Human rights "teach-ins" on the way
Amy Harmon '10
Issue date: 2/18/09 Section: Features
Wheaton alum Giuliana Brogna '07 began the Wheaton chapter of Amnesty International (AI) two years ago as a non-profit organization based on securing human rights around the globe. This year Alena Svobodova '09 is one of the main members of the group. She was inspired to join the group after going abroad her junior year and creating many international friendships. She made friends in countries such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, as well as various countries in Africa.
Wheaton's chapter of AI works on one campaign at a time, focusing either on a country or a certain group of people. This year, Wheaton's AI is focusing on refugees and asylum seekers: people who flee their homes and countries for political reasons, and also on children soldiers.
The group gathers once a week to give out new information and discuss upcoming events that they will be involved in. "Wheaton's AI is a small group of committed student volunteers," says Svobodova, "but the size makes it easier to rely on the few to follow through with their collective goals."
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration, AI is co-sponsoring with SSSR, SGA and Amnesty House, a weeklong event in which professors from all departments will teach special classes devoted to human rights in relation to their subjects. Svobodova called these "teach-ins" a great way for students to realize that helping is everyone's responsibility. During the week there will also be a panel of students familiar with human rights activism sharing their experiences. "[We're] trying to raise awareness that what we have here is being taken advantage of," said Svobodova.
"Teach-ins" are intended to raise awareness of issues past and present, and how students can use their knowledge to help the world in the future.
Although Wheaton has had previous "teach-ins" over the years, most recently they were held in the wake of 9/11.
Within the next two weeks, participating professors from every department across campus will devote part of or all of their class to "teach-ins" regarding human rights, and how human rights relate to the classes they are teaching.
The current knowledge of the faculty will be passed along to all of the students, who will then be able to learn on their own in the future and pass on the information.
Wheaton's chapter of AI works on one campaign at a time, focusing either on a country or a certain group of people. This year, Wheaton's AI is focusing on refugees and asylum seekers: people who flee their homes and countries for political reasons, and also on children soldiers.
The group gathers once a week to give out new information and discuss upcoming events that they will be involved in. "Wheaton's AI is a small group of committed student volunteers," says Svobodova, "but the size makes it easier to rely on the few to follow through with their collective goals."
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Human Rights Declaration, AI is co-sponsoring with SSSR, SGA and Amnesty House, a weeklong event in which professors from all departments will teach special classes devoted to human rights in relation to their subjects. Svobodova called these "teach-ins" a great way for students to realize that helping is everyone's responsibility. During the week there will also be a panel of students familiar with human rights activism sharing their experiences. "[We're] trying to raise awareness that what we have here is being taken advantage of," said Svobodova.
"Teach-ins" are intended to raise awareness of issues past and present, and how students can use their knowledge to help the world in the future.
Although Wheaton has had previous "teach-ins" over the years, most recently they were held in the wake of 9/11.
Within the next two weeks, participating professors from every department across campus will devote part of or all of their class to "teach-ins" regarding human rights, and how human rights relate to the classes they are teaching.
The current knowledge of the faculty will be passed along to all of the students, who will then be able to learn on their own in the future and pass on the information.
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