Civil and Human Rights

On June 20, 2008, an incredible woman named Rose Mapendo addressed the United States of America alongside the First Lady in honor of World Refugee Day at the White House. Ten years ago, she was imprisoned with her family during the ethnic conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo; her journey from seemingly hopeless beginnings to her present station as an advocate of peace and support for refugees has inspired the creation of an organization that continues to provide sanctuary for refugees, Mapendo International.

Karen Tse of International Bridges to Justice, as well as a 2002 Echoing Green Fellow, Ashoka Fellow, and Skoll Award winner, just announced a new competition to support the best idea to end torture and abuse. Called JusticeMakers, the campaign opens with a $5,000 prize to "implement an idea that curbs torture, arbitrary detainment or abuse." Apply... or if you don't have an idea, pass on the good word.

Shreen Abdul Saroor, Sohini Chakraborty, Vuslat Dogan Sabanci, and Betty Makoni all have something in common: they are all reaching into and empowering communities to speak out against violence towards women.  Last week's Washington Post profiled the activists as they reflected on women and young girls they’ve encountered with little legal protection against the sexual and other violence they face in their countries. All of this comes in light of the International Viole

2006 Echoing Green Fellow Sari Bashi’s issue received New York Times front page coverage today in an article “Confined, Gazans Lose Their Funds For Study in U.S” The article profiles students who are trapped in Gaza and therefore, unable to pursue their academic studies around the world. In particular, seven Palestinian students who received a Fulbright Fellowship were informed yesterday that their prestigious grant was cancelled.

This week, The Boston Globe published a truly moving op-ed by 2006 Echoing Green Fellow Sasha Chanoff. Sasha tells the story of John, a Congolese refuge, living in the impoverished outskirts of Nairobi. After barely escaping violence in nearby refugee camps in Congo and Burundi, John and his family took their chances in the city. Sasha estimates that more than 100,000 "forgotten" refugees have similar stories and are living in Nairobi without assistance, aid, or any international recognition.

In this clip, 1993 Echoing Green Fellow Charlie Lord talks about his Moment of Obligation and the experiences that drove him to seek social change. While in law school, Charlie realized the connections between environmentally unfriendly practices, and social injustices in low-income neighborhoods. He became inspired to transform environmental standards with the aim of creating safe cities and communities.

You don't want to miss Sasha Chanoff's interview with the Skolll Foundation's SocialEdge.org roving reporter, Global X. In the interview, Sasha recounts the extraordinary story of Rose Mapendo, a former Tutsi refugee he brought from a Congolese war prison to safety in America. She recently won the 2007 “Volvo for Life Hero Award.”

Sudanese refugee and her children on Israel-Egypt border (Photo: Meir Azulay)