United We Rock! The Concert for Human Rights initially began as an idea within the Armenian Community Centre, when a group of like-minded youth engaged in various Human Rights interest groups of their universities realized how much more effective they may be if they could share resources and collaborate. In 2010, the inaugural United We Rock! concert took place at Yonge & Dundas Square, bringing together 10 partnering and participating organizations. It raised awareness for the human rights violations in Rwanda, Azerbaijan, Darfur, and Palestine. Furthermore, the Genocides of the Assyrians, Pontians, and Jews were highlighted, as well as the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The event's advocacy took a decided focus on four motives:

• The prevention of Genocide, and justice for Genocides of the past
• The elimination of racism
• The prevention of war crimes
• The promotion of the freedom of Expression

For 2011, the same motivated youth are back, and ready to put on a concert like never before. The Armenian Community Centre's youth have formed a formal organizational body - The Armenian Advocacy for Human Rights (AAHR). Many of the partnering and participant organizations of last year are back as well. The concert will once again be held at Toronto’s Yonge and Dundas Square, and will feature local established and up-and-coming artists from a variety of genres.

Collectives of individuals who advocate for human rights often tend to only look after the issues that closely influence their community or ethnic group. Human rights violations, however, are all interrelated; The tolerance of one act of injustice paves the way for the next. It is only when these groups unite and begin to take action on issues outside their regular realm of affairs that the synergic benefits of collaboration can be realized, and the vicious cycle may be escaped.

The Armenian Advocacy for Human Rights is an umbrella organization of numerous Armenian cultural, student, youth, and religious organizations that came together to organize this event, calling for unity among human rights advocate groups,

The formation of the AAHR owes largely to the efforts of the Armenian Youth Federation. AAHR presently includes members from the following groups:

• The Armenian Youth Federation
• The Armen Karo Student Association
• The Armenian National Committee of Toronto
• Armenian Students' Associations of the following universities: Waterloo, York, Ryerson, McMaster, Toronto (St. George and Scarborough Campuses)

This event is not one that is afraid of its shadow - It is decisively for individuals who have a profound respect for Canada’s multicultural social fabric, and wish to see Canada emerge as a significant actor in a global setting, as a champion of hu-man rights. It is a reflection of the progress we have made in the past, such as the global “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P) movement. It is also a celebration of the steps that lie ahead, such as the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Most importantly, this event is a call for change within each of us.

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