Raising the Roof for Children’s Rights

September 6, 2014: With the help of 60 students, teachers and friends, STF kicked off the 2014-2015 Traveling Children’s Rights Camp during the Fall Leadership Workshop at Wildwood School. Bede Sheppard, Deputy Director of the HRW Children’s Rights Division, joined participants via Skype from Jerusalem to discuss the growing international attention for EMUS…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/raising-the-roof-for-childrens-rights/

EMUS Succeeds Internationally

August 20, 2014: While many of us were vacationing, STF student delegations met with representatives from Finland, New Zealand, the Philippines and Australia to raise awareness of and support for the EMUS Campaign. Students from New Roads, Oakwood, Palisades Charter, Santa Monica and Sierra Canyon schools asked Consul Generals to encourage their governments to step …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/emus-succeeds-internationally/

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, September 6 Fall 2014 Leadership Workshop

Important information:
Who: You, your fellow STF leaders, teachers, advisors, and speakers
Where: Wildwood School
When: Saturday, September 6
Time: 12:30-4:00pm
Campaign: US Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), accompanied by STF’s traveling Children’s Rights Camp
Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/save-the-date-saturday-september-6-fall-2014-leadership-workshop/

Building a Local HRE Collaborative Community

See the event’s slideshow

August 2, 2014: At the third HRE USA Southern California Regional HRE Gathering, 20 educators, students and community members met at the Human Rights Watch Los Angeles office to establish a local Human Rights Education (HRE) collaborative community. Participants shared human rights resources, curricula, and methods, and discussed how to create opportunities to observe HRE best practices in all subject areas. The group was joined by special guests Nancy Flowers and Bill Fernekes…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/building-a-local-hre-collaborative-community/

Consul General Sada Says “Sí” to EMUS

June 23, 2014: In February, Mexican Consul General Carlos M. Sada learned about the End Military Use of Schools (EMUS) Campaign during a community presentation by STF Co-President Karina Duarte at Palisades Charter High School. He welcomed a follow-up meeting with STF. On June 23, representatives from Academy of the Canyons, Canyon, Golden Valley, New Roads, …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/consul-general-sada-says-si-to-emus/

STF Alumni Take Action for EMUS

June 22, 2014: In honor of STF’s 15th anniversary, more than 30 alumni gathered at the Second Alumni Reunion Party held at longtime STF friend Ann Kerr’s home.

Participants updated each other on their activities since leaving STF and discussed future plans, including moves to Cambodia, Singapore and New York City. Linda Gordon, outgoing STF Co-President from Santa Monica HS, explained this year’s STF campaign: End Military Use of Schools (EMUS). Attendees paired up, created slogans and took pictures for EMUS…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/stf-alumni-take-action-for-emus/

STF Celebrates A Year of Firsts

See the event’s slideshow

May 19, 2014: It has been a year of firsts for STF: created and launched an international social media campaign; was featured in an ABC News Flash; met privately with UN Ambassador Samantha Power; gained approval and support from Hart School District Governing Board to establish human rights education electives in district public high schools, and so much more…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/stf-celebrates-a-year-of-firsts/

Congresswoman Janice Hahn Shocked by EMUS

May 13, 2014: Six members of the Carson STF chapter introduced Congresswoman Janice Hahn to the EMUS campaign on Tuesday. Congresswoman Hahn was enthusiastic to spread the word about EMUS, offering to send letters of support to government representatives and is also willing to make a statement on the House floor, entering the EMUS campaign into the Congressional record…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/congresswoman-janice-hahn-shocked-by-emus/

Oakwood and Sierra Canyon Collaborate with Congressman Sherman’s Rep.

April 30, 2014: STFers from Oakwood and Sierra Canyon schools discussed EMUS with John Alford, the Senior Policy Deputy to Congressman Brad Sherman. After explaining the finer points of the campaign and the Draft Lucens Guidelines, participants explored some of Congressman Sherman’s priorities and brainstormed ways they could help him continue working for a peaceful world. Mr. Alford promised to introduce the congressman to EMUS and figure out how his office can assist the campaign…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/oakwood-and-sierra-canyon-collaborate-with-congressman-shermans-rep/

Golden Valley Presents A History of Genocide

April 29, 2014: Reaching out to more than 500 students, the Golden Valley STF chapter presented a history of genocide with the aid of the film “The Last Survivor.” Over three class periods, the audience learned the stories of survivors of the Holocaust and Rwanda genocides, as well as the conflicts in Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo. After the presentations, students were invited to write words of encouragement and friendship on red hearts for Darfuri refugees.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/golden-valley-presents-a-history-of-genocide/

HRW Hosts LA Premiere of “FOOD CHAINS”

Buy your tickets online, or call 310-477-5540.

Friday, May 16, 2014
6:00 pm Reception with hearty hors d’oeuvres
7:00 pm Film premiere and panel discussion
9:00 pm Reception with coffee and dessert

Continue reading to learn more about the event!

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/hrw-hosts-la-premiere-of-food-chains/

Pali Commemorates Genocide Awareness Month

April 24, 2014: On the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Pali STF showed “The Last Survivor” to engaged students. Participants learned about the genocides in Armenia and Cambodia, as well as mass atrocities in Chile and Sierra Leone. They discussed the steps to genocide and ways high school students can make a difference.

