This December marks the 70th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crimes of Genocide. What better way to celebrate than to throw it a birthday semester! A lot of progress has been made in the last 70 years as the world has begun to study and implement methods of peacebuilding intended to prevent and mitigate genocide and mass atrocities. Today, these efforts are being prioritized in unprecedented ways.
With that being said, there is much more work that still needs to be done. Last month, the UN declared genocide in Burma and strongly condemned the military’s persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority. Additionally, Yemen continues to be brutally bombed by Saudi Arabia and other coalition states— including the United States— exacerbating the on-the-ground conflict, restricting access to humanitarian aid, and causing thousands to die of preventable diseases.
GET INVOLVED
- Further Prevention
- Global Fragility and Violence Reduction Act: Despite violent conflict being at an all-time high, this bill would be the first comprehensive approach to violence reduction around the world.
- Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act: Named in honor of Holocaust survivor and anti-genocide advocate Elie Wiesel, this bill would help the U.S. government develop and coordinate a cohesive atrocities prevention strategy.
- Raise Money for Young Advocates
- STAND works to inspire communities to mobilize in order to become leaders of the anti-genocide movement. Funds raised for STAND will go towards training students and young people in effective advocacy, peer education, community organizing, and peacebuilding in their own communities. By funding lobby days, campaigning, and conferences, your donation will expand our reach and improve our impact. Check out our toolkit for fundraising ideas and tactics!
RESOURCES
- A Cause for Celebration Toolkit
- Join Rapid Responders to take advocacy actions
- Write an op-ed using our talking points