We are a nonprofit organization that seeks to strengthen community-based human rights advocacy groups. We aim to strengthen the capacity of such advocates to produce, disseminate and use information effectively.
We seek a world in which disempowered people are able to find their voice and exercise their right to develop – on their own terms and with appropriate support from their government and the international community.
We offer partner organizations a choice of services aimed at strengthening their advocacy:
[Fellows for Peace]
Each year, we recruit graduate students from universities in North America and Europe to take part in a program called Fellows for Peace. Through the program, which was launched in 2003, the fellows volunteer with community-based partners or organizations committed to community-based advocacy. Over the summer of 2007, we sent 31 fellows to partner organizations all over the world.
[Blogs]
Our fellows write at least one blog a week while abroad. Their blogs help to bring alive the work of their hosts and allows them to communicate with friends, universities, and community groups back home that are following their work. Blogging has provided many of our fellows with an outlet for their hopes and frustrations. Several fellows have also used blogs to raise funds for their partners and their own travel costs.
[Dissemination]
We offer our partner organizations the opportunity to disseminate their information through our website and AdvocacyNet, an online news service that takes material from partners and turns them into news bulletins. These news bulletins, which profile innovative models of community-based advocacy and report on community campaigns, are sent out to more than 6,000 subscribers. Partners that lack their own websites post information on customized pages or in blogs on our website.
[Information and Communications Technology (ICT)]
We help partner groups utilize ICT. Our staff assists partners with ICT trouble-shooting and developing websites suited to groups’ specific needs. Fellows help their host groups create social networks through listservs and blogs. In addition, we utilize a method of ICT training known as eRiding. eRiders are technological experts that provide local ICT support for partner organizations.
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Who I'd like to meet: Anyone who believes in social justice and human rights, and anyone who wants to get involved!
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