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St. Olaf Amnesty International hosts Human Rights Week

By Tom Vogel
October 25, 2006

St. Olaf Amnesty International will host its first Human Rights Week Oct. 21-29. The event features a diverse blend of speakers, music and panels designed to further awareness and activism on issues concerning internationally recognized human rights.

Beth Linn '09
Beth Linn '09, event chair for Human Rights Week 2006, says that because of the importance St. Olaf places on a global perspective, it's an ideal environment for the event.
"Given the nature of Amnesty International's message, as well as the 'Global Citizenship' theme this year at St. Olaf, we expect Human Rights Week to be an amazing event," says Beth Linn '09, event chair for Human Rights Week 2006. "St. Olaf is known for its global perspective, and we're fortunate to have that environment to work within," Linn says.

In addition to promoting awareness among the St. Olaf community on issues surrounding human rights, the week's activities are intended provide an introduction to international service opportunities, both on the Hill and beyond, and exist as a visible expression of the St. Olaf community's commitment to educating responsible citizens of the world.

Featured Events for Human Rights Week 2006 are as follow:

Saturday, Oct. 21
2 p.m.
The Lost Boys of Sudan
Viking Theater
A showing of the Emmy-nominated documentary that follows two Sudanese refugees on a journey from Africa to America.

Sunday, Oct. 22
2:30 p.m.
Benjamin Ajak
Science Center Lecture Hall
Benjamin Ajak describes his experience as one of 27,000 "Lost Boys" who, in order to escape violence in Southern Sudan, walked thousands of miles across Sudan to Ethiopia. Five years later, they reached the refugee camps in Northern Kenya. Only half had survived. In 2001, the United States welcomed over 3,000 of Sudan's "Lost Boys" as political refugees into the country.

Monday, Oct. 23
3-6 p.m.
All-campus Letter Writing Campaign
Buntrock Commons, Crossroads
The use of the written word as a means to change governmental policy has been a cornerstone of Amnesty International. In the past, significant victories have been won in the battle for human rights by overwhelming governments with thousands of letters written by volunteers. During the All-campus Letter Writing Campaign, students, faculty and staff are invited to write a letter modeled after the "Urgent Action" responses created by Amnesty International chapters throughout the world. St. Olaf Amnesty International will send all letters to their respective destinations. For every letter written, individuals will receive a free ticket for the Jamnesty raffle on Sunday, Oct. 29.

Tuesday, Oct. 24
7-9:30 p.m.
Student/staff discussion panel
Buntrock Commons, Black & Gold Ballroom
This open discussion, moderated by Professor of English Jonathan Hill, between representatives from student organizations and faculty will focus on issues surrounding "Terrorism and Human Rights." Faculty participants include:
Tony Lott, assistant professor of political science
Samiha Peterson, Professor of Sociology and and department chair
Edmund Santurri, professor of religion and philosophy, director of The Great Conversation
Kathy Tegtmeyer Pak, assistant professor of Asian studies and political science
Kris Thalhammer, associate professor of political science and department chair.


Wednesday, Oct. 25
7 p.m.
"Ethics of Intelligence Gathering and Interrogation" Panel Discussion
Holland Hall 501
Tony Lott, assistant professor of political science, will moderate a panel discussion, open to the public, about the nature of interrogation and the role of the United States military. Panelists will include Roger Brokaw, a reservist and former interrogator at Abu Ghraib; Charles "Chuck" Samuelson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota; Jim Dorsey, attorney for Fredrikson & Byron and co-founder of Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights; and Peter Swanson, attorney for TCF Bank and member of the Center for the American Experiment.

8:45 p.m.
All faiths "Prayer for Peace" gathering
The Lion's Pause
Members of the St. Olaf, Northfield and Carleton College communities will gather together to pray for peace in the world. Leaders from different communities of faith will lead a prayer and share thoughts on the connection between religious belief and human rights.

Thursday, Oct. 26
International service fair
4-7 p.m.
Buntrock Commons, Crossroads
The International Service Fair encourages students to explore ways to become active global citizens. Human rights workers will be on hand to share information about their organizations, their experiences with international service and ways to get involved.

Saturday, Oct. 28
3 p.m.
Robert Flaten '56, former ambassador to Rwanda
"Human Rights Since World War II"
Dittmann Center
St. Olaf alumnus Robert Flaten served as ambassador to Rwanda from 1990-1993, before retiring from the Foreign Service in May 1994. Before going to Rwanda, Flaten was Director of the State Department Office of India, Nepal and Sri Lanka and Director of the Office of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh Affairs in Washington, D.C. He organized and spearheaded a legislative plan for continuing assistance to Pakistan and Afghanistan, and subsequently was part of the team that negotiated the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. His earlier State Department assignments included posts in Israel, Pakistan and France.

Sunday, Oct. 29
7-10:30 p.m.
Jamnesty Concert
The Lion's Pause
Human Rights Week concludes with a benefit concert featuring an eclectic mix of musicians playing everything from blue grass to jazz. In addition to music and food, the winners of the Human Rights Week raffle will be announced (tickets are available at lunch and dinner outside Stav). An all-Ole lineup, including the Limestones, the Joey Cantor Trio and Les Deuce Punks De Faux, will perform. All proceeds from the Jamnesty Concert will go to assist aid work in Darfur.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.