| Affiliation with other organizations: |
The Enough Project; AMICC, the American Coalition for the International Criminal Court; Habitat for Humanity; local theater companies including the Guthrie Theater, Youth Performance Company, Penumbra Theater, and the History Theatre; Minnesota International Center; Delta Kappa Gamma, international society for women educators; faith, civic, and educational organizations throughout the region including places of worship, high schools, colleges, and universities; other human rights organizations including the American Refugee Committee, the Center for Victims of Torture, the Advocates for Human Rights, the Program in Human Rights and Health at the University of Minnesota, and the Human Rights Program at the University of Minnesota. World Without Genocide is a member of the Association of Holocaust Organizations, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, the Midwest Coalition for Human Rights, and the Minnesota Alliance for the International Criminal Court. |
| Publications: |
Genocide and the Law: Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Darfur 2012 |
| Purpose of the organization: |
World Without Genocide has a unique mission within the human rights field. Most other organizations address the problems that stem from genocide and other mass atrocities: displacement, disease, torture, hunger and starvation, etc. World Without Genocide is concerned with the problem itself: genocide. Genocide is not a natural disaster like a tsunami, an earthquake, or a hurricane. It is man-made, and as such, it can be prevented through sufficient public engagement. The goal is to generate that public engagement through an educated, informed, trained, and deeply committed citizenry. |
| Confirmation of the activities of the organization at the regional, national or international level: |
1) Summer Institute for High School and College Students: increase youth civic engagement with human and civil rights on both local and global levels. Each summer the theme focuses on a different genocide or conflict and related human rights issues. It engages students, parents, educators, and local and state elected officials, giving students access to civil society in action. 2) Exhibit: Genocide and Justice: From Nuremberg to the International Criminal Court, features 23 free-standing, 7’ banners with information about the Holocaust and the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur; highlights of the international tribunals and domestic prosecutions for these genocides; and information about regional human rights courts and commissions. Global ‘upstanders’ in human rights are recognized for their contributions to justice.3) The organization advocates at local, state, and national levels for increased human rights and anti-genocide programs. Achievements include: • Passage of statewide legislation in Minnesota prohibiting marriage before the age of 18; • Passage of legislation designating April as Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month: State of Minnesota resolution 2011, and State of Minnesota bill 2013; • Passage of conflict-free minerals resolutions, encouraging organizations to purchase electronics with responsibly sourced minerals to reduce financing of killings, gender violence, and exploitation of children: Mitchell Hamline School of Law Student Bar Association, and the City of Edina, Minnesota 2012, and ongoing advocacy for conflict-free minerals resolutions at the Minnesota Department of Administration, the University of St. Thomas, the University of Minnesota, and other public and private institutions; • Successful advocacy for a bill to protect LGBT populations from peremptory dismissal on state juries, 2012 • Passage of divestment legislation to redirect money from companies complicit with the Darfur genocide: State of Minnesota, 2007, and eight Minnesota cities, 2007-2010; • Passage of genocide prevention resolution: City of Edina, Minnesota, 2007. 4) An annual trip to New York and Washington, D.C. for law students: explore internship and career opportunities in human rights and law at meetings with international leaders. 5) The Benjamin B. Ferencz Fellowships in Law and Human Rights: support law students to work in important human rights issues at the local, state, and national levels. 6) Two documentaries produced in collaboration with public television. 7) Graduate and law classes on genocide prevention; taught by the Executive Director at Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, MN. 8) The organization hosts film screenings, a speakers’ bureau, conferences, and workshops to educate the public about past and current genocides and conflicts. |
| A list of members of the governing body of the organization, and their countries of nationality: |
Board of Directors members: Elizabeth Meske, J.D., Board Chair, Colleen Feige, Board Vice-Chair, Pastor James Erlandson, Board Treasurer, Rachel Carlson, J.D., Board Secretary, Guled Ibrahim, J.D., Board member, Jaylani Hussein, Board member, Leslie Lagerstrom, Board member, Amanda McAllister Novak, J.D., Board member, Christine Stark