The US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights Gala in Washington, DC, honored global leaders, diplomats, and advocates who work to advance diplomacy and human rights
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The US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights (USIDHR) hosted international leaders at the USIDHR Diplomacy and Human Rights Gala at the exclusive Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. The theme was Global Diplomacy, Democracy, and Sustainable Development: A Pathway to Human Rights, included were awards and celebration of those who help make those goals.
Honored at this exclusive event were individuals and organizations making significant strides in promoting human rights globally . The evening highlighted the importance of collaboration, education, and innovation in advancing human rights worldwide.
The Human Rights Legacy Award was given to extraordinary individuals whose lifetime achievements have positively impacted more than 5,000 people. Awardee Beth Akiyama is a former Board member of United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights International and a continuing champion for human rights. Ms. Akiyama promotes the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and leads efforts to teach the UDHR to students and groups throughout the Washington, DC, Metro area.
Joining Ms. Akiyama as honorees were H.E. Luis Fernando Cordero, former Ambassador of Honduras to the OAS; HRH Dr. Andrise Bass, Global Peace Ambassador; Judith Ann Cushman DuBose, U.S. Army veteran and community leader; Olivia Cantu, advocate for immigrant rights and nonprofit leader; and Vicky Leyva, artist and human rights ambassador.
Dr. Isabelle Vladoiu, Founder of USIDHR, and Manuel Oancia, President of USIDHR, shared insights into the organization’s global initiatives and the power of education to drive change.
“Diplomacy is not just about governments and policies—it’s about people. It’s about forging connections, building bridges, and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to live with dignity and hope,” shared Dr. Isabelle Vladoiu.
The gala served to validate those who are working to bring education to bear in achieving sustainable development and human rights for all.
Ms. Beth Akiyama said, when receiving her legacy award, that she was inspired to work in the field of human rights by the words of humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard that “human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.” Ms. Akiyama recounted meeting Dr. Vladoiu years earlier at the United for Human Rights Summit at the United Nations in New York. Ms. Akiyama had helped produce the Human Rights Summit and Dr. Vladoiu was the delegate for the United States at that Summit. Ms. Akiyama praised USIDHR and the advocates in the audience for their work to make human rights a fact.
The USIDHR’s programs include Edu for Every Child, Let Her Lead, and the Religious Freedom Program to unlock access to education, combat trafficking, antisemitism, xenophobia, and hatred while promoting human rights.
United for Human Rights and its DC chapter work to promote the UN UDHR via in-school training, after-school activities, and an educator kit which includes a curriculum to assist trainers to teach each of the 30 rights comprising the UDHR. United for Human Rights DC annually sponsors a walk in the Washington Mall from the Lincoln Memorial to the World War II Memorial to promote the importance of these rights. United for Human Rights and its campaign Youth for Human Rights International additionally sponsor art exhibits and contests to promote human rights and have published a book with its International Day of Peace art contest entries.
Manuel Oancia, President USIDHR, Beth Akiyama, Youth for Human Rights, and Isabelle Vladoiu, Founder USIDHR
About the company: United for Human Rights (UHR) is an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at local, regional, national and international levels. Its membership is comprised of individuals, educators and groups throughout the world who are actively forwarding the knowledge and protection of human rights by and for all Mankind. Its purpose is to provide human rights educational resources and activities that inform, assist and unite individuals, educators, organizations and governmental bodies in the dissemination and adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at every level of society. United for Human Rights was founded on the Declaration’s 60th anniversary, in the face of continued worldwide abuses which violate the spirit, intent and Articles of this charter of all human rights, the first such document ever ratified by the community of nations. Surveys have found that most people have only a limited understanding of human rights. The Declaration contains the thirty rights that together form the basis of a civilization wherein all people can enjoy the freedoms to which they are entitled, and nations can coexist in peace.
Contact Info:
Name: Beth Akiyama
Email: Send Email
Organization: United for Human Rights
Address: 1701 20th St NW, Washington, DC
Website: https://www.humanrights.com
Video URL: https://www.humanrights.com/videos/introduction/introduction.html
Release ID: 89148978
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