Youth Groups Address Human Rights and Darfur

On the sunniest Saturday of the year, my colleague Aiesha and I opened the doors for two Coming of Age groups visiting UUSC. The energy and compassion of these young people always astounds us. But before their arrival today, with Boston looking like a picture-book and its tourist sites beckoning, I wondered if talking about human rights in a conference room could hold the attention of 13- and 14-year-olds. Well, it certainly did.

We enjoyed a far-reaching discussion with 23 youth and 10 adult leaders from Central Unitarian Church in Paramus, N.J., and the BuxMont UU Fellowship in Warrington, Pa. It was the first time we've hosted two groups at once, and it was a pleasure seeing them meet each other.

We talked about human rights in theory and in practice and how it's up to all of us to stand up for them. We enjoyed playing a game that helps the youth understand the scope (and limitations) of these rights. Next, we studied the origins of and the hope advanced in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

To get more concrete about human rights and what happens when they are overrun, we turned to Darfur, watching some of UUSC's documentary, "Heroes of the Spirit: Genocide Then, Genocide Now."

The youth were invited to write letters urging President Bush to implement the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act. The letters were unscripted and simply amazing, providing a boost of morale on Monday for all of us here working on the issue.

One letter read:

"Dear President Bush, As you are undoubtedly well aware, the crisis in Darfur has escalated beyond the point of the realm of human imagination. It has grown out of control with the merciless slaughtering of thousands of innocents. . . . Please hear not just my voice, but the thousands that want you to take action and help right the wrongs currently being ignored in one of the world's bloodiest places, Darfur. Thank you."

These letters from 13- and 14-year-olds will go to the White House in order to make a difference. Aiesha and I left on Saturday exhilarated by the brainy and caring youth from these two great congregations. We have a good feeling about the generation coming up behind us.

If you would like to bring your youth group to UUSC for human rights education and an action, please contact us.