The United for Human Rights US Conference 2026 convened 150 delegates in Washington, DC, for a two-day event focused on advancing human dignity through practical solutions and cross-sector collaboration. Hosted by Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) and the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR), the conference gathered professionals from human rights education, human trafficking prevention, veterans' advocacy, and community protection.
The opening session took place inside the United States Congress, setting the stage for discussions on national policy. The program featured three panels addressing human rights leadership on the global stage, human trafficking prevention strategy, and veterans' rights protections. Notable speakers included Porscha Lee Taylor, former Miss Africa USA and US Delegate at the UN Human Rights Summit; Hollie Nadel, Director of Advocacy and Engagement at 3Strands Global Foundation; Joy Craig, Associate Director of National Legislative Service for the Veterans of Foreign Wars; and Blanquita Cullum, co-founder of Voices Against Trafficking.
Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, Founder and President of YHRI, emphasized the role of education, stating, "Human rights education builds bridges to peace. Don't just believe in peace - build it!" On the second day, participants engaged in a Human Rights Advocacy & Public Engagement Training led by Dr. Isabelle Vladoiu, Founder of USIDHR and a DC Human Rights Commissioner. Anna Sineva, Director of Government Relations of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, presented on successful Congressional engagement. The conference concluded with a Human Rights Walk to the White House.
The 2026 conference marked the first stop of Dr. Shuttleworth's annual World Educational Tour, which has traveled over 650,000 miles since 2004 and introduced human rights education to more than 1,200 government officials worldwide. For more information about YHRI, visit https://www.youthforhumanrights.org.
