Thursday, October 16, 2008

National Board Update

Overwhelming support for Vision 2014

On behalf of Amnesty International Australia (AIA) the National Board would like to express thanks to all those who participated in the recent consultation on AIA’s vision and human rights impact areas.

We received overwhelming support for the vision and proposed human rights impact areas. Close to 2000 activists, members, volunteers, human rights defenders and staff participated in the consultation and this input has been invaluable in aiding our discussions on the way forward for AIA.

One of the most encouraging findings was the alignment of views between the many and varied groups of respondents. We are very excited to see such support for the vision and priorities of our movement.

The National Board considered the consultation responses at its meeting this weekend and approved the Vision, Positioning Statements and Human Rights Impact Areas for AIA for 2009-2014.

Vision

Amnesty International is a global movement of people who campaign courageously for human rights for everyone.

By 2014 Amnesty International Australia will protect and defend the human rights of more people by:

• Inspiring 500,000 people every year to take action
• Positively influencing and informing key opinion formers and decision makers
• Being an inclusive, authoritative, relevant and bold organisation
• Playing a leading role in Amnesty International, particularly in the Asia Pacific region


Positioning Statements

We are a diverse and democratic movement of people who share fundamental global values – dignity, freedom, justice, equality and a fair go for all.

We are outraged by human rights abuses and create change by inspiring people around the world to take action.

We demand that governments and other decision-makers protect and respect human rights and we will hold them to account.

We are an international movement that speaks out with one voice without compromise or fear to help protect human rights.

We are a grass-roots organisation founded in 1961 - truly independent of government, business, religion or political groups.

We work for and with individuals - to give voice, to stand alongside, and to secure fundamental human rights for all.

We work collaboratively and in partnership with others to achieve shared human rights outcomes.


Human Rights Impact Areas 2009-2014

· Dignity – including Indigenous rights as well as international issues
· Stop Violence Against Women – includes working to secure Australia’s National Plan of Action, working with Indigenous women, and International work particularly in the Asia Pacific region
· Contribution to the Amnesty International movement – includes how we coordinate and communicate our contribution to the global Amnesty International movement in terms of financial contribution, people, intellectual property, democracy and participation, activism and human rights impact
· International emergencies –Crisis Response
· Individuals at risk
· Refugees and asylum seekers rights
· Human Rights Charter for Australia

The first four impact areas are the priority areas for 2009.



Where to from here

We now go straight into planning mode – developing strategic, engaging, inspiring and motivational campaigns that will create human rights impact and that will strengthen, grow and inspire the movement.

As this is the first time we have carried out a consultation on our vision in this way it was really pleasing to have so many people participate. We will continue to improve our consultation mechanisms.

Thank you for all the time and thought you put into replying to the survey and we will continue to keep you informed on progress on our Human Rights Impact Areas.

Best Wishes,

Nicole Bieske, National President
Jim Sharp, Vice President
Michael Butler, Secretary
Dawna Wright, Treasurer
Toni Matulick, ACT Branch President
Anthony Mitchell, NSW Branch President
Maree Klemm, QLD Branch President
Tracy Crisp, SA/NT Branch President
Perdita Sonntag, TAS Branch President
Russell Solomon, VIC Branch President
Caroline Wood, WA Branch President
Georgina Perry, Executive Member
Kate Cooper, Executive Member
Sheena Graham, Executive Member
Claire Mallinson, National Director

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