International Human Rights Summit at United Nations

The Institute of Public Policy and Diplomacy Research (IPPDR) participated in the 19th International Human Rights Summit at the United Nations Headquarters from July 24th to 26th while concurrently advancing peace education in Mexico.

So, how relevant can this be to you and your loved ones? Please read on as we explore how you can make a meaningful contribution to a more peaceful world.

United for Human Rights and its youth initiative, Youth for Human Rights International, organised the summit at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The theme, Human Rights Education for Peace, brought together youth representatives, diplomats, educators, and civil society members from around the world to emphasize the importance of teaching the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in communities and institutions.

IPPDR delegates participated in the summit to reaffirm the organization’s longstanding commitment to peace education, human rights, and inter-institutional dialogue. Their presence represented a consistent and credible voice for inclusive governance, educational access, and ethical leadership at the global level.

“Peace cannot exist without human rights, and human rights cannot be realized without education,” stated an IPPDR representative. Our work in Mexico and our participation in New York reflect a unified vision.

Parallel Engagement, One Mission

While delegates attended the UN summit in New York, IPPDR was simultaneously leading the Youth Summit on Peace and a Sustainable Future: A Collaboration for a Better World in Mexico City, where over 50 countries participated virtually and in person.

At that summit, youth signed the Declaration of Mexico, which builds upon the 2024 Declaration of Montpellier and includes new elements such as transparency, accountability, and multi-sector collaboration.

The two events underscored the Institute’s integrated approach to diplomacy, development, and education. The declaration in Mexico calls for practical cooperation between youth, civil society, academia, and governments. It emphasizes clear responsibilities in areas such as:

Peace education in national curricula, youth participation in decision-making, climate justice and sustainability, the ethical use of technology, safety, and dignity for youth in all spaces.

A Consistent Commitment to Education and Dialogue

The International Human Rights summit served as a platform to strengthen global support for teaching the 30 Articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The summit included workshops and testimonies on human rights education in schools, the impact of early learning on peaceful societies, and the importance of cross-cultural understanding.

Further emphasis was placed on the need for voluntary local or national reviews of Sustainable Development Goals and Human Rights implementation. These reviews provide a rich grassroots knowledge base with authentic perceptions and lived realities of indigenous people, highlighting areas for improvement.

Action for human rights is not a choice but a responsibility that awaits us to take a solid stand in implementation. By joining the summit, we (IPPDR) reaffirm our core principles and emphasize that sustainable peace cannot be separate from the daily protection of rights and the knowledge needed to defend them.