Human Rights Rally- Glasgow, Scotland

The last day of the conference was a very powerful day.  The local host committee and the conference planners organized a march and rally for human rights.  The march started at the conference center and went to the University of Glasgow.  There were a number of speakers that discussed the issues of global poverty and human rights violations around the world.

The former president of Ireland, Mary Robinson, led the rally.  She was an elegant but forceful speaker who reminded the crowd of the need for the international community to focus on the issues of global poverty and to pressure countries to live up to their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals.

Pictured: Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland.

In 2000, 189 world leaders signed the Millennium Declaration and agreed to meet a set of benchmarks called the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs.)  The overarching goal is to eradicate extreme poverty.  It is a call for governments to reexamine their commitment to human development.  We are at the half point and now that the focus is off the world leaders, it is essential that the grass roots efforts need to be increased.  We need to hold our world leaders accountable to their commitments.

Near the stage there were three people in orange jumpers symbolically behind bars to remind the crowd of continued violation of the Geneva Convention Accords by the United States.  Guantanamo Bay continues to be a powerful symbol to the world of the double standard that the US has with human rights.

It was on the eve of the national elections in Zimbabwe. A nonprofit leader from there shared the stories of violence and intimidation that were occurring on a daily basis in her country.  Zimbabwe was once the breadbasket for Africa and now it is in spiraling downfall of inflation, food shortages and senseless violence.  It is a shame that my alma mater, Michigan State University, still hasn’t revoked the honorary degree that they presented to “President” Mugabe twenty years ago.  The sham election and the thousands of people killed and raped should be enough for MSU president Lou Anna Simon to act.

The rally was a fitting end to the conference.

Meeting Inspirational Leaders in Glasgow, Scotland

I went to Glasgow, Scotland to attend the CIVICUS World Assembly.  CIVICUS is an international civil society building organization and the World Assembly "is a forum for international civil society representatives to get together, exchange ideas, experiences and build strategies for a just world."

At the conference, I was introduced to two nonprofit anti-poverty activists from Ethiopia, Netsanet Demissie and Daniel Bekele.  They have an inspiring story of fighting injustice and standing up for their beliefs.
 
"Daniel is also head of the policy department at ActionAid International Ethiopia. Netsanet is also the founder of local human rights group Organisation for Social Justice in Ethiopia. Both Daniel and Netsanet assisted in monitoring the May 2005 election, peaceful and legitimate civil society work for which they [stood] trial.

At the start of the trial in May 2006, 131 opposition politicians, journalists and civil society leaders stood accused of a range of charges from genocide to treason. They were among thousands who were detained following protests accusing the government of rigging the 15 May 2005 presidential elections. Many of the accused were acquitted during the course of the trial. Others were convicted but pardoned in July and August 2007 – all of whom had allegedly signed a confession, admitting use of "unconstitutional means to change the constitutionally established government functions” following the 2005 elections.

Although they were asked to sign a similar statement, Daniel and Netsanet declined. They argued that their activities in 2005 were entirely legal and did not serve to undermine, but rather to protect and promote Ethiopia’s constitutional order." (Material provided by CIVICUS)

Though they were offered many opportunities to plead to smaller charges that would have them released to their families earlier, they stood their ground. They feared, if they did plead guilty to any charge, it would hinder the work of other nonprofit leaders in their country trying to provide a vital checks and balance to the government. After a global campaign and significant international pressure, they were released on March 28, 2008.

In talking with them, I found them to be so genuine and down to earth.  One would expect anger and bitterness but they had such a calm aura around them.  I have worked with many great leaders but I was truly inspired by their desire to better their country while standing for their values.

In the US, I have had the opportunity to engage nonprofits in working to promote advocacy.  We often complain of the government and the issues we face but this interaction provided me with a greater appreciation of the health of our civil society.  If anything, it should serve as a symbol for our nonprofit leaders to be more engaged in advocacy and public policy. Advocating on behalf of our clients and causes is a fundamental role in bettering our communities and solving the serious social problems we face in the US. We have the venue and we have the constitutionally protected right to do so.  Each day one of our nonprofit leaders shirk from advocacy for fear or because they don't want to rock the "political" boat, it degrades the hard work of nonprofit leaders across the world.  We have the forum and we shouldn't take it for granted- not when leaders like Daniel and Netsanet are willing to spend years in jail fighting for that same right in their country.

Couchsurfing.com connects Dublin and Edinburgh

Pictured: Jaime Bellos, Patrick Krips and Sam Singh in Edinburgh, Scotland.

We left Morocco to head to Dublin to meet my friend Jaime Bellos.  Jaime and I met in undergraduate during our freshman year at MSU.  He lived with a friend of mine from elementary school in the dorms and we became fast friends. Our schedules in Michigan have been so hectic over the years; we have actually spent more time with each other overseas than in the US.  We have made trips to England, Spain, Greece, Jamaica and now we have added Ireland and Scotland.

Patrick and I arrived at the hostel at the same time Jaime was checking.  Because it was Saturday night we decided to hit the town.  Since neither had been there before, I took them to the Temple Bar area to show them the madness.  On a Saturday night, Temple Bar is taken over by rowdy hen and stag parties- the equivalent to what we Americans call bachelor and bachelorette parties.  At every watering hole, you would find at least one group that was making a stop through.  Most groups have some type of theme ranging from matching t-shirts and hats to more elaborate costumes including my favorite of a group of 15 guys all dressed up as women in high heels.

At one of our stops we met two people, Robbie and Jennie, who were visiting Dublin as part of legal librarian conference.  We started discussing the sites and sharing our stories.  As soon as I mentioned that we were heading to Edinburgh next, Jennie offered to put our group up for a night or two at her apartment.  Jennie is a member, as am I, of a web phenomenon called Couchsurfing.com.  Couchsurfing.com was created to connect travelers with those who live in the community that they are visiting.  A member if they have time and are willing to host, can meet people for coffee, show the visitor around town or put them up at their house.    It uses a similar rating system as e-bay to rate the person hosting and the person visiting.  It is not a perfect platform but my friends that have used it have had good experiences.  I had the opportunity to host a recent MSU alum at my house last year.  Justin “Bugsy” Sailor was heading back to Michigan after going on a fifty state journey.  He documented his journey on a website called the Hometown Invasion. 

I told Jennie that we would call her when we were heading to Edinburgh and if she was still willing, we would then cancel our hostel and stay with her.  She visited the website for "Singh Around the World" and it added a level of comfort for her and we stayed with her for two nights. She was a great host and we appreciate her kindness. 

Pictured:  Our host Jennie Findlay and Jaime Bellos.