Hey STAND, my name’s Danny Hirschel-Burns and I’m a rising junior at Swarthmore College and a member of Swarthmore STAND.  After attending the spring STAND conference my freshman year, I found myself very frustrated with STAND and unsure I wanted to continue involving myself with the organization.  STAND camp changed all of that.  It was the most intense period of thought and conversation I’d had since I began college.  I was surrounded by intelligent, motivated, and fun kids for nearly twenty-four hours a day.  Saying twenty-four wasn’t an exaggeration, because I got very, very little sleep.  I am a person who loves their unconscious time, and constantly strives for eight hours, but that simply wasn’t an option for me at STAND camp.  The official sessions often lasted from 9 am to 9 pm, and afterwards of course, I had to dissect everything we had talked about with everyone else there.  My conversations stretched long, long into the night.  There were certainly many different perspectives, and I think everyone there learned more about the issues as well as improved their ability to make a concise, coherent argument. 
   

Beyond the intellectual side of STAND camp, which I did appreciate very much, there was the social aspect.  The high amount of exposure between you and the fellow STAND campers leads to a highly conducive social atmosphere.  Because most people don’t know anyone when they first arrive, you are forced to make friendships quickly.  I promise it isn’t hard.  And so while everyone makes friends quickly, the more important part is that many of my friendships last well beyond STAND camp.  Last winter break, I visited two of the people that I met at STAND camp (Sonia Sen of the University of Arizona and Jared Naimark from Stanford), and just got back a week ago from seeing Sonia in New York.  They are two of my best friends, and I’m so glad that STAND camp gave me the opportunity to meet them.  They are certainly not the only ones though.  These many friendships were cemented through zip-lines, lobbying senators, airport mishaps, hotel room shenanigans, and swimming adventures with shirtless men you met in the woods.  I’m still in touch with at least ten of the people I met at STAND camp, and have an even larger base of committed advocates and friends to call upon if I need help.  In short, STAND camp was an incredibly transformative experience, and has totally sculpted the way I participate in STAND.  I can’t wait to attend this year, and if anyone has any questions, I’d be happy to talk with you.  See you in a few weeks!      
 

By Social Media Coordinator Emma Goldberg

Are you #AddictedtoTwitter? Do you often find yourself spending hours on Facebook, scrolling through your newsfeed and visiting the pages of journalists and public figures? Do you maintain that despite what your parents may tell you, those hours spent online are actually productive? If so, you may be STAND’s next Social Media Coordinator. You have the insight to recognize the unique opportunity offered to our generation—the opportunity to interface with a platform that engages millions and connects them to one another.

As STAND’s Social Media Coordinator, I had the opportunity to work at the intersection of communications and mass atrocities prevention, applying creative thinking to the student anti-genocide movement. It was a unique and gratifying experience to learn to use social media as a tool not only for brand building, but also for advocacy. I worked with STAND’s phenomenal team of communications, advocacy and education experts to forward legislative objectives online. It was gratifying to communicate with students not yet ready to schedule in person lobbying appointments and empower them to participate in civic engagement through social media.

Not only did my understanding of communications and mass atrocities prevention grow tremendously, but I also had the opportunity to work with an inspiring group of leaders. STAND’s Managing Committee and Task Force are warm and close-knit groups of brilliant policy wonks and dynamic organizers. Not only do they welcome every new member in with kindness, but their conversations also exposed me to entirely new ways of thinking about peace-building and movement development.  

Being engaged with STAND on a chapter-level is exciting. Your in-district lobbying, die-ins, and educational presentations convey the organization’s message into Congressional offices and through the hallways of your school. But all of the initiatives that chapters facilitate on a regional level coalesce to build a national movement that occupies a powerful space in the field of anti-genocide work. As Social Media Coordinator, you develop the face of that brand. You create the language used to convey STAND’s message to the widest possible audience.

