Advocating for human rights and addressing global injustices is a crucial area of interest as it affects the vast majority of the world. Seniors Olivia Pozo and Sam Levinger came together with peers and faculty to create a new club: Amnesty International.
Amnesty International stands as a beacon of hope and justice dedicated to alleviating the suffering caused by human rights violations worldwide. The movement, an extensive network of activists and supporters extending far beyond our school, consists of more than 10 million people advocating for a future where everyone enjoys and exercises human rights.
“I learned about the topic from taking Dr. Daniel’s class covering Global Politics. He was teaching a new unit having to do with human rights, and Amnesty International sparked my interest which quickly led to the idea of turning it into a club at our school,” Pozo said.
According to faculty sponsor and International Baccalaureate Extended Essay Coordinator Linde Barrett, the program empowers students to engage deeply with real-world issues that go beyond the classroom. Through Amnesty International, members of the club gain practical experience in activism, focusing on global human rights challenges. Each month, students will delve into a specific issue, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, before taking tangible steps to make a difference.
“We will be having one meeting per month, educating members about a specific human rights violation, through a slideshow, facilitating a discussion, and then participating in advocating for human rights by either writing letters to governments, organizing fundraisers, or organizing protests,” Barrett said.
Pozo and Lenvinger directly contacted Puraav Karnavat, a college freshman and former leader of the Amnesty International chapter at his high school, to help along the way. The club’s agenda includes a dynamic approach to addressing various human rights issues on a global scale. By highlighting a different human rights violation each month, Amnesty International aims to raise awareness and take action across a broad spectrum of critical concerns.
“The global issue that the club hopes to support is human rights in total. We will be focusing on one specific human rights violation a month around the world, not focusing on just one specific one,” Pozo said.
So far, 47 students joined the club where they will be discussing global situations. This growing membership reflects a strong interest in addressing critical issues and engaging in meaningful activism from the school community.
“I look forward to participating in human rights advocacy, raising awareness on global issues, and contributing to campaigns that promote justice and equality,” senior Alexis Melchor said — a member who joined during last Wednesday’s Club Rush event in the upper school gymnasium.
Aside from assimilating foreign affairs, Melchor expresses her enthusiasm for future endeavors. She is particularly excited about the opportunity to apply her knowledge in real-world contexts, specifically by working on projects aimed at promoting education, healthcare, and legal protections for low-income areas.
“I’m looking forward to collaborating with other students and participating in projects to defend the rights of underprivileged communities around the world,” Melchor said.
Members and their peers will come together to promote change in the world and within the community. This collaborative effort will foster a deeper understanding of global issues and provide valuable resources for student engagement.
“I feel good about the club. As a contributor, students will be provided with new knowledge and resources they weren’t aware of before,” Barrett said.
The formation of the Amnesty International club represents a significant step forward in fostering a culture of activism and awareness within the school. With its ambitious plans and the dedication of its founders, the club is confident in making a meaningful impact both on campus and in the broader community.
“As this is Amnesty International’s first year at our school, I aim to organize at least one peaceful protest on campus,” Pozo said.
