Middle school and high school students from across Iowa gathered on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the University of Iowa Memorial Union for the UI 28th Annual International Day. 

More than 275 students and 12 teachers from 11 school districts gathered for this one-day conference encouraging young Iowans to explore important human rights issues from both a local and global perspective. With the theme, “The Right to Life, Liberty, and Security as a Person,” this year’s event focused on individual rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, helping students see how these values unite communities worldwide.

The event was hosted by the UI College of Education, International Programs, Stanley Museum of Art, the Belin-Blank Center, and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, with support from the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization.

“This is an opportunity to help kids think about topics around human rights and sustainable development goals from a broader perspective. Hunger, sustainability, equal access to education—these are global challenges that require a united effort,” says Krista Regennitter, program officer for global education from the Stanley Center for Peace and Security. “Getting kids to think about these perspectives is crucial, as they’ll grow up to be the leaders tackling these issues." 

The group of seventh through ninth graders kicked off the day with keynote speaker, Gabby Guerra, a Salvadoran immigrant and University of Iowa alumna. She shared her journey of resilience, having moved to Iowa in 2002 and adapting to a new culture and language. Guerra highlighted the power of community support, saying, “Believing in each other’s potential is essential to creating a compassionate society.”

Throughout the morning, students joined interactive sessions led by UI faculty, students, and community experts. Highlights included a virtual reality tour of the Anne Frank House, discussions on the environmental impacts of fast fashion in Chile’s Atacama Desert, and workshops on the right to education for children with disabilities in Thailand. One session even invited students to design model cities that featured clean energy and efficient transportation, teaching them the principles of sustainable urban planning.

University leaders emphasized the college’s dedication to global education. 

“We have a long history of outreach with schools, and it’s wonderful to have this event focus on international and global issues and teach these kids the importance of these concepts,” says Pam Wesely, associate dean for faculty and graduate education and professor of multilingual education. “These are schools we’ve been working with for teacher education, but here, we’re really focusing on global education that aligns with our college’s mission.”

Alumna Leah Slick-Driscoll brought her ninth graders from Meskwaki High School and reiterated the importance of bringing kids together from different backgrounds to learn about solving global issues. 

“We brought our students here to have them apply the knowledge that we have been exploring on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and have them participate in activities where they can apply their knowledge and maybe even expand their conceptions,” Slick-Driscoll says. 

“One of the breakout sessions we’ve attended helps students practice having a voice saying ‘Stop, that's not right,’” Slick-Driscoll adds. “It's very empowering for them, and it also helps us, coming from the Meskwaki settlement, see non-native students also learning the same things and practicing and interacting with other students with different religions, cultures, and experiences.”