human right important links

Since its adoption in 1989 after more than 60 years of advocacy, the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified more quickly and by more governments (all except Somalia and the US) than any other human rights instrument. Its basic premise is that children (all human beings below the age of 18) are born with fundamental freedoms and the inherent rights of all human beings.

Many governments have gone even further, enacting legislation, creating mechanisms and putting into place a range of creative measures to ensure the protection and realisation of the rights of those under the age of 18.

Nevertheless, as UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, said: "The principle of ‘all children, all rights’ is still much too far from being a reality."

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law...

BROWSE THROUGH THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHT

CHECK OUT THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT'S HUMAN RIGHT

HUMAN RIGHTS LIBRARY

Builds the capacity of youth community leaders, providing leadership
training, community organizing, etc., in cities across the United States

A non-profit organization that educates, inspires and empowers young people to join forces for social justice and environmental sanity.

An organization that provides resources to young people
working to create change in their own communities.

Founded by Craig Keilburger in 1995, when he was 12. It has chapters of young people in the US, Canada and around the world. Their goal is to free children from oppressive working conditions.

: Forefront is an international non-profit network that supports and strengthens the work of young leaders by helping them gain skills and resources, share strategies, communicate with the international community, bring visibility to their work, respond to crises, and share opportunities

An international collaboration among youth and youth-serving organizations to share information, resources and solutions. Its purpose is to promote greater youth engagement

: An impartial, neutral and independent organization whose exclusively humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal violence and to provide them with assistance

Created web sites of some of the leading US-based youth leadership organizations. Its own web site offers a set of interactive tools for young people and young activists.