2008 Woodie Awards
Group Think: Amnesty International
Brad Roland
Issue date: 10/24/06 Section: Life
Few student groups tackle the global level humanitarian issues that Amnesty International does. The organization works on many matters in the world, ranging from Guantanamo Bay to genocide.
"Amnesty International is a worldwide human rights organization that is based on the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," said Erica Bodane, the President of Amnesty International here at UNCG.
For those unfamiliar with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - which was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 - it serves as a worldwide affirmation of individual rights and the international scale of equality and humanity.
Founded more than 40 years ago, Amnesty International has made its way onto college campuses as students have taken interest in the world around them. "We live in a world where things are falling apart and someone needs to take notice," said Bodane. "The power of information is the most powerful tool."
Amnesty International is an activist group dedicated to making changes of peace in the world. Bodane said she became involved in Amnesty International in her early teenage years and has met with various leaders throughout the organization. This inspired her, she explained, to become president of UNCG's chapter of Amnesty International.
Amnesty meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Elm Room, located in the EUC. If you want to be a member all you have to do is come to the meetings and join your fellow peers.
Upcoming events include a Teach-in for the War on Terror on Nov. 9, which will discuss how the war in Iraq has become more of a "corporate" war, and a letter writing session to Prisoners of Conscience at the end of November - no specific date has been set yet.
The letter writing to Prisoners of Conscience addresses the issue of prisoners who are detained without charge. "Many of these people are isolated and tortured," Bodane explained. The letters almost always make an impact for bettering the situation. Although it may not seem like it at times, world leaders are being impacted by the "power of many voices."
According to Bodane, Amnesty International has a saying: "Its better to light one candle than to lead a world in darkness."
For more information visit www.amnesty.org.
"Amnesty International is a worldwide human rights organization that is based on the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," said Erica Bodane, the President of Amnesty International here at UNCG.
For those unfamiliar with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - which was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 - it serves as a worldwide affirmation of individual rights and the international scale of equality and humanity.
Founded more than 40 years ago, Amnesty International has made its way onto college campuses as students have taken interest in the world around them. "We live in a world where things are falling apart and someone needs to take notice," said Bodane. "The power of information is the most powerful tool."
Amnesty International is an activist group dedicated to making changes of peace in the world. Bodane said she became involved in Amnesty International in her early teenage years and has met with various leaders throughout the organization. This inspired her, she explained, to become president of UNCG's chapter of Amnesty International.
Amnesty meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Elm Room, located in the EUC. If you want to be a member all you have to do is come to the meetings and join your fellow peers.
Upcoming events include a Teach-in for the War on Terror on Nov. 9, which will discuss how the war in Iraq has become more of a "corporate" war, and a letter writing session to Prisoners of Conscience at the end of November - no specific date has been set yet.
The letter writing to Prisoners of Conscience addresses the issue of prisoners who are detained without charge. "Many of these people are isolated and tortured," Bodane explained. The letters almost always make an impact for bettering the situation. Although it may not seem like it at times, world leaders are being impacted by the "power of many voices."
According to Bodane, Amnesty International has a saying: "Its better to light one candle than to lead a world in darkness."
For more information visit www.amnesty.org.
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