Human Rights Close to Home Youth Summit

January 9, 2024
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
In Person - UConn Storrs

A large group of students and teachers from the Human Rights Close to Home program gathered in discussion.

About the Youth Summit

We are pleased to announce the third annual Human Rights Close to Home Youth Summit! This one-day summit is designed by youth for youth and convenes high school students, activists, and allies from around Connecticut to learn and mobilize as a community. It will take place on Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at the University of Connecticut Storrs Campus.

The Youth Summit is part of Human Rights Close to Home (HRCH), which is an innovative three-year pilot program that engages educators and youth in the development and implementation of human rights education. Its goal is to encourage civic action to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights in our Connecticut communities and beyond. The Youth Summit is created and led by the HRCH Youth Advisory Team. This event is a one-day educational space for young activists and allies from around Connecticut to come together to learn about, for, and through human rights. 

At past HRCH youth summits, in May 2022 and January 2023, we gathered students from a diverse range of Connecticut high schools for an engaging day of hands-on workshops and guest speakers. Our goal at each youth summit is to provide powerful learning experiences that enable and encourage attendees to take action for human rights back in their local communities. 

Throughout the day at the 2024 Youth Summit, students and educators will participate in workshops and activities designed by youth and will interact with a wide range of speakers, from fellow youth activists to professional human rights advocates.

Students & Teachers - Register Now!

Interested in attending the HRCH Youth Summit? Register by Friday, December 8, 2023.

At this time, the Youth Summit is open only to Connecticut high school students and teachers.

If you are an educator and need transportation assistance for you and your students, we are happy to help.

Please direct any questions to the HRCH Youth Advisory Team Co-Coordinators:

Submit A Student Presentation Proposal

Interested in presenting your human rights work at the Youth Summit? Submit a proposal today using the Call for Presentation Proposals Form.

For help in designing your proposal please view the Youth Summit Presentation Proposal Guide.

Michelle Walker (CT Immigration Refugee Coalition), Terra Volpe (CT Against Gun Violence) and Shirin Unvala (Youth Leader) speaking on human rights leadership panel moderated by members of the HRCH Youth Advisory Team
Students creating human rights demonstration signs & art in a hands-on workshop
Students enjoy learning about human rights values playing The Human Rights Game

HRCH Youth Advisory Team

Natalie Andruchow, Center for Global Studies High School
Vivian Balazs, Center for Global Studies High School
Lilly Coleman, Manchester High School
Emily Cummins, Brookfield High School
Olivia Feliz, Brookfield High School
Donna Gurung, Conard High School
Jawahir Mohamed, Conard High School
Leah Owusu, Rockville High School
Arianna Sanchez, Rockville High School
Adelae Schlegelmilch, Manchester High School
Shirin Unvala, Center for Global Studies High School
Sara Zamakhchari, Rockville High School

HRCH Youth Advisory Team Coordinators

Chris Buckley, Social Studies Teacher, Brookfield High School
Melissa Chioreso, Graduate Assistant, Human Rights Close to Home
Jake Skrzypiec, Social Studies Teacher, Manchester High School

 

Human Rights Close to Home (HRCH) is an initiative of Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs, a part of the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute at UConn. HRCH would not be possible without the vision and support of Senator Christopher Dodd, Shari Redstone, and the Redstone Family Foundation.

Learn more about HRCH on our homepage.