STAND began as an acronym for “Students Taking Action Now: Darfur.” In 2004, students at Georgetown University founded STAND, which quickly became the leading organization in what was later labeled the fastest-growing and largest student movement for international human rights issues since anti-apartheid, spanning approximately 800 chapters across the United States. Since 2009, our mission has expanded globally- to end and prevent genocide and mass atrocities wherever they may occur. Learn about the issues we focus on here. In addition to our region-specific foci, we promote long-term policy solutions to prevent genocide.
Since our founding, STAND has developed as a key player in the anti-genocide movement. Our previous parent organizations include the Genocide Intervention Network, United to End Genocide, and the Aegis Trust.
- 2004: U.S. Secretary of State Powell and President Bush declare crimes in Darfur, Sudan “genocide.” The first STAND chapter forms at Georgetown University just a few weeks later. Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND) is born.
- 2005: By the end of 2005, STAND chapters spring up at more than 300 colleges in the United States.
- 2006: The first global Day for Darfur is held in September.
- 2007: STAND’s divestment campaign divests endowments and pension funds of over 27 states & 60 universities from companies doing business with the Sudan government.
- 2008: The recurring DarfurFast fundraiser expands to highlight conflict in Burma and is renamed STANDFast. DR Congo is also added as a focus area.
- 2009: STAND officially expands its mission to become the student movement to end and prevent genocide and mass atrocities, wherever they may occur.
- 2010: Over 60 student leaders attend STAND Camp, where they learn about grassroots organizing.
- 2011: Almost 300 students attend the End Genocide Action Summit. Syria is added as a focus area.
- 2012: STAND partners with the Enough Project to pressure over twenty university and city officials to responsibly invest in Congo’s minerals sector.
- 2013: STAND partners with the Darfur Women Action Group for the Women & Genocide National Symposium. Students lobby for Sudan Peace, Security, & Accountability Act.
- 2014: #Rwanda20 commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. Students send solidarity messages and hold local volunteer days.
- 2015: STAND merges with the Aegis Trust, allowing STAND to strengthen our impact and broaden our resources. Yemen is added as a focus area.
- 2016: The Books Not Bombs campaign supports the creation of 8 campus-specific scholarships for Syrian refugees totaling $1,340,000.
- 2017: Rise for Rohingya raises funds for youth-led peacebuilding in Burma, in partnership with Nexus Fund.
- 2018: A Cause for Celebration marks the 70th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crimes of Genocide.
- 2019: The Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act and the Global Fragility Act are signed into law! The Action Committee model begins. STAND celebrates its 15th year.
- 2020: The Youth, Peace, and Security Act is introduced. STAND focuses on digital organizing in the wake of COVID-19. A Global Fragility Act implementation campaign garners over 431,000 social media impressions.
- 2021: The Conscious Consumption Campaign promotes atrocity prevention in the private sector. STAND serves as the co-chair of the United States Youth, Peace, and Security Coalition. The United States is added as a priority area.
- 2022: STAND becomes an independent youth-led organization, with the support of an expanded Advisory Board.
