University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo senior Josefina Pereira, who hails from Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor), was selected to represent her homeland as a Youth Delegate at the 14th Annual International Human Rights Summit held at the United Nations headquarters in New York in August.
The goal of the summit was to educate youth delegates, ambassadors, and observers about human rights, specifically United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and inspire us to become advocates for peace and tolerance.
“During the session, various distinguished guests (key note speakers), fellow youth delegates, youth ambassadors, observers from over 45 countries around the world were invited to share their thoughts and feelings regarding human rights issues in their home countries,” said Pereira, an administration of justice major. “I was also given the opportunity to share my very humble experiences and thoughts on children’s fundamental rights in Timor Leste on behalf of my country.”
“This was a great opportunity for Josefina, for Timor-Leste and for UH Hilo,” says Jim Mellon, director of UH Hilo International Student Services and Intercultural Education program.
“I was deeply inspired by each of the distinguished guests speakers and the youth delegates,” says Pereira.
For more read the full article at UH Hilo Stories.
—From UH Hilo Stories
—By Susan Enright
