A Good Name

In my last post, I mentioned that Coalition for Darfur has stopped, at least for now, but that there are other blogs to get regular information on Darfur. I mentioned the Enough Project, only because the Coalition mentioned it in their last post. At the time, I hadn't checked out their blog yet. I finally did check it out and I am very impressed. Their mission is to provide regular information not just on Darfur, but also northern Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. I am really glad that there is a blog focusing on those three areas of serious conflict. In fact, I have long hoped that the international community would expand their focus from just Darfur to include other regions where violence and displacement continue.

Hold on to Hope

From the beginning of the atrocities in Darfur, I remember thinking to myself "what can I do to help?." My question to myself was an overwhelming thought. The news from Darfur seemed to get worse and worse and I felt helpless and at times hopeless. However, every time I learned that people were uniting to raise awareness on Darfur, I began to regain hope and felt that if we all just kept talking about it, maybe some good would result. If just one more person knew about what was happening in Darfur that is one more person closer to making a difference. When I joined the Human Rights Committee I decided that I was going to make it my mission to have a voice for those who do not. We must forge ahead with whatever we can do and by talking about it and keeping aware of what is happening, we can work together to do something about it. I guess what I am trying to say is, as untouchable the situation appears to be for an effective change, we must hold on to hope.

Recently I did a Google search on 'Crisis in Darfur' and came upon an amazing tool. The United States Holocaust Museum has partnered with Google in an unprecedented online mapping initiative. The program "Crisis in Darfur," enables more than 200 million Google Earth users worldwide to better visualize the genocide unfolding in Darfur. Overtime this tool will include information on potential genocides, allowing for citizens, governments, and institutions to respond.

I liked what the Director of Unites States Holocaust Museum said about the initiative.

"Educating today's generation about the atrocities of the past and present can be enhanced by technologies such as Google Earth. When it comes to responding to genocide, the world's record is terrible. We hope this important initiative with Google will make it that much harder for the world to ignore those who need us the most."

Learn more...
http://www.ushmm.org/googleearth/

— Sara J. Bloomfield, Director, USHMM

It's Getting to Everyone

At the first blog I wrote for, Restless Mania, we joined a group called the Coalition for Darfur. Basically, it was another blog that provided regular updates and advocacy for the situation in Darfur. Every week we agreed to post a message from them on our blog. Restless Mania has since gone idle, but Coalition for Darfur has kept chugging. When I went back to it today though, my heart sank. Apparently the author feels the same way I do:

Having posted here on an almost daily basis for nearly three years, I have to admit that the entire crisis is wearing me down and I am finding it harder and harder to keep reading and posting articles about the daily ins-and-outs of what is happening.

On top of that, I am getting increasingly busy with work and other things - so I am going to put this blog on hiatus for the time being.

But for those of you still seeking daily updates on what is happening in the region, please visit Passion of the Present, which has consistently posted a vast array of coverage, and the ENOUGH Project.

Best,
KM

I don't want to actually put myself in the same boat though with the author of Coalition for Darfur. This blog has posted daily about Darfur, while I certainly have not. I can't even imagine the stamina it must have taken to have posted for this long about it. But the crisis will wear you down eventually. For three years there has been no real progress and no real outrage. At some point, it is going to seem hopeless and it is natural to want to step away from it. So although I am sad to see such a good site come to an end, I am even sadder because I think I know, at least in part, how the author's heart feels.

There are still sources of regular information on Darfur in case you want to know what is going on. Eric Reeves seems to be active and Darfur Daily News also has information. And the author mentioned two sites I don't know; the Enough Project and Passion of the Present.

Keep the Fire Going

There was an article in today's NY Times about another attack on unarmed civilians in Darfur, allegedly by Sudanese government troops (or at least people dressed as government troops). The article made me think again about how disappointed I am in myself for my lack of real continued advocacy for Darfur. I don't write to my Congressman (now that I have one again - I was living in DC for a while), I don't respond to the emails I get, and I haven't attended any of the rallies. I tell myself that it is because the situation has been going on so long with no hope of meaningful intervention. While I do think that is why I have not been invested in this issue, it isn't a good excuse.

This issue applies to more than just Darfur. It seems that most human rights issues are an uphill battle when it comes to achieving meaningful steps for resolution. What I need to do for myself is find a way to maintain the fire even when issues seem hopeless, as I am afraid many will. I think though that this committee will help me with that.

Who We Are

We are the Human Rights Committee of the Southern New York chapter of the Young Professionals for International Cooperation (YPIC). YPIC is a part of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA). Our basic goal is to advocate for the protection of human rights. Below are descriptions of UNA-USA and YPIC.

What is UNA-USA?

The United Nations Association of the United States of America is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to building understanding of and support for the ideals and vital work of the United Nations among the American people. Its educational and humanitarian campaigns, including teaching students in urban schools, clearing minefields and providing school-based support for children living in HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa, allow people to make a global impact at the local level. In addition, its policy and advocacy programs stress the importance of nations working together and the need for United States leadership in the United Nations. The association is affiliated with the World Federation of United Nations Associations.

Our Mission

"The United Nations Association of the United States of America is dedicated to educating, inspiring and mobilizing Americans to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations, strengthening the United Nations system, promoting constructive United States leadership in that system, and achievement of the goals of the UN Charter."

Young Professionals for International Cooperation
Young Professionals for International Cooperation (YPIC) is a program of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) that seeks to engage young professionals in discussions of international affairs, emphasizing the importance of multilateral cooperation and the United Nations. While we appreciate supporters of all ages, YPIC members are typically between the ages of 21-40, and are a diverse group of individuals from the fields of business, law, government, nonprofit, the arts and philanthropy. YPIC provides an exciting opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals and gives young professionals from all walks of life a unique forum in which to learn more about current international issues, the United Nations, and the work of UNA-USA.

UNA-USA is America's largest grassroots foreign-policy organization and the leading center of research on the United Nations and global issues. UNA-USA carries out its action agenda through a combination of public outreach, policy analysis, and international dialogue, and advances international cooperation and the work of the United Nations through more than 170 community-based Chapters and Divisions nationwide and over 25,000 members. Often, YPICs are programs of local UNA-USA Chapters or Divisions.