2011 ended with STAND Canada’s decision to make some very important changes to our mandate and structure. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. 

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.

Join STAND Canada for our annual National Leadership Conference next month in Toronto. Network with STAND advocates from across the nation and develop the leadership skills you require to become a confident anti-genocide advocate. We’ll hear from experts in anti-genocide advocacy and learn about Canada’s strategic role in taking a STAND.

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.

Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of joining a network of anti-genocide advocates from across the nation with the collective mandate of making fighting genocide a cornerstone of Canadian foreign policy. I am now able to reflect in awe upon an organization comprised solely of volunteers who are able to mobilize youth, citizens and Canadian decision makers to join our efforts. To be granted the opportunity to lead such an organization this forthcoming year is a humbling experience that I am proud to take on.

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.

Friends of STAND,

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.

We spend a great deal of time during our year advocating for the Canadian government to act on behalf of those who are victims of genocide. Through calling 1-800-Genocide, holding countless awareness events at university campuses and high schools across the country, and joining the STAND for the Dead campaign, we raise our voices daily to ensure that genocide prevention becomes a Canadian foreign policy priority. This week, however, we have the chance to ensure that the individuals that we elect into Parliament are on our side.

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.