In 2011, we witnessed many historic events, including the birth of the world’s newest nation, South Sudan. We also witnessed the people of Libya’s freedom from their corrupt regime, in addition to the birth of the Arab Spring movement. This year we urge you to help support us spread the movement of freedom to help us prevent future genocides. 

As mentioned in our holiday message, STAND is spreading our focus beyond the Sudans and the Democratic Republic of Congo to three more regions. Eventually throughout the year we will be spreading beyond these five regions as we build the capacity to do so. By broadening our range of regions we hope to become an accessible source for education and action for all Canadians. If you haven’t already done so, please consider supporting our path to growth by donating towards our holiday campaign.

As we approach the ninth year since the onset of the Darfur genocide and many preventable genocides since, I urge you to join STAND in fulfilling our New Year’s resolution: help us end genocide in 2012. We deem the occurrences of past genocides as a shame to our international community, and as a result the modern prevalence is simply unacceptable. 

Thank you for joining us on our journey of encouraging Canadian decision makers to stand against humanity’s gravest disasters through international policy and political will.

Best wishes for this year ahead. Together we can make genocide history – let this be the year!

–

Monica Chakravarty is Principal Director of STAND Canada.

The conference is from October 15th to the 16th at the University of Toronto. Share ideas and make yourself heard by applying today! Applications are due on October 1st, 2011.

Join the movement. Hope to see you there!

Please note: STAND will cover transportation and accommodation fees for out of town delegates. Apply today for the early bird $35 attendee fee.

Questions or concerns? Email us at conferences@standcanada.org for more information.

I was introduced to STAND as a grade 11 student when a presenter came to my school and informed my peers and I of the situation in Darfur. The profound impact of that one presentation ignited a hunger for knowledge which snowballed into the desire to advocate on behalf of modern genocide prevention. STAND’s mission entails narrowing the gap between the will to act and actually creating a positive impact in genocide prevention. Through starting off as a passionate student fighting for change myself, STAND made it easy by providing the tools I required to make a difference.

On July 9th 2011, the world witnessed the birth of the new South Sudan nation, yet the accompanying tensions have been escalating from the beginning of this summer. In this past week, the conflict has spread even further to the Bile Nile state. The discovery of eight mass graves dug up in the Nuba Mountains region since June reveals the consequences of inaction in a time of need. We must continue to condemn the military actions of the Sudanese government and call for an immediate cessation of attacks on civilians. The urgency to act proves more dire through each passing day.

While this year marks many challenges for the two Sudans,  it also provides grand opportunity for STAND. Through the usage of our campaigns and simple tools, STAND will continue to fight for peace in both Sudans. STAND strives to motivate Canada to become a world leader in the prevention of future instances of genocide, not only in the Sudans, but also by providing a framework for preventative measures moving forward.

Thank you for your continued support in taking a stand against genocide.

–

Monica Chakravarty is the new Principal Director of STAND Canada.

I am excited to introduce you to someone many of you already know, Monica Chakravarty, in her new role as Principal Director. Monica has been working closely with me in running the organization over the past year, and her enthusiasm and vision for the potential of our organization are inspiring. I am confident that with her in lead, our awesome team will achieve great things in the coming year.

Thank you all for your hard work and support over this past year. In my time as a STAND member these past five years, I have seen this organization grow from five to over 75 chapters, with hundreds of students across the country participating in our campaigns, hosting their own amazing initiatives and meeting with their MPs to advocate for peace in Sudan.  Last year, our organization met new challenges with a new majority government in place in Canada and a new country beginning in South Sudan. As violence in the Sudans continues to surge, it is up to us to hold our decision-makers accountable to take action. I know that coast-to-coast, STAND advocates will continue pushing to make action against genocide a cornerstone of Canadian foreign policy.

Though my time on the national team has come to an end, I will continue to serve as an advocate for peace in Sudan and transition into a mentorship role for the team. I have seen what a small group of students can bloom into over the course of five years – I am excited to see what the next five years will bring for STAND Canada and for the people of the Sudans.

In peace,

Elham Bidgoli, Past Principal Director.

