Declaration of the 2000 Student Conference
on Human Rights

December 8, 2000

We the youth of the international community affirm on this day,

As 30% of the world’s population, the rights of youth must be taken into serious consideration, because as future leaders, we are entitled to special care and require special protection to assure our development and education.

Recognizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its efforts in proclaiming that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

That the international community, including United Nations officials, national governments, and adults at large, must work to actualize the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the following ways:

1. The acknowledgement of special rights for every human being below the age of eighteen years.
   
   
2. That youth be provided with:
1. food and nutrition;
2. fresh water
3. adequate shelter
4. health care
5. freedom of religion and speech.
   
   
3. In an effort to end the participation of youth in all wartime, post-war, or other aggressive military efforts, including training of child soldiers, youth should be afforded the right to:
1. be free from the devastative effects of landmines;
2. "play" in a peaceful society;
3. be free from the harmful effects of drugs
   
   
4. The right to (basic primary and higher) education to all youth regardless of race, religion, sex, and creed. That education will include the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and it shall promote understanding, tolerance, and friendship amongst everyone.
   
   
5. The right of youth to freely express themselves to their nation’s or locally elected officials, and to participate in a leadership role which would advocate the principles, conferences, declarations, and work of the United Nations system.
   
   
6. That Agenda 21, with its emphasis on environmental, economic, and social concerns, should be applied and fully implemented, especially regarding sustainable development. That every country makes sustainable development a prominent issue in everyone’s agenda, so in the future we continue to have a healthy planet to live in.
   
   
7. An end to the exploitations of youth in any way, but particularly in a sexual manner.
   
   
8. An end to racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance in all its forms for all human beings.
   
   
9. That the youth of the international community, who are employed, be fairly and equitably compensated and treated for the work they are doing.
   
   
10. Establishment of a criminal justice system that recognizes differences between youth and adults. This system will ensure that separate facilities of incarceration are provided for youth and adults. Under no circumstances shall anyone implement Capital Punishment on any child.
    
    
11. That the international community recognizes the human rights of youth, women, and men, and minority populations.
    
    
12. That every country ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child given the importance of human rights.
    
    
13. Create a body of youth, which will meet annually in the spirit of human rights, to fulfill our responsibilities and duties as young people and to continue this commitment to promoting rights for youth.
    
    
14. Encourages the United Nations member-states to have youth representatives on their General Assembly delegations each year.