Ann Brown, abrown@annbrowncommunications.com, 301-633-4193
Advocacy Groups Save Darfur Coalition and Genocide Intervention Network Announce Merger to Create Powerful Constituency Focused on Preventing Genocide and Mass Atrocities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Save Darfur Coalition and Genocide Intervention Network announced that effective today, their organizations have merged to create a more powerful voice dedicated to preventing and stopping large-scale, deliberate atrocities against civilians.
The merger creates the largest anti-genocide organization that combined, boasts a membership base of over 800,000 committed activists globally, an unparalleled nationwide student movement, and a network of institutional investors with over $700 billion in assets under management.
Both organizations were created in response to atrocities in Darfur, and their merger is a natural step in strengthening and growing the constituency that came together to help stop violence against civilians in Sudan. The merged organization will harness the power of its constituencies to influence actors – primarily the American government, multi-national institutions and corporations – to use their diplomatic and financial leverage to help prevent and stop large-scale atrocities.
"Joining together the Save Darfur Coalition and Genocide Intervention Network creates one organization that is stronger than the sum of its parts and better positioned to make genocide prevention a priority for the U.S. government and international community," said Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, Chair of Save Darfur Coalition and of the merged Board of Directors. "This union combines an impressive network of supporters, activists, and partners that we feel confident will multiply the impact of our work."
Mark Hanis, co-Founder and President of Genocide Intervention Network, will serve as President of the merged organization. Sam Bell, Executive Director of Genocide Intervention Network, will serve as Executive Director. Save Darfur Coalition’s Acting President Mark Lotwis will become the Senior Director of Campaign Advocacy for the merged organization.
"This is a great day for our members, staff and supporters. With a deep history of working collaboratively together, we share the same commitment: working towards a day when genocide and mass atrocities do not occur," stated Mark Hanis. "We are excited by the prospect of combining our collective goals, talent and long-standing commitment into a single organization."
The organization’s immediate priorities are to continue mobilizing its constituencies and advocating for U.S. leadership to ensure progress toward peace in Darfur and a peaceful Sudan in the lead-up to and aftermath of January 2011 referenda on Southern Sudanese independence and the future of contested oil district Abyei. The organization is also beginning a large-scale, long-term advocacy campaign to ensure that the U.S. government is better able to prevent and respond to future genocides and mass atrocities.
The new organization will be headquartered at the Save Darfur Coalition’s Washington, D.C. offices. The merged organization’s new brand and name will be launched in the coming months.
The Save Darfur Coalition – an alliance of more than 190 faith-based, advocacy and human rights organizations – raises public awareness about the ongoing crisis in Darfur and mobilizes a unified response to promote peace throughout the Darfur region and all of Sudan. The coalition’s member organizations represent 130 million people of all ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to help the people of Sudan. Please join the movement at www.SaveDarfur.org.
Genocide Intervention Network — empowers individuals and communities with the tools to prevent and stop genocide. Currently focused on conflicts in Sudan, Burma and Democratic Republic of Congo, among other areas of concern, Genocide Intervention Network envisions a world in which the global community is willing and able to protect civilians from genocide and mass atrocities. The organization is building a permanent anti-genocide constituency, mobilizing the political will to prevent and stop genocide. For more information, please visit www.genocideintervention.net.