Taking part in the Amnesty annual conference
Tired, stiff and sore but still in absolute awe.
One SpunOutter talks about taking part in the recent Amnesty International Ireland’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognised human rights to be respected and protected for everyone. The AGM was an opportunity for all members in Ireland to attend and give voice to their thoughts and opinions:
Being a new group from Coláiste Choilm in Swords, we registered for the Amnesty International Ireland’s AGM just the week of the meeting, so we did not get any name tags on arrival at the venue! However, once we had our information packs we were delighted to see free coffee and tea. I was up at 7:30am so it was a gift from God himself.
At 10:30am we proceeded into the main conference room to find our seats and allow the Chair for the day, Seamus Shiels, to open the official Amnesty AGM. His introduction was followed by the current Vice-Chair of the Executive Committee, who spent 25 minutes giving a proper introduction to the AGM. At 11am we had the Treasurer’s report, giving us the finances for Amnesty International Irish Section, which was then followed by a coffee break.
Drinking our coffee, we socialised with various youth groups, creating links and making friends. Schools such as St. Peters College in Dunboyne and third level colleges such as NUI Maynooth were present, along with human rights groups that had plenty of experience.
Next, we had the ‘Youth and Student’ presentation. They talked about what the young people who volunteer with Amnesty have been doing throughout the year and how we contribute a lot to Amnesty’s work.
This was followed by the motions, which seek to steer the work program of the Amnesty Irish Section for the year ahead. All five motions were passed by the members in attendance.
The motions included:
- Name change (to Amnesty International [Ireland]).
- Age threshold (the membership age was lowered from 14 to 12 years old).
- Changed membership fees for youths in full education and training.
- Representation for youths on the Executive Committee.
- Support for equal civil partnership rights.
We had a late and shortened lunch. Of course, to make up for it, lunch was amazing and COMPLIMENTRY. I talked to great people and to my newly-made friends.
After lunch we watched a short film about poverty in Kibera, Kenya. We then went outside onto the banks of the canal to pledge to ‘STAND UP’ to fight against poverty. Afterwards, we came back in to hear all about the Small Places tour. This is an Amnesty music tour around the world.
Next, Noeleen Hartigan got up to talk about OP3- working towards the human dignity campaign. Personally I think the ONLY bad thing about Amnesty International is the acronyms they use. There was reference to the UDHR throughout the AGM, being the 60th anniversary of it. It means the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And OP3, I am not quite sure what that means myself. Operation plan 3, but don’t take my word for it!
Finally we listened to Colm O’Gorman’s year in review presentation followed by keynotes address and a great question and answers session.
Overall, I can sum up the day as inspiring. As I am part of a new youth group in Swords, I cannot wait to get out there and make a name for our group by campaigning for human rights.
And remember, “As long as there is injustice in the world, there will also be Amnesty.”
Find out how you can take action with Amnesty.
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