Santosh khadka
New York, USA
Young Nepalese Women Environmentalist ( PhD student ), Rock singer/ Songwriter & Activist leads the way for change at the19th International Human Rights Summit at the United Nations NEW YORK (July 25, 2025) – The 19th International Human Rights Summit, currently underway at the United Nations Headquarters, has been marked by powerful calls to action against global injustices, from state-sanctioned discrimination to the looming threat of nuclear war. Yet, amid the impassioned speeches of veteran advocates and global leaders, one voice has emerged with unparalleled force and raw, lived experience: Nepal’s Ashra Kunwar, a youth delegate, from the heart of the planet’s greatest mountain range, the Himalayas.
Youth delegates from over 40 nations, alongside distinguished human rights advocates, convened at this three-day event, held under the theme,
“Education for Peace” Hosted by United for Human
Rights and Youth for Human Rights International, and sponsored by the Permanent Mission to the United Nations of Timor-Leste, with co-sponsorship from Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Bolivia and St. Kitts and Nevis, the Summit has fostered critical dialogue. However, it is
the deeply personal and often shocking narratives from youth leaders like Kunwar that have truly underscored the urgency of these global crises.
Kunwar captivated the audience with her passionate advocacy for education as a driver of peace, stemming from her frontline experiences. Her journey began in the hills of Arghakhanchi, where she witnessed human-wildlife conflict, and dangers from the lack of sufficient infrastructure to protect
her people from the conflict. She detailed her work in communities, including camera trapping systems and implementing educational programs, emphasizing that safety is a fundamental human right. Furthermore, Kunwar highlighted her grassroots initiative in Khokana, a village near Kathmandu, where she witnessed firsthand how climate change disproportionately impacts women as they are more involved in household work and need to travel to Raj kulo longer distance by themselves. Her project focused on empowering women through education, climate adaptation strategies, and creating income opportunities, leading to a recognition with the “Most Impactful Idea” award. As an
artist, Kunwar has effectively leveraged music to amplify these crucial issues, particularly through her song “Bodhibrikshya,
” which has become a powerful symbol of climate hope. Her artistic influence was further recognized in 2023 when she was named the Most Influential Rock Artist of Nepal.
Kunwar affirmed her current efforts to unify these diverse projects in Sandhikharka under acohesive framework centered on community resilience, gender justice, and environmental sustainability. She articulated her core belief that “Science gives us solutions. Art gives us soul. But it
is justice that must lead the way. ” She concluded by calling upon the summit attendees to “build
boldly, ” to uplift the voices of women, youth, and indigenous leaders, and to transform hope into concrete action, ensuring that human rights are not a distant dream but a promise delivered for all.
Through keynote speeches and raw panel discussions, youth leaders brought fresh urgency and
lived experience to issues such as state-sanctioned discrimination, and daily violence in vulnerable communities — while seasoned experts lent perspective, history and
hard-earned wisdom. Youth delegates shared how they are tackling these crises through grassroots education initiatives based on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), including the use of Youth for Human Rights’ public service announcements, booklets and educator
kits.
The event brought together an array of world-renowned human rights advocates, including:
●
H.E. Dr. Bertrand Ramcharan, former UN Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights,
who imparted his “seven great ideas” he thought should be taught to the young people of the
world: dignity, respect, equality, preservation of the environment, the right of development,
protection of women and girls and using technology in the service of humanity.
●
Dr. Ira Helfand, a senior member of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign
to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), warned that “the most fundamental human right is the
right to life — and today, that right is threatened as never before by the danger of nuclear
war. These terrible things do not have to happen — the choice is up to us.
”
●
Tebogo Joy Ngoma, granddaughter of Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu and
founder of Brave Hearts Multimedia, said of her grandfather,
“He taught me that justice and
joy are not opposites, but companions. That we must never become so righteous that we
lose our tenderness. And that silence in the face of injustice is never neutral… it is a choice.
”
The Summit highlighted the work of the youth delegates taking action to make human rights a lived
reality in their communities, including:
Eleonora Fiorella of Italy, Vice President of the Organization for Human Rights and Tolerance,
organizes “United for Human Rights” benefit concerts featuring celebrity performers to raise funds
for under-resourced schools in Ghana. She also promotes human rights through art in Milan schools
and organizes international conferences at the UN Palais des Nations, Geneva, each December for
Human Rights Day.
Ladislas Yassin Nkundabanyanga, of Rwanda, has reached more than 12,000 students through
his Clubs for Peace initiative. His work includes creative outreach like a Cycling for Human Rights
race and a 50-school football tournament, using sport and education to foster unity and
reconciliation among youth.
“This Summit is not just a platform for dialogue — it’s a springboard for action,
” said Dr. Mary
Shuttleworth, founder of United for Human Rights.
“Every year, the Summit proves that when youth,
distinguished officials, professors and lawyers from around the world come together to exchange
ideas, they build bridges, ignite movements and commit to action that drives lasting change for
human rights and peace — peace through education.
”
The Summit also presented the 2025 Human Rights Hero Award to individuals working on the front
lines: Manishwar Sharma Purmanund, Founder of Yeshua Fellowship in Mauritius; and Maggie
Ibañez, Executive Director of Youth for Human Rights Mexico. The Films for Humanity Award was
presented to filmmaker Taron Lexton for creating Youth for Human Rights documentaries and
public service announcements promoting the UDHR — seen on over 1,400 TV stations and viewed
by more than half a billion people worldwide.
The Church of Scientology and Scientologists support United for Human Rights and its youth
education program, making its materials and initiatives available free of charge to educators,
communities and governments worldwide.
“The UDHR wasn’t an afterthought — it is widely considered to be a foundational document of the
United Nations and its human rights work,
” said Beth Akiyama, Executive Director of the Church of
Scientology National Affairs Office.
“The founder of Scientology and humanitarian, L. Ron Hubbard,
recognized and emphasized the vital importance of the UDHR, whose 30 rights remain as vital today
as when authored in 1948. It’s crucial that these rights become second nature through education,
thus empowering youth and adults to build a better world.
”
To learn more about United for Human Rights, or to request free materials, visit
www.humanrights.com.
About United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights International
Founded in 2001, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is a nonprofit organization with the
mission to inspire young people to become advocates for equality and peace through education on
the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its parent organization, United for
Human Rights, operates globally with more than 150 chapters and materials translated into 27
languages, reaching people in 195 countries.
Media Contact:
Jesse Morrow
Media Relations – United for Human Rights
📞 (213) 676-4591
📧 jesse@humanrightssummit.com
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