Amnesty International

Presented by: Kristina Brady, Volunteer

Who Makes Up Amnesty International?

Republicans Democrats Teachers Doctors Lawyers Students

75% of the Activist Base are High School and College Students

Federal and State Employees Military Leaders CEO’s

Everyone

Amnesty International

Began in 1961 Noble Peace Prize in 1976 Research is the Core Competency Networks and the Volunteer Base are also Core

Competencies Largest Human Rights Organization in the World Research Utilized by Presidents, State Department,

United Nations, Lawyers, Educators, Local Newspapers etc.

What is Amnesty’s Mission?

We are people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights. Our purpose is to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied. We investigate and expose abuses, educate and mobilize the public, and help transform societies to create a safer, more just world. We received the Nobel Peace Prize for our life-saving work.

With more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in over 150 countries, and complete independence from government, corporate or national interests, we work to protect human rights worldwide. Our vision is of a world in which every person - regardless of race, religion, gender, or ethnicity - enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards.

What Does Amnesty International Use for Guidelines?

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child

Same UDHR Principles Armed Conflict Child Soldiers Bonded and Exploitative Child Labor Child Trafficking

Convention on the Elimination on All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Discrimination Trafficking Education Voting

Many Other International Treaties

Community (Geographic/Economic)

International Community (All over the world through various campaigns) Stop Violence Against Women Campaign – Juarez, Mexico Darfur – Women, Refugees, Arms Trade, Displacement Child Soldiers – Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Prisoner’s of Conscience – Around the world, imprisoned based

on beliefs, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity United States

Detention Centers – Rights of Asylum Seekers, Torture Survivors etc.

Local Lobbying Representatives on Various Campaigns Hutto Detention Center – Vigils Letter Writing for Individuals at Risk Education on Various Campaigns and Human Rights Abuses Concert Tabling

Specific Services

Media/Public Relations Press Releases Letters to the Editor

Education Film Screenings Conferences Concert Tabling

Letter Writing - Release of Individuals at Risk Lobbying Local Representatives to Sign Bills

Commitment Levels and Needs

Daily, Weekly, Monthly as much or as little as your able

Focus on Specific Campaign(s) or Individuals at Risk Plan Film Screenings, Conferences or Educational

Discussions Focus on Amnesty’s National Priorities

Who can Serve and is any Training Required?

Who Can Serve? All Ages can serve There is a Children’s Campaign

Training Required? Most Information Provided on Website Trainers and Staff are Available

Sharing of Gospel? How are the Needs of Those Serviced Met?

Sharing of Gospel Amnesty does not support any form of religion or

faith but does partner with many churches across the country

There is an annual Faith in Action Campaign If you’re hosting an event you can share the

Gospel

How are needs of those serviced met? Behind the scenes through letter writing, media

outreach/PR, educating communities on issues and lobbying representatives

Measures of Success

Freed Individuals at Risk Representatives Signing onto Bills Media Coverage of Events Articles in the Newspaper Educating the Public Adding More Members

What has Happened in the Lives of Volunteers?

Increased Awareness of Global Community Made Individuals Research and Reach a Stance on

Key Issues Set the Course of a Career Path

Public Policy Law Non-Profit within and without the U.S. Entrepreneurship

Grew in Leadership Ability, Communication Skills and Confidence

Realization that One Person Can Make a Difference

Program Ideas

Start an Amnesty Group at the Church Use Amnesty as a Base and Organize a Peace and

Social Justice Committee Host a Human Rights (HR) Film Night for the Local

and Church Community Amnesty can provide films, books, letters, petitions

and contacts with other organizations Pick a Specific Individual at Risk and Have the

Church Write on It Pick a Specific Country for the Church to Focus on Engage the Youth in Letter Writing and Invite other

Youth Organizations Utilize the Research for other Service Activities

Helpful Websites

Amnesty International USA, http://www.amnestyusa.org/

Amnesty International (Global Website), http://www.amnesty.org/

Amnesty International (Local Website), Save Darfur,

http://www.savedarfur.org/content Invisible Children,

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php