Attendees at a forum in Hamilton commended two high school students who spoke on the history and importance of human rights in today’s society.

Ryan Walker and Emily Foster-Skelton received praise from a small gathering at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity on Friday when they spoke at a solidarity event in recognition of Freedom Day in South Africa.

The occasion is celebrated annually on June 26 in South Africa to mark the country’s fight for equality and justice against apartheid.

The lunchtime event, organised by Imagine Bermuda, was attended by the Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, and Detective Chief Inspector Jason Smith, of the Bermuda Police Service, among others.

It paid tribute to four Bermudians including the late Barbara Ball, a physician, politician and social activist; the late Reverend Canon Thomas Nisbett; the late Reverend Wilbur “Larry” Lowe; and the late police Superintendent Campbell Simons.

They were hailed for their contributions to human rights on the island.

Mr Walker spoke about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr and his contributions to human rights globally.

He went on to talk about people being conscious of others who are sometimes “ignored, excluded, mistreated or judged on unfairly”.

Mr Walker said: “In those moments, we have a choice … that choice is to stay silent or take action.

“This connects directly to Dr King’s idea of moving to a people-oriented society.”

The Warwick Academy student added: “In a people-oriented society, every person is treated with respect, dignity and care.

“I believe that a truly strong society is not measured on development power but by how it treats its people, who are most valuable.

“We should remember that small actions matter … sometimes one invitation to one conversation or one moment of kindness can make a person feel like they truly belong. And that is how we start building a people-oriented society for Bermuda.”

He recalled an incident among friends in which one of the group, a pupil with special needs, was not given an opportunity to speak by those around.

Mr Walker said he decided to step in and asked that the boy be given an opportunity to share his views.

“He smiled and started speaking enthusiastically … once he started speaking, the rest of the group started listening and responded to him and included him in the conversation.”

Ms Foster-Skelton said she is guided by her conscience to “speak up on what I truly believe in”.

“Many people have been moved to speak up by their conscience in the past,” she added.

She recalled that as a ten-year-old she spoke up on the state of a playground close to where she lived, which she said had several safety hazards.

Ms Foster-Skelton told how she sent an e-mail to the area MP and action was taken to improve the state of the playground.

“People could take action to help our society to move forward,” she said.

“We must be a people-oriented society and focus on making ourselves better, while not getting caught up in the materialistic ideas of life.

“If you have a problem with a practice, then see what you can do about the practice itself.”

Glenn Fubler, of Imagine Bermuda, said he was impressed by the presentations made by the two students.

Another attendee added: “I just want to take a moment to say how impressed I was today by these two young people … they are the future of Bermuda.”