During the course of this federal election, through our Speak The Name campaign, STAND has reached out to every candidate across the country and asked for their support on any of our foreign policy recommendations. The response has been great across all parties, with many candidates voicing their support for all four.

As you examine the issues and get ready to vote on Monday, I invite you to remember your voice as an activist for Darfur and anti-genocide advocacy.

Let your candidates know that you consider this to be a key election issue. Here’s how:

• Review the current party platforms on Darfur.

• Check our current list of supporters to see if your riding is represented yet. Email your candidates to ask them to join the Speak the Name campaign if they haven’t already.

• Send an email to our party leaders asking them to support one of our key policy recommendations.

Above all, please vote on Monday to ensure that those who support the issues that matter to you are represented in government. It is only when we vote for our representatives that we can truly hold them accountable.

–

Elham Bidgoli is Principal Director of STAND Canada.

Friends,

The world seems to be changing all around us.

From regime changes in Tunisia and Egypt, to reports this week of protests in Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, Algeria and Iran, citizens across the world who are dissatisfied with their leaders are voicing their unrest. And the world is taking notice.

In line with these demonstrations have been the protests in Khartoum, Sudan.  Led by a leader who has been charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, the people of Sudan have tried to voice their dissent as well. Yet, they have been largely ignored by the international community.

Though Sudan’s President recently announced that he will not be running again when his term ends in 2015, the people of Sudan can’t afford to wait that long for change.

Seven years on, Darfur remains a region of violence.

Seven years on, thousands of people have been displaced and are living in camps, relying largely on aid groups to stay alive.

Seven years on, the Sudanese government still perpetuates violence and expels international aid when they think no one is looking.

Earlier this month, our Prime Minister issued a statement commending the commitment by the government in Khartoum to respect the outcome of the recent secession vote.  He stated that Canada stands ready to assist Sudan and South Sudan as they each respectively prepare for their post-referendum future.  To ensure that this is a peaceful future, the government of Canada must hold the Sudanese government accountable.

Today, I ask you to let the government of Canada know that you have not forgotten the people of Sudan. Call your local MP or contact our leaders through 1-800-Genocide.  Here is a suggested talking point:

“The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development recommended that Canada to send a high-level delegation to North and South Sudan.  I support this recommendation, and believe that it should include both Ministers and opposition MPs. It should convey our interest in a peaceful future for Sudan, including Darfur. It should also assess, with civil society, needs on the ground and establish how Canada can best help.”

For more suggested talking points, click here.

Let our leaders know that the people of Sudan deserve a chance for peace and stability.

In peace,

Elham Bidgoli

Principal Director

Stand Canada

The Good

In comparison to past genocides, advocacy groups now have the strength of online communication to mobilize rapidly, and ensure that our governments prevent and respond to mass atrocities. In the case of Darfur, the public response around the world was large and rapid. Though hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, and millions remain displaced and face an uncertain future, the violence has slowed dramatically since the peak in 2003-2004. It is not an overstatement to say that groups like Stand helped influence policy, resulting in the approval of the UNAMID peacekeeping force of 26000 personnel, to help provide security. This amounts to the largest peacekeeping mission ever, and though it hasn’t solved the problem, it has likely saved countless lives so far.

The Bad

It is impossible to describe the amount of suffering caused due to genocides over the last century. Simply put, tens of millions of people – tens of millions of voices – tens of millions of smiles – are gone because they belonged to a particular group of people.

The Ugly

Despite the horror of genocide, we seem to be slow learners. At a 2004 meeting of the “Permanent Five” Security Council ambassadors, each were asked behind closed doors about their countries’ expected response to another possible “Rwanda” unfolding  in Burundi.  According to the Singaporean UN representative at the time, Kishore Mahbubani, one after the other they privately admitted that since their countries had no vital interests there, they would not react.

