A BRIEF SUMMARY REPORT – (Full report will be presented at the next meeting, including conclusions that g48 can draw from those things discussed)

Amnesty & the Outside World

The world is facing two major crises at the moment: terrorism and climate change. Amnesty needs to address the world’s worst human rights abuses and turn words into action.

Three main foci:

n         1)    Women and poverty (violence against women, women’s empowerment),

n         2)    Wealth and development,

n         3)    Business ethics.

Other issues discussed were the continuing concentration of media in the hands of a few, the globalizing world and unequal development (Global North/Global South), movement of people, aspects of democracy and transparency in global and national governance.

AI’s CURRENT SITUATION & CAPACITY

l        Global membership increased from 1.5 to 2.2 members from 2001 – 2005.

l        AI’s total income in Euros increased from 89 million in 1996, 143 million in 2003 to 181 million in 2005.

l        Women’s position in Amnesty is increasing and currently makes up over half in key areas like global leadership and membership.

REPORT FROM THE 2007 INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING

The 2007 AI ICM was held in Morelos, Mexico over 8 days and was attended by three Korean delegates and other delegates from a total of 63 countries. The main aim of the meeting was to discuss how to strengthen the global system (of AI) by focusing on the following points: transparency, One Amnesty strategy (the challenge of incorporating One Amnesty in Korea), evaluation of AI’s actions, and internal democracy. A number of reports were presented and discussed at the meeting.

From Adoption to Agency

Until now Amnesty has taken victims and worked for their causes, using the ‘victim’ as an agent. The new strategy is to encourage self-empowerment for people: victims are now called ‘survivors’; ‘shareholders’ are now ‘stakeholders’; from a Western to a global coalition mentality.

KOREAN CHAPTER REPORT

AI has grown exponentially since 2005, from 700 members (July 2005) to 7,000 members in (December) 2007. People hear about AI mostly through the media, then on campus, and then through our street presence (campaigns). AI must be for the poor, victims of torture and their families, the deported. HR begin must begin at home. Asia’s poverty must be voiced by AI. We need to become more youth-focused, highlight the importance of AI to Koreans, promote AI through mass-scale events, become more democratic and transparent, avoid being political (this is viewed as a roadblock). Industries in Korea lack the proper education facilities but HR education is important for businesses. The focus needs to shift from the rich to educating and engaging the poor in HR activity. There is much potential in Korea for HR activity. AI Korea needs to actively encourage the growth of ‘Asia’ in the global society. AI needs to focus on environmental rights. Many people had spoken about their inspiration in becoming involved in HR coming from AI.

What we need to do – be visible and valuable

Find out what members need and want. Send out thank you letters, memorabilia, provide other forms of recognition, offer free support and services and focus more on finance and marketing.

New Membership and Activity

Between October and December 2007 102 new members were recruited, with 67% coming from direct dialogue (DD) and 45% being aged in their 20s, 35% in their 30s. Despite this increase in membership, activity over this same period decreased. Data management is not membership management. Need to improve our human resources.