Niki Lanik - Q&A on: Why Human Rights?
0. Tell me a little about yourself, including your age and something about your background:
My family history is 100% Austrian. I am born in Vienna and am now 22 years of age. Extreme Sports is what I live for - I am an adrenaline junky and love speed and competition. Travelling and meeting new people and cultures is also a passion of mine. I have also lived in Florida for 3 years in the 90s, and now have been living in Sussex in England since 10 years. Even though I speak better English than German, I still consider myself Austrian. Though I must say, I really like Great Britain.
1. When did you first become aware of human rights as a subject?
This was a very random coincidence… I was in London with some friends in November 2006, and we met some friends of theirs who happened to bring along another friend called Taron Lexton. After speaking with him he mentioned Human Rights and the 30 Rights that are entitled to every one on this planet. I was like “ok..”. I then found out that Taron directed the “30 Rights, 30 Ads” DVD and the award winning “UNITED” music video, and after watching them I decided I wanted to use my career as a professional GT race driver to promote Human Rights to the rest of the world. After all, I did not even know what my Rights were, and I believe everybody has the right to know what their own rights are. In fact, after having asked many people, most can only mention about three to five Rights out of 30.
2. How did you find out about YHRI?
After I met Taron Lexton, I also found out that his mother, Dr Mary Shuttleworth was the president of Youth For Human Rights International (http://www.YHRI.org) - a global campaign to implement Human Rights education through out all schools and governments. Because having seen the DVD I instantly decided to promote YHRI on my race car, through my websites, press releases, etc. I have always wanted to help on a big scale, and this was a perfect combination.
3. What human rights issues were you personally aware of when you were growing up?
Discrimination. I have been around a lot of this. But to be very honest, I feel I grew up in a safer environment than most, but nevertheless have heard quite a few stories from friends from other countries which were simply unbelievable. These stories were in regards to human trafficking, parents being enslaved, and even worse discrimination, not having the right to education, not being able to trial or to express oneself freely, and so on. I want my kids to grow up in a safe environment which follows the Universal Deceleration of Human Rights, because they and also all other kids have that Right and Freedom.
4. How did your awareness of human rights issues change as a result of your involvement with YHRI?
A LOT! I realised that there were a lot more countries and people that struggled in life and constantly have their rights taken away. You can literally talk to anyone, whether it’s a poor person or a rich person, old or young, irrespective of nationality, and you will find that somewhere along the line in their life somebody went against the Human Rights of that person. It’s unbelievable.
5. How has your involvement in YHRI affected you personally?
This is hard to say… every time I do some actions to increase the awareness of others, or hand out booklets, I get replies via email and phone, and the thing that gives me a kick is that people are happy about the booklet, or the DVD, or even about all these youngster promoting Human Rights Awareness, and this is what makes me feel like I need to do more, and more, and more, so that I can reach everybody in every country. It is so important. The more I do, the more important it becomes for me. I literally try to be active 24/7 on my career and the promotion of Human Rights awareness. Why? Because I love it when people’s lives change into something better and makes their families and friends happier. That’s what I live for - to help others lead a quarrel-free and enjoyable life.
6. Which of your personal contributions to human rights are you most proud of?
Seeing people’s lives change, and people asking ME “Can I also promote Human Rights to help you?”. Getting other people involved is a fantastic experience - people love it, because people love helping others. It’s so simple.
7. Tell me about your experience at the YHRI summit in Geneva.
It was amazing! I met around 25 Youth Delegates which represent YHRI, and never ever have I bonded so closely so fast with other people. We are all like-minded and smart individuals who’s purpose is to make the world a safer place to live in and be a fair free world for all; people abiding by the Human Rights Deceleration signed by the United Nations in 1948. There are a lot of people to reach, but the amazing thing is that our group of YHRI delegates is so powerful and have so much respect for each other, that we help each other every day to become more active and able to promote Human Rights in their areas, cities, countries and continents. I love you guys! You all have such great personalities and have your unique and amazing qualities in how you decided to promote Human Rights. I love it!
8. Why is it important to promote human rights internationally?
People are killing each other, discriminating each other, there are more slaves than in the 18th century, 1 billion people cannot read, and so on … I think I have stated just a fraction of why it is important to promote Human Rights internationally…
9. How has your participation in YHRI affected your personal ideas?
I have met a lot of people, and I have a lot more people to meet and countries to visit. So far I have become much more united and fond of foreign cultures. I treat all people like Human Beings. I do not care if they are 80 years old or 5, or black or white, or male or female, I simply do not care. I treat them with respect and with affinity. I respect people, I help people, I am there for people. That’s what I do - and I love it.
10. What plans do you have to promote human rights in the future?
MANY! I will promote Human Rights even further this upcoming year through out my car racing career to millions of people. I also have a yearly VIP event at my home to celebrate my racing successes and I do a lot of YHRI promotion there, which includes showing the “30 Rights, 30 Ads” DVDs and a speech about Human Rights. After this event I always sign up more people to help out. I also meet people from all walks of life, from a stranger at the supermarket or airport to my local bank business manager, and I tell them about what I do with Human Rights and they feel like they are missing out on this adventure. I am also coordinating events and YHRI promotional activities in other countries such as Barbados, Columbia, Mexico City, Belgium, and so on. In fact, after the 2009 Summit I have decided to visit (and attend and event) in every one of the countries (which the 25 delegates are from) before the 2010 Summit, so basically this is a quick summary of some actions I am doing and have planned to promote Human Rights for the upcoming 12 months.
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