Going Global

The 9th International
Human Rights Summit

Shariqa Habib

The representatives from different countries at the flag parade at IHRC, 2012.

A huge advantage of studying in an American university and living in a major European city is that, it gives me the flexibility to move around frequently and participate in many international events, representing Bangladesh. I have been involved with Global Changemakers, my sponsoring organisation, since 2009, when I participated in the 4th Annual Global Youth Summit in London. Since then, Global Changemakers has provided me with many opportunities to participate in international events and represent my country.

The 9th International Human Rights Summit was a three day event from September 7-9, 2012, which took place in Brussels, Belgium. This event was organised by the organisation known as the Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI). YHRI is a nonprofit organisation funded in 2001 by Dr Mary Shutleworth. The purpose of YHRI is to teach youth about human rights, specifically the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and inspire them to become advocates for tolerance and peace.

	Shariqa speaking at the summit. Courtesy

The first day of the three day event was the International Human Rights Summit, which consisted of a flag parade, guest speakers speeches, and a plenary debate and ended with the YHRI Human Rights Hero Awards 2012. In the flag parade, youth representatives from 30 different nations were present and, very proudly, represented their country by raising their flags. Also, the youth delegates from each country spoke about their work in the field of human rights in their respective countries. I participated as a representative of Global Changmakers and was honoured to represent Bangladesh as well. The second day of the summit was the Human Rights Workshop, where different experts held sessions on how to promote one's work and activism in a more effective manner. And the last day of the summit was the Inter-Religious Conference for Peace, where leaders from different religions came together to discuss how to promote religious peace through peaceful dialogues.

This event was an amazing networking opportunity where I got to meet human rights activists from all around the world. I also was able to broaden my knowledge on human rights and learned how to work in unfavourable environments. It is always a pleasure to meet such enthusiastic youth and inspiring individuals. And all of this has been possible only because of the help and support from Global Changemakers and I am thankful for the faith they have shown in me.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ray Charles

Composer and musician Ray Charles Robinson was born on 23 September 1930 (he turns 74 today!). In his early years, Charles showed a curiosity for mechanical things and he often watched the neighbourhood men working on their cars and farm machinery. His musical curiosity was sparked at Mr Wiley Pit's Red Wing Cafe when Pit played boogie woogie on an old upright piano. Charles started to lose his sight at the age of five. He went completely blind by the age of seven, apparently due to glaucoma. He attended school at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St Augustine from 1937 to 1945, where he developed his musical talent. During this time he performed on WFOY radio in St Augustine. In school, Charles was taught only classical music, but he wanted to play the jazz and blues he heard on the family radio. While at school, he became the school's premier musician. When his mother died in 1946, Charles was 15 years old and didn't return to school. He lived in Jacksonville with a couple who were friends of his mother. For over a year, he played the piano for bands at the Ritz Theatre in LaVilla, earning $4 a night. Then he moved to Orlando, and later Tampa, where he played with a southern band called The Florida Playboys. This is where he began his habit of always wearing sunglasses, made by designer Billy Stickles!

Information Source: Internet