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/pali-commemorates-genocide-awareness-month/

SCV EMUS Delegation Meets with Congressman McKeon’s Deputy Director

April 10, 2014: Members of AOC, Canyon and Hart Student Task Force chapters met with Congressman McKeon’s Deputy Director, Morris Thomas, and Scheduler, Heather Duncan, to provide background on the urgency to end military use of schools and to request a personal meeting with the Congressman…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/scv-emus-delegation-meets-with-congressman-mckeons-deputy-director/

SCV STF Advocates for HRE and EMUS with School Board

April 2, 2014: Members from all five Santa Clarita Valley STF chapters presented the EMUS campaign, outreach efforts at school sites and recent community events to the William S. Hart District Governing Board on Education. To support the EMUS campaign, Board members posed for a picture with slogans made by AOC STF members.

STFers also made a pitch for human rights education (HRE), asking the Board to consider adopting human rights/global studies courses at each campus…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/scv-stf-advocates-for-hre-and-emus-with-school-board/

SAMO STF Hosts HRE Workshop for Teachers

March 26, 2014: For the second year, SAMO STF members hosted teachers and administrators for a Human Rights Education (HRE) workshop during SAMOHI University. A dedicated group of educators and STFers discussed ways to incorporate HRE into English, science and foreign language courses. Students provided participants with suggestions and techniques for introducing HRE through specific lesson plans, reading lists, and other materials…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/samo-stf-hosts-hre-workshop-for-teachers/

Congressman Waxman Supports EMUS

March 18, 2014: Human Rights Watch Student Task Force members from Oakwood, Palisades Charter, Santa Monica, Sierra Canyon and Wildwood chapters met with Congressman Henry Waxman of the 33rd District and presented background about the End Military Use of Schools Campaign….

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/congressman-waxman-supports-emus/

SAMO STF “Occupies” Freshmen Seminars

February 21, 2014: Santa Monica High School STF hosted a simulation event for the End Military Use of Schools (EMUS) Campaign, “occupying” freshmen seminar classes in their Humanities Center.

Beginning as a membership recruitment effort, leaders introduced STF, human rights and the right to education. All of a sudden, the lights went off and the chaos started…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/samo-stf-occupies-freshmen-seminars/

“Hanging Out” With Japan

February 14, 2014: STF leaders from Academy of the Canyon, Santa Monica High School and Palisades Charter High School met with two high schoolers interning with the Human Rights Watch Tokyo office for a Google Hangout session. The students shared engagement and photo gathering techniques, including explanations of different events both the Japanese and American students have hosted since the start of the End Military Use of Schools (EMUS) Campaign. They discussed next steps for EMUS in the US and brainstormed ideas of how the Japanese students can continue to expand the campaign on their end…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/hanging-out-with-japan/

Congratulations STF for 1,000+ Photos!

A message from Bede Sheppard, Deputy Director, HRW Children’s Rights Division:
“Congratulations Student Task Force for collecting the voices of 1,000 students and teachers calling for an end to the military use of schools. We at Human Rights Watch will now be taking these messages to the world’s decision makers to let them know how important it is to students and teachers for schools to be safe places to study and learn.

“Over the next few months we will be delivering your photos to diplomats at the United Nations in New York and Geneva, and we will be taking them to meetings with government officials in Asia, Europe, Canada, and the United States. Thank you for all of your hard work and perseverance (and creativity too). Onwards to the next 1,000!”

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/congratulations-stf-for-1000-photos/

Wildwood Competes for EMUS

February 11, 2014: Wildwood School’s STF chapter successfully ran a school-wide promotion of the End Military Use of Schools (EMUS) Campaign. With a goal to educate their campus and collect photos, Wildwood STF created a video that explained the background of this pressing human rights violation. Once the school community was intrigued and informed, the STF chapter introduced the “EMUS Epic Competition.”…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/wildwood-competes-for-emus/

Hart Educates With A Heart

February 6, 2014: Hart STF chapter held two assemblies, reaching out to 180 students and teachers on campus. Chapter leaders connected with the audience, conveying the urgency of the End Military Use of Schools (EMUS) Campaign through video and PowerPoint. After the presentation, participants took action, creating slogans and posing for photos for the EMUS Tumblr site. Hart STFers will use the slogans and photos on an EMUS “quilt” to be displayed on campus and in outreach efforts with public officials and media.

Congratulations Hart STF for your hard work and great effort raising awareness!

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/hart-educates-with-a-heart/

Pitching EMUS at the Winter Workshop

See the event’s slideshow

January 8, 2014: Student leaders from STF chapters, teacher advisors and supporters reviewed EMUS campaign progress and prepared for spring advocacy meetings with elected officials and international representatives…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/pitching-emus-at-the-winter-workshop/

International Human Rights Day!

As many of you know today is Human Rights Day. The UN first established this day to highlight the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the common standard of achievement for all people and nations. This year we are thrilled to announce that two iconic buildings—New York’s Empire State Building and Toronto’s CN Tower—will be shining HRW blue to commemorate Human Rights Day, and in recognition of Human Rights Watch’s 35 years of work worldwide to protect and promote human rights…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/international-human-rights-day/

AOC and Hart Educate Santa Clarita Valley

Sixteen STF members from four chapters (Academy of the Canyons, Golden Valley High, Hart High and Valencia High) hosted an EMUS Campaign exhibit at the Annual Santa Clarita Valley Literacy and Arts Festival on Saturday, December 7th at the Newhall library. STF students provided attendees with information about EMUS and took photos of teens and adults who wanted to join the campaign…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/aoc-and-hart-educate-santa-clarita-valley/

Sierra Canyon Learns About EMUS

November 20, 2013: The Sierra Canyon STF Chapter, the FREE Club, hosted an event to introduce the End Military Use of Schools Campaign to their school. Club members introduced the campaign, gave examples of what the campaign is and what it is not, and showed the EMUS Tumblr page…

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://www.hrwstf.org/wordpress/sierra-canyon-learns-about-emus/