"All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms."
"All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms."
I. History of Organization
Amnesty International was founded in 1961 by Peter Benenson, a British lawyer whose sense of justice spurred him to create a human rights advocacy organization when he read about two Portuguese students who were sent to jail for raising their glasses to a toast to freedom. Since then, the organization has garnered the support of more than 3 million activists and volunteers in over 150 countries. It is completely independent from governmental, corporate, or ideological interests and is centered in London, UK.
The Amnesty International Chapter at W&L was founded in 2016 by Mohini Tangri '19.
II. Mission statement
Amnesty International's mission is to work towards creating a world in which every single person, regardless of their race, gender, or religion, enjoys every human right enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) passed by the United Nations in 1948.
III. Requirements for membership
To be considered an active member, you must attend 50% of meetings where attendance will be monitored. You must attend at least two events per semester. It is essential to stay updated on relevant information in order to contribute to meetings.
IV. Organization of Leadership
VI. Benefit to W&L and the Surrounding Community
Amnesty International brings issues to the W&L campus that break students out of the "W&L Bubble." It educates students on their moral obligation to fight the violent atrocities that occur so often across the globe, and in doing so encourages growth of character and empathy. Ultimately, it allows those who wish to help alleviate extreme suffering around the world to do so.
Amnesty International was founded in 1961 by Peter Benenson, a British lawyer whose sense of justice spurred him to create a human rights advocacy organization when he read about two Portuguese students who were sent to jail for raising their glasses to a toast to freedom. Since then, the organization has garnered the support of more than 3 million activists and volunteers in over 150 countries. It is completely independent from governmental, corporate, or ideological interests and is centered in London, UK.
The Amnesty International Chapter at W&L was founded in 2016 by Mohini Tangri '19.
II. Mission statement
Amnesty International's mission is to work towards creating a world in which every single person, regardless of their race, gender, or religion, enjoys every human right enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNDHR) passed by the United Nations in 1948.
III. Requirements for membership
To be considered an active member, you must attend 50% of meetings where attendance will be monitored. You must attend at least two events per semester. It is essential to stay updated on relevant information in order to contribute to meetings.
IV. Organization of Leadership
- President
- Primary executive of the organization.
- Manages meetings, communicates with the W&L administration, and ensures that the club is complying with Amnesty International's national requirements for active chapters.
- Vice President:
- Assists the President with duties.
- Secretary:
- Organizes the minutes of every meeting and ensures that every member has access to a copy of them after each meeting (through email).
- Treasurer:
- Manages the program's financial records and keeps organized records of all financial transactions that occur.
- Writes official budget proposals and presents them to members during meetings.
- Requests funding and emergency funding from the Executive Committee.
- Social Media/PR Chair:
- Ensures that all Amnesty International events are posted on W&L's Postmaster Service.
- Makes and distributes posters to ensure that students are aware of Amnesty events. Hosts informational sessions if necessary.
- Events Manager:
- Creates and manages individual committees during the planning of an event.
- Research Chair:
- Brings new information to each meeting and helps educate members. Hosts educational sessions and emails out articles of interest to the group.
- Helps ensure that accurate information is being presented to and by the team as we plan events and write letters.
- Outreach Chair:
- Reaches out to other Amnesty International groups on college campuses nationwide. Speaks with activists and political leaders we will potentially host on campus.
- Elections will be held in April. Candidates will go through an application process and will be chosen by current leaders and the faculty advisor.
- New officers begin duties at the beginning of the summer following the election.
VI. Benefit to W&L and the Surrounding Community
Amnesty International brings issues to the W&L campus that break students out of the "W&L Bubble." It educates students on their moral obligation to fight the violent atrocities that occur so often across the globe, and in doing so encourages growth of character and empathy. Ultimately, it allows those who wish to help alleviate extreme suffering around the world to do so.