Speakers at an annual program said making human rights a reality is important to have a more peaceful world. Therefore, we need to teach our youths about their human rights so that they become advocates for tolerance and peace. Also, we all need to be aware about our rights and make people aware about human rights by using all media, specially social media.

Titled "Human Rights in Times of Crisis", the program was addressed among others by Youth for Human Rights International Washington DC Chapter President Azhar Haq, U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights Founder Isabelle Vladoiu; abd Executive Director of Church of Scientology National Affairs Office Beth Akiyama. The program was organized in partnership between the Church of Scientology, Youth for Human Rights Washington DC Chapter and the U.S. Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights yesterday.

The program was held in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  

Azhar Haq said "We came together with other organizations to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to recommit ourselves to continue our work of increasing human rights awareness. He presented the various activities conducted this year to educate youth on their human rights. 

Isabel Vladoiu said we all want to make sure that human rights are based on the belief that every individual possesses inherent dignity. And irrespective of your background, irrespective of what country, what culture we are coming from, we need to promote the idea that everyone needs to be treated with respect. She said, human rights are based on the principle of respect for any individual's right. Human rights are important because of freedom and liberty. So human rights ensure that individuals have the rights and freedom of thought, expression and belief. She said, it's also important because of equality and nondiscrimination. Human rights advocate for equality and prohibit discrimination on basis of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and other factors.

She said human rights play a crucial role in promoting social justice. By addressing issues like social justice issues such as poverty, inequality and discrimination, they aim to ensure that everyone has access to basic necessities, education, health care, and economic opportunities. And now here they'll say, okay, Isabel, that not everyone has access to, let's say, a good job or good housing or that that's the goal, right? So in a country or in a place where human rights are flourishing and prospering, then that country is well developed.

"I want you to know that this year we celebrate, and you've seen on the main screen saver of this session, we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. So that means 75 years ago, leaders around the world came together to discuss about human rights and decide, these are the rights that we universally believe that should be respected by everyone. My question to you is, what do we do to actually continue to promote those rights, right? So let's just kind of like get away of promoting the crisis itself and promoting the importance of human rights to solving those crisis or even preventing those crises. That's the message," she added.

Beth Akiyama said such an event is important as we need to make people aware of their human rights - exactly what they are, not as just a vague term. There are 30 universal human rights, meaning they apply to all people universally. She said, with over 8 billion people on the planet now, it is understandable that all don't know their human rights, but this is exactly why we all must take action at the grassroots level to educate ourselves and others on what these rights are. When people know their human rights, they are made more confident and certain, and they treat others with greater respect and understanding. "It is going to take a lot of voices reaching out to make human rights a reality everywhere," she added.

Later a panel question and answer session was also held.

People of all walks of life attended the program.