From February 2-4 STAND: A Student Anti-Genocide Coalition, held its Western Region Conference at the
University of
California,
Berkeley with over 160 attendees. The conference was a huge success, given the fact that it was organized strictly by students for students in the name of a cause; to stop genocide. A fellow AYF member and I attended this extraordinary event on behalf of our respective STAND chapters.
The issue at hand was the genocide currently taking place in Darfur, and the message was how to act. The weekend was full of lectures and workshops, and was concluded with a successful die-in. The topics discussed were current Darfur legislation, how to initiate and advance legislation, how to lobby congress, successful media tactics, as well as the current situation on the ground in Darfur to name a few.
STAND has truly been an amazing student movement of our time, with chapters currently located in over 15 countries. What started in Goergetown University found its way across to numerous universities, colleges, and high schools. STAND has taken a truly grassroots model. There is a STAND National who is there only to provide resources and help to chapters. Chapters are the ones who take initiatives and formulate strategies.
STAND is currently fighting for US and international sanctions on the Khartoum Regime, as well as a UN peacekeeping force in Darfur to stop atrocities. The international response has been weak. It seems as though the world is waiting for the genocide to be completed so that it may stand up after it is all done and say, ‘never again!’
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