International at www.youthforhumanrights.org. UNITED is a five-minute film that conveys a message that determination and non-violent confrontation is the best method of curbing violence and intolerance.
Go to the YHRI websites and get familiar with YHRI and its activities around the world.
Visit the UNITED website at www.unitedmusicvideo.org.
Browse the websites of two famous human rights organizations, Amnesty International (www.amnesty.org) and Human Rights Watch (www.hrw.org). These sites will help to brief you on major human rights issues in the world today.
Read all the elements in this starter pack—items you will need to get your club into action.
Now that you have some basic familiarity with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and key human rights issues, it is time to get started!
2. Discuss human rights with your friends and associates. Invite those who show an interest to start a human rights club. You don't need many people—two or three is enough at first.
3. Now that you have your club formed (i.e., active members who know their human rights, and who want to help others know and use their rights), go through the starter pack with them. You can download the pack below.
4. Start by expressing your views per Article 19 of the Universal Declaration—Freedom of Expression. Write a letter to your President or Prime Minister and tell him that you have formed a Youth for Human Rights Club that is devoted to teaching the Universal Declaration. Ask him for the government's position on the issue of human rights and the use of the Universal Declaration, and also ask him what you and your club members can do to help.
5. Look at the "Things Anyone Can Do for Human Rights" section in this starter pack and work out the next action that your club should do. Now get into action on this!
6. Finally, it is important that you let us know what you are doing so we can update the website with news from clubs around the world. Regularly fill out the success form you have in your Starter Pack and send it to us. We always love to hear from you. Remember you can also contact us for help, questions, ideas or just to share your thoughts. If you have any pictures of your club in action, please send them in to the President of Youth for Human Rights International, Mary Shuttleworth, at info@youthforhumanrights.org.
Youth for Human Rights International created human rights club starter packs for both adults and youth.
reproduced from Official Youth for Human Rights International
