Over 200 human rights educators and practitioners from across the world converged in Budapest, Hungary, for the Unleashing Human Rights Forum from December 9–11, 2025, with Jonathan M.D. Yanzee, Executive Director of the Campaign for Human Rights and Developments (CHRD), standing up for Liberia, and carrying with him the stories, struggles, and aspirations of young people from Liberia and Africa at large.
The Unleashing Human Rights Forum served as a global platform for reflection and renewal in human rights education, bringing together actors from international, national, and local institutions across both formal and non-formal education sectors. At the heart of the dialogue was a shared commitment to strengthening human rights education as a tool for peace, justice, and dignity in the years ahead—particularly within the framework of the World Program for Human Rights Education (2025–2029).
According to Yanzee, the forum was more than a conference; it was a moment of truth-telling and transformation. In his deliberation, he boldly emphasized the unfinished business of history, calling for the global human rights community to meaningfully address the historical injustices of slavery endured by Africans and people of African descent. He underscored that remembrance alone is not enough; what is required are holistic actions, reparative justice, and structural reforms that convert centuries of injustice into tangible progress toward equality and human dignity.
Beyond plenary discussions, Yanzee played an active role in a high-level workshop, titled, “Working Through and With the United Nations Human Rights”, hosted by UN Human Rights and the United Nations Youth. Drawing from CHRD’s extensive collaboration with UN Human Rights mechanisms, he shared practical insights on how grassroots and youth-led organizations often constrained by limited resources can engage effectively with the UN system.
In a particularly impactful contribution, Yanzee highlighted the work of the UN Youth Office, underscoring its openness to supporting youth initiatives even when funding is unavailable, referencing his direct engagements with the UN Youth Office.
The forum itself featured diverse panels, working groups, and workshops that examined past successes, current challenges, and future needs in human rights education. From policy implementation to community-based learning models, participants explored innovative approaches to ensure that human rights education remains responsive to today’s complex global realities.
Yanzee, a seasoned human rights educator in the non-formal education space, said the experience reaffirmed his mission. “Being part of this initiative strengthens my resolve to integrate global best practices into our training curricula back home,” he reflected. Through CHRD, he plans to translate lessons from Budapest into practical, community-driven human rights education programs that empower young people, promote civic responsibility, and advance peace and development in Liberia.
Jonathan M.D. Yanzee’s participation in the Unleashing Human Rights Forum is a testament to the growing influence of Liberian youth leadership on the international stage. At a time when the world seeks renewed faith in human rights, his voice is a reminder that change is most powerful when global principles meet local action.
As the forum concluded in Budapest, Yanzee emphasized that together, through education, dialogue, and solidarity, the realization of human rights is not only possible—it is inevitable.
