Youth for Human Rights Summit Celebrates Universal Declaration on Human Rights

Portland, OR: Youth for Human Rights International Portland chapter Summit on Hunger addressed core issues affecting the disenfranchised and underprivileged population while utilizing the Universal Declaration on Human Rights as a guide to solving this rampant problem. The event was sponsored by the Church of Scientology of Portland.

Over two dozen people including five youths from the Seattle Chapter of Youth for Human Rights listened to and participated with a variety of speakers including Dr. Catherine Thomasson, Oregon Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility and John Elizadle, director for NorthEast Emergency Food Program.

Kate Leach, a history major at Portland State University and member of the Portland chapter, opened the conference with a talk on article 25 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. She said, "Per Article 25, all people are entitled to a bed and some food. We all have a right to a good life. Mothers and children, people who are old, unemployed or disabled, are all people who have the right to be cared for."

Charles Mann, youth leader of the Portland Chapter, stated, "Continuing this dialogue is of vital importance for the eventual solving of the hunger problem. That youth continue to be interested in being part of the solution instead of part of the problem speaks highly for their potential future achievements."

The spokesperson for the Seattle chapter, Alex Vineyard, discussed Seattle’s ongoing work to relieve hunger.

After the speakers had presented, the youths broke into brainstorming sessions to determine how they could be active in directly working to end the hunger problem.

Youth for Human Rights International is governed by a key statement by renowned philosopher and humanitarian, L. Ron Hubbard: "Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.