As advocates for a peaceful world free from genocide, our job is not done. We need to continue to tell our governments that we have vital interests wherever there is genocide – a vital interest in our own humanity.

by Aneil Jaswal, Director of Stand for the Dead

Two weeks ago, I attended a lecture given by Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire during which he discussed the importance of leading the future instead of managing it.  As I was sitting in the auditorium, the difference between these two words, which I previously tended to conflate, became more clear.  As Dallaire eloquently explained, management involves dealing with the problems in front of you, while leadership implies proactive thinking; choosing your future instead of coping with it.  As these words and ideas festered in my brain I began to think about how easy it is to confuse these two ideas and how leadership, if mistakenly taken to mean management, establishes unnecessary boundaries around the possible.

The term ‘manager’ appears so often that I wonder sometimes if we even consider what it means and what it connotes.  A quick look into the definition of the word reveals that it refers to a title or position within an organizational structure.  Organizational structures, by and large, have limits. They are models intended to mitigate risk and improve efficiency, but all within clear delineated borders. Leadership, on the other hand, is limitless – there are no ceilings or parameters to leadership.  Instead, the term suggests something bigger than a system.  In essence, people manage problems, but individuals lead change.

Looking back, I wish I understood that difference a few months ago when I was interviewed for a social movements class. My interviewer was perplexed at Stand’s continued existence and asked me how we managed to survive in a world crowded with NGOs.   He asked me how it was possible that our entire organization ran on such a small budget, with no paid employees, no head office, and hundreds of members working in different locations around the continent.  In his opinion, our survival defied the organizational and structural norms of an NGO.  I was completely stumped by this question.  No clear answer came to mind, yet I definitely understood that despite all these constraints, we continued to move forward each year.

Now, the answer seems clear.  Stand doesn’t only exist because it effectively manages its directors, chapters, and volunteers.  It continues to exist because it is a leader.  Instead of becoming bogged down by the limitations of our structure we saw something bigger so we continued to work towards our goals even when people told us that we wouldn’t be able to or that we didn’t have enough money.  I’d like to think that the reason why we’re all still here, working towards putting an end to genocide, is not because we’re effective managers capable of coping with problems. Rather, I’d like to think that Stand exists because we are leaders seeking to define our future and in so doing work outside the limitations of our so-called “structure”.

Laurie Drake is University Chapter Director of Stand Canada.

“Maybe tone down the emphasis on political volunteer stuff,” she said when emailing my résumé back to me. “When people think politics and young people, idiotic radicals often come to mind. You, of course, intend to look like a well-groomed, clean, young, conservative professional. No wacky hippie political bullshit.”

Although I’m not one to wear a tye-dye shirt to a job interview, I wouldn’t be surprised if many people think this in my home province of Alberta. It seems to have a reputation (whether deserved or not) for being apathetic. Although protests happen here, I’ve found that usually only my friends who were already involved in social justice issues attend them in the first place. Whether activism in Canada is facing an identity problem, I don’t know. However, in the last few years I’ve been with Stand, I’ve always seemed to identify myself as an “advocate” as opposed to an “activist” to someone that isn’t involved in a social justice issue. This is probably because I have a fear that people will think of me as radical hippie if I use the word “activist,” whereas using “advocate” is less likely to trigger a frown.

And there maybe something to this. In a purely un-scientific survey, I looked-up the keywords “activist” and “advocate” in two separate searches for the last seven days in the Canadian Newsstand database, which searches Canadian newspaper articles. Both searches produce very different results, revealing stories that can’t be found when doing the other search. I couldn’t find any correlation of any kind between the two searches, but it speaks to the idea that there are two different conceptions of the words.

It really shouldn’t be this way, given that people that label themselves under either category do the same thing: be active on political issues. This is the best way for ordinary people to advance democracy. Without activists, there is no way that our current system of government can function. Politicians need to know what the public thinks when working on an issue, given that policy decisions rarely happen in a vacuum. The public—or rather, the engaged public—helps influence this. Whether you consider yourself an activist or an advocate, your voice is critical to keeping Canada engaged in Sudan and acting against mass atrocities. Despite the potential negative connotations of young people and politics, know that you’re helping keep the political discussion moving by advocating politically. Sudan maybe halfway across the world, but helping the Sudanese people begins right on our backyards.

–

Scott Fenwick is Advocacy Director of Stand Canada.