This year STAND experienced thrilling triumphs. Our October End Genocide Action Summit was a major success, bringing hundreds of student organizers to D.C. to meet with policymakers, leading organizers, and more. Through the Know Your Candidate campaign, STAND chapter members attended Romney’s rallies and questioned his foreign policy agenda. And during Genocide Awareness Month, STAND’s Student Director represented the organization in speaking on a White House panel moderated by Samantha Power. Next year STAND will continue to take on exciting initiatives. As Social Media Coordinator you can think creatively about how to encourage wide participation in these campaigns, and how to convey STAND’s successes to the public to build the movement.

By Advocacy Coordinator Maria Thomson

With an interest in global conflict, US policy, and African Studies, I joined my campus STAND chapter last year upon recommendation from a friend.  When an inauspiciously timed softball game prevented the majority of the chapter from attending STAND’s 2011 Pledge2Protect conference, I found myself on a bus to DC, not knowing what to expect and mostly just enjoying the opportunity to get off campus for the weekend.  There, I met then-Advocacy Coordinator Daniel Solomon, who recommended that I apply for his position based on my interest in all things policy.

Serving as Advocacy Coordinator on the Managing Committee this has been an incredible experience.  The position has given me a broad perspective on the field of mass atrocities advocacy, enabling me to see how everyone from students at the grassroots level to adults at the professional level engage with these topics.  With this perspective, I’ve also been able to learn in more depth about the wide range of policy approaches available for any given conflict, and have had the great privilege of talking with many different people about their thoughts and concerns on atrocities prevention policy.  The Advocacy Coordinator position placed me in a convenient place to act on my own convictions about what US foreign policy should look like, but it also placed me in a strong place to be a listener, to absorb the opinions of others, and to bring these thoughts into productive conversation which emphasized a policy development process that is first careful, deliberate, involved, and self-critical.  This position has also provided me with an enviable opportunity to develop my own capacity to be an effective advocate — for mass atrocities prevention or other issues.  By no means did I come into this position as an expert, but over the course of the last year I’ve learned bundles about the lobbying process, US foreign policy and legislation, policy and legislation development, conflict analysis, and much more.  

Moreover, I’ve also come out of this position with many invaluable relationships — with people I admire and who inspire me; with people who’ve taught, guided, and challenged me; with people who I have had the privilege of teaching; with people with whom I’ve simply enjoyed goofing off and throwing around 90s slang.  The students I worked with this year, in particular, have been endlessly inspiring.  Whether starting a chapter from scratch or trying to negotiate a conflict-free campus agreement with a tough administration, students’ use of creative problem-solving to navigate their particular positioning and resources has been especially inspiring to me, demonstrating the power of will, passion, and perseverance to promote peaceful solutions to global conflicts.  I’ve been immensely impressed by the quality of policy discussions on Core Chapter email threads, and feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know individual STAND leaders and help them adapt policy approaches to their specific interests and situations.  Additionally, I’ve been privileged to work with the rest of the Managing Committee, whose energy, creativity, thoughtfulness, and commitment to STAND have had immeasurable impact on bringing students together across the nation to work collaboratively toward peaceful conflict resolution.  Their dedication to making this organization more effective and more inclusive — while maintaining the lightheartedness that builds strong friendships and makes long-term work on often emotionally-trying issues bearable — is remarkable, and it has been an honor to work with them.

I recommend the Advocacy Coordinator position to anyone who is interested in the policy side of global conflicts, who is self-motivated and open-minded, and who willing to experiment with new strategies and approaches to old problems.  The position holds incredible potential — access to professionals and experts with long and dynamic experiences in the advocacy sphere, access to a wealth of information on conflicts, policy, and legislation, and the ability to connect with and lead a national student movement — and what you get out of the job depends on how much you are willing to put into it.  I am excited for all that awaits the next person to assume this role, and look forward to seeing how STAND’s advocacy changes and develops under new leadership.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns about this position; I am more than happy to chat with you about it.  Best, until then!

Peace,
Maria

By Comms Blogger Tyler S. Bugg

It’s never been a better time to be an activist.        

Six acts of genocide have anniversaries in April: Armenia, the Holocaust, Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur. And so it’s wildly appropriate (and important) that April is Genocide Prevention Month. The STAND community is committed to using the month for a deeper understanding of ongoing atrocities and of the power of ongoing advocacy. And it starts with you.

In the spirit of this month’s focus, here’s a list of steps you can take in developing your own advocacy while also connecting to that of others.

Learn:

• Become more aware. Keep in touch with STAND’s blog, which features weekly updates of the going-ons in the ongoing conflict areas most vulnerable to continued civilian violence.
• See what others are saying. Cross-engage STAND partners Enough Project and Human Rights Watch to find out how they address genocide atrocities and prevention.
• Learn the best ways to act. Become familiar with the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), a norm-setting United Nations initiative that holds states accountable in the protection against mass atrocities. (See STAND’s thoughts about the positive potential of R2P.)

Act:

• Engage your representatives. Call 1-800-GENOCIDE to learn how to urge your representatives to declare support for Genocide Prevention Month and for an ongoing commitment to international human rights diplomacy.
• Engage your peers. Organize and host an event on your school’s campus to discuss the ongoing violence in Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, and the DRC and the ways your community can rally around a vision of genocide elimination and future prevention.
• Engage your campus grounds. Chalk your campus’s sidewalks with the striking data representing ongoing conflict or in honor of the victims and survivors alike who continue to struggle for futures beyond fear.
• Engage your administration. Host meetings, circulate petitions, and meet with your school’s administration to ask their support in making your campus community and resources conflict-free.
• Engage your networks. Spread your message through grassroots social media. Share your thoughts via Facebook and tweet a “fact a day.” At least once a day throughout the month, share the reasons why you’re observing Genocide Prevention Month, and join others doing the same with the hashtags “#AprilAdvocacy,” “#genocideawareness,” and “#genprev.”
• Engage those affected. Throughout the month, follow United to End Genocide’s “Our Voices” campaign, an effort to highlight and empower the individual voices of those directly affected by genocides past and present. Hear directly from them about you can connect to and amplify their narratives and their own suggestions for local, long-term change.
• Engage the history of human rights advocacy. Take time to visit (or revisit) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reflect of its applicability this month, and be the change!

And most importantly, further the discussion. Extend the spirit of your advocacy this month into the rest of the year. Ongoing violence can best be met with an ongoing and collective engagement with your communities. Successful change is long-term change.

Have more ideas? Share them with us! Link us on your blog posts, tag us on your Facebook posts, and tweet at us with your thoughts. We want to hear about your outSTANDing work and inspire others to stand with you!
 

By Comms Blogger Roberta Barnett

You’ve probably seen it, read numerous blog posts about it, thought about it, and maybe even discussed it with your chapter.  And no matter how you feel about Invisible Children, the campaign, or its intermediate goals, it’s important to bring it full circle to realize that the end goal, putting an end to atrocities perpetrated by the LRA on children and families in Central Africa, is pretty much the same.

Opinions aside, it’s hard to ignore the amount of attention the video has gotten from students, Internet personalities, and news organizations.  The interest we have is a powerful tool that if used effectively, can really make an impact on people in our own communities, and indirectly, communities halfway across the world.  There have been several blog posts and thoughts shared as to why the video was such a social media hit, so I will not discuss that here (I think Student Director Daniel Solomon’s piece on Securing Rights really helped me gain a better understanding of this). 

One thing almost all STAND members have supported is using the KONY 2012 video to help raise awareness among students.  As the video is primarily the story of Jason Russell and his son, it was certainly difficult for KONY 2012 to offer the full story of the LRA’s impact in Central Africa.  This is a great opportunity for STAND to educate on major conflicts from Uganda, to the DRC, to Sudan.  Colby STAND recently held a successful discussion event between professors and students that was not only educational, but allowed students to participate.  Other chapters have had similar meetings.  If yours hasn’t, try planning an event that is both educational and interactive.

The social media campaign also an opportunity for networking.  I was actually quite surprised to see the diversity of people “liking” or “sharing” the KONY 2012 video.  For the most part, I had never even seen any of these people at a STAND meeting.  For my chapter’s upcoming event, we are encouraging these digital activists to leave the confines of their computers to discuss the very real issues in person.  Likewise, it’s an opportunity to reach out to other internationally focused organizations such as Model UN and Amnesty International in order to create a larger campus impact.  Invite another club to check out your discussion, or better yet, host an event together!  You may just get a few new STAND members. 

While STAND does not necessarily support the actions recommended at the end of KONY 2012, there are still tangible requests to ask of your fellow students while you have their attention.  STAND alum Janessa Goldbeck has been biking throughout the Southern U.S. to raise awareness of the importance of U.S. leadership on conflict prevention, humanitarian aid, and civilian protection.  In order for the U.S. to take effective, life-saving action in the future, it needs to have sufficient funds allocated to do so.  Significant foreign aid would probably not be a reality if constituents like you did not support it.  You and your chapter members can call Congress at (202) 505-5012 to show your support for foreign aid.  You can also support upcoming legislation, such as The Sudan Peace, Security, and Accountability Act of 2012, by calling 1-800-GENOCIDE and talking to your representative about it.

Many core chapter leaders are sharing their take on KONY 2012 on the Google Group.  Join in the discussion!  If you’re not part of the group or are unsure of how to use it, contact media@standnow.org. 

By Chapter Leader Gillie Collins

Nobel Prize winner and Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi said “we will surely get to our destination if we join hands.” As anti-genocide activists in the U.S., how do we join hands with the Burmese people from thousands of miles away?

On February 9, 2012, Stanford STAND chipped away at this distance by hosting a “Burma Storytelling” program. Through homemade Burmese food, live music, and spoken word performances, the event highlighted Burmese culture and spotlighted unheard perspectives on the Burmese people’s liberation movement.
Su Wai, a top Saung Gauk player and singer in Burma who recently immigrated to the US, welcomed guests by performing traditional Burmese harp and vocals. Stanford Storytelling Project and Stanford Spoken Word Collective performed testimonies by Burmese refugees, compiled in Voice of Witness’s book, Nowhere to Be Home: Stories of Survivors of Burma’s Military Regime. The stories were connected to presentations by Stanford students: Jared Naimark, Stanford STAND Coordinator, spoke about the environmental justice issues undergirding Burma’s democratization, and Kate Morton discussed her experience interning for U.S. Campaign for Burma. Armelle Goreux, a Burmese Stanford Student, also reflected on her experiences traveling to Burma. Finally, Myra Dahgaypaw, Campaigns Coordinator for U.S. Campaign for Burma, shared her personal experiences as IDP in Burma and pro-democracy activist.

In organizing “Burma Storytelling,” STAND aimed to include diverse student groups in the event’s planning. While it was challenging to coordinate logistics among activist, arts, and cultural organizations, the process of organizing Burma storytelling engaged a wider swathe of the student leadership in discussions about Burma’s democratization. As we established and reinforced relationships with other Stanford student groups to arrange “Burma Storytelling,” we hope that these connections will serve as groundwork for future collaboration. In order to effectively mobilize as an anti-genocide constituency, we must share resources with other causes and communities. Moving forward, Stanford STAND is particularly committed to engaging the intersection of activist communities, embracing a multidisciplinary, multi-stakeholder approach to promoting civilian protection.

As always, we are excited to share our experiences and resources with other schools who are interested in hosting similar events. If you have questions, feel free to send us an email at gcollins@stanford.edu