Kean’s 18th Annual Human Rights Conference Inspires Action on Sustainability

Nearly 1,000 young people gathered in Kean University’s Wilkins Theatre for the 18th Annual Human Rights Institute Conference, where this year’s theme, Sustainability in Action, challenged attendees to connect environmental responsibility with human rights and take meaningful steps toward change.

A cornerstone event at Kean, the annual conference brought together global leaders and advocates, including keynote speakers Mary Robinson, Ireland’s first female president and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; Monique Coleman, a United Nations Youth Champion; and Sabs Katz, a climate justice advocate. Together, they explored how sustainability and human rights intersect in everyday life.

“Human rights education does not begin and end in a classroom,” said Adara Goldberg, Ph.D., executive director of the Holocaust Resource Center and Human Rights Institute at Kean. “There are broad, accessible ways to incorporate sustainability into our daily lives. Everything we do is a choice.” 

Robinson shared insights from her decades of leadership and reflected on her path, emphasizing the role young people play in advancing change.

“At such a worrying time in our world, it’s good that we reflect on the importance of the protection of human rights and sustainability,” Robinson said.

She spoke about confronting inequality early in her career and stressed that progress requires persistence and responsibility to future generations. She left attendees with a powerful reminder: “You are never too young to lead, and you are never too old to arrive.”

Coleman encouraged students to recognize their influence and act in their communities.

“Movements are led by young people, and they always have been,” Coleman said. “In today’s theme, Sustainability in Action, the word action makes all the difference.”

She also highlighted the importance of self-care in advocacy.

“If you do not sustain yourself, you cannot sustain anything else,” Coleman said. “You are allowed to care deeply about the world and also care about yourself at the same time.”

Katz, a fashion sustainability expert, focused on practical ways individuals can address climate challenges, particularly through everyday choices. 

“It doesn’t take much to get involved or get started,” Katz said. “Reducing our consumption is one of the most positive actions we can take.”

Throughout the conference, attendees engaged in interactive discussions, concluding with a group conversation moderated by Sarah Coykendall, ’18 M.A., managing assistant director of the Holocaust Education and Resource Center (HERC) and the Human Rights Institute. 

“Students learn the tools and resources needed to take action and understand that sustainability and human rights are deeply interconnected,” Coykendall said. “That understanding is essential to creating meaningful change.”

Jessica Goldsmith Barzilay, assistant vice president for Global Initiatives, emphasized the shared responsibility of institutions and individuals.

“True change is only possible when institutions, like a university, come together with people who raise their voices,” she said.

The event also spotlighted the work of Kean’s Sustainability Task Force and the student-led Sustainability Squad, initiatives that reflect the University’s ongoing commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

“It’s great to see how many people today are interested in sustainability and how it truly impacts so many areas of our lives,” said Melany Morocho, Kean University sophomore and member of Kean’s Sustainability Squad. “I’m so glad that Kean is invested in spreading the word and involving the local community.”

With several local high schools in attendance, students and educators echoed the event’s impact.

“It was an incredibly valuable experience for our students, giving them an understanding that the choices they make can have a far-reaching impact,” said Gilberto Olvera, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at The Pingry School.

“It was really inspiring and informative,” said Anne Philip, Warren Hills High School senior and president of the school’s Human Rights Club. “The speakers emphasized how big a role young people play in making change.”

The conference marked the culmination of Human Rights Week at Kean, which featured a series of student-focused events, including a movie night, a No-Sew Upcycling event and additional activities designed to promote engagement and awareness.

The event concluded with the presentation of several awards recognizing leadership in advancing human rights. Robinson, Coleman and Katz each received the Outstanding Human Rights Activist Award. Daniela Shebitz, Ph.D., faculty director of the Center for Community Engaged Learning & Scholarship and professor, Department of Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, received the Dr. Hank Kaplowitz Outstanding Human Rights Educator Award. Kean students Yerlin Holguin and Susan Berube were recognized as Outstanding Kean Student Human Rights Activists.