Social Activism: Amnesty International - Essay Example

Social Activism Amnesty International Amnesty International is an internationally recognized organization with a global membership trying to end serious human abuses that I also feel should be put to a halt. Amnesty International’s efforts in protecting human rights have been tremendous and felt almost in every continent and country. This organization comprises of just ordinary people who strongly defend their rights and the rights of other people thus making it one of the best organizations in social activism (“Amnesty International” Web). The main goal of Amnesty International is to make sure that everyone enjoys all of the human rights that are included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards that include fair trial, total abolition of torture and issues regarding death penalty. The organization believes on the release of prisoners of conscience that include men, women and children who are imprisoned for their beliefs or because of their color, sex or ethnic origin and that there should be fair and prompt trials for all political prisoners as well as an end to the death penalty, torture, extra-judicial and disappearances (“Amnesty International” Web). Amnesty International was formed in London in 1961 by a British lawyer Peter Benenson who asked people to work for thousands of men and women in imprisonment. The British Lawyer launched the organization after reading about two Portuguese students who had been imprisoned for seven years for toasting to freedom and his newspaper appeal “The Forgotten Prisoners” was published internationally on 28 May 1961 bringing thousands of supporters for the idea. Peter Benenson was to mobilize people to stand up peacefully for the release of non-violent political prisoners and that people should have fundamental rights that transcend to national, cultural, religious and ideological boundaries (“Amnesty International” Web). The organization is a democratic and self-organization funded mainly through membership fees paid by its members, voluntary contributions and donations from global membership thus making it a non-partisan, independent and free of any government, political persuasion or economic interest. People who can get involved in the activist efforts are more than a million activists involved with the organization as well as millions of supporters around the world who come from all cultures and reflect a range of viewpoints. Amnesty International membership is open to anyone who supports its goal even without special knowledge or skills and the most important thing is a basic concern for others. Individuals can join through local groups, national membership, and urgent action network as well as outreach networks. The organization relies on donations and contributions from members (“Amnesty International” Web). Activism efforts relate to freeing all prisoners of conscience particularly the ones imprisoned for solely their beliefs, color, sex, language and ethnic origin as well as ensuring fair and prompt trails for all political prisoners. Activism efforts are also directed towards abolishing death penalty, torture and other cruel, inhuman punishments as well as opposing abuses by opposition groups and ending extra-judicial executions and disappearances (“Amnesty International” Web). Amnesty International Centre directs its effort towards taking action to help end human rights violations internationally such as ending torture, stopping making excuses for sexual abuse, stopping deadly attacks against journalists and other grave human rights abuses taking place across the globe. Activism is carried out in different ways including public demonstrations, vigils, letter-writing campaigns, human rights education, direct lobbying and targeted appeals. Moreover, activists may use awareness-raising concerts, email petitions and other online actions, community activities and co-operation with student groups (“Amnesty International” Web). This type of activism helps in understanding more about a social problem affecting most civilians across the world such as imprisoning individuals who are trying to fight for rights of others or opposing the governments of the day. It is apparent from this activism that most people are imprisoned, tortured or fall victims of death penalty even before they are proven guilty. Everyday citizens can help to reduce people’s suffering or raise awareness about a social problem through many ways such as use of social media and demonstrations (“Amnesty International” Web). Save the Children I have chosen Save the Children because of its significance in impoverishing marginalized and vulnerable children as well as caregivers, community members and parents. Children are important groups of the society because they are considered as future leaders and therefore any organization that works towards saving and improving their lives is an organization that focusses on the future of the world. Save the Children protects children from various exploitations and further support them in accessing education and health care which are also vital for the future development and economic growths in their respective countries (“Save the Children” Web). Main goal of Save the Children is to reduce child mortality rates by 2015 and encouraging government policy and practice that can improve children’s welfare. The organization intends to end poverty and educate all children globally in their proposal of new global education goal. The organization ensures that urgent needs of children are met in case of disasters thereby offering services and goods such as diapers and hygiene items to provide a sense of normalcy (“Save the Children” Web). Save the Children was founded by Eglantyne Jebb in 1919 and drafted a declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1923. The first branch was opened in Scotland in 1919 although they received many protests because they aided World War 1 victims. After the World War 1, children were left starving and tuberculosis and rickets were rife and these prompted action from Jebb and her sister Dorothy Buxton who organized for the Save the Children Fund in London. Funds were raised very quickly and since then, the organization has been raising funds to aid children suffering from the effect of war (“Save the Children” Web). It became an effective relief agency that could provide vital needs to children more quickly and inexpensively. Eglantyne successfully managed to build relationship with other Geneva based organizations such as the Red Cross and other international co-operations including nineteen nations (“Save the Children” Web). Anyone can get involved in the activist efforts provided the person is interested in improving the welfare of children. People can get involved in many ways including volunteering, sponsoring of a child or children or donating funds and materials that may help children in improving their lives (“Save the Children” Web). Volunteer opportunities range from short to long term and are open to any committed individuals and they are offered in many ways including finance, fundraising, public policy and social media. Volunteers are always required to commit a certain period of time per week as a way of proving their seriousness and commitment towards their activities or services they are willing to offer (“Save the Children” Web). The efforts relate to sponsorship and volunteering programs that are geared towards solving social problem that is particularly dealing with children. Social activism requires commitment among individuals or activists and does not affiliate itself to any religion, politics or ethnic group. Save the Children solely depends on sponsorship, donors and volunteers in executing their duties just like most of the activism organizations across the world. This type of activism has greatly made me understand how children suffer across the world especially those falling victims of wars in many parts of the world. It is apparent that most children do not get access to basic needs such as shelter, health care and education yet they are important people as far as the future is concerned. This type of activism also shows how every citizen play an important role in the success of social activism (“Save the Children” Web). People volunteer both their time and resources to organizations such as Save the Children just to improve the quality of living of children whom they have no string attached. Save the Children kind of activism indicates that the society’s role in eliminating social problems lies squarely with the members of the society. Works Cited “Amnesty International”. Amnesty.org, 2014. Web. 19 June 2014. http://www.amnesty.org/en “Save the Children”. About Us, 2014. Web. 19 June 2014. http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6146405/k.C7E9/About_Us.htm Read More