In an era where global challenges often feel insurmountable, the Sacramento community gathered on December 10, 2025, to send a powerful message of hope, unity, and moral action. To commemorate International Human Rights Day, diverse faith leaders and local advocates convened to reaffirm a timeless truth: that the protection of human dignity is a shared spiritual and civic calling.
The evening was defined by moving personal testimony and a collective call to turn the “idealistic dream” of human rights into a living reality for all.
Voices of Resilience and Faith
The event’s keynote speaker, Edrine Ddungu (Board Member of Africa House and past president of the Interfaith Council of Greater Sacramento), silenced the room with his journey of survival and grace. Having witnessed the devastation of human rights violations in Uganda—including the loss of his father—Ddungu shared how his path to the United States was fueled by a pursuit of safety and a future for his children. His presence served as a living testament that education and faith are the ultimate antidotes to oppression.
Rev. Kay Alice Daly, representing the Scientology Faith and the Interfaith Council of Greater Sacramento, echoed this sentiment, framing the fight against bigotry as a spiritual imperative. “Acts of hate are more than social injustices; they are forms of spiritual betrayal,” Rev. Daly stated, emphasizing that building bridges between diverse religious traditions is the only way to heal a fractured world.
Education as the Path to Peace
Emcee Don Pearson, Sacramento Chapter Coordinator for United for Human Rights, grounded the evening in history and vision. He drew a line from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt to the modern necessity of education. Pearson highlighted the foundational philosophy of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, quoting his passage: “Human Rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream’.
A Unified Front for the Future
The gathering brought together a coalition of regional group leaders dedicated to the next generation, including advocates Rhonda Fletcher and Jesse Williams. Representing organizations such as Africa House, Youth on the Move, Youth Aviation Academy, and local workforce development initiatives, these leaders emphasized that human rights education is the cornerstone of youth empowerment.
“Awareness must be continually nurtured,” noted one participant. “Many of our young people are unaware of the rights they hold—and the responsibilities that come with them.”
A Call to Action
The evening concluded not just with reflection but with a renewed commitment to service. Attendees left inspired to take personal responsibility for the dignity of their neighbors, proving that when Sacramento comes together in faith, compassion becomes a force for systemic change.
For more information on human rights education initiatives or to get involved, log on to our website at: https://www.humanrights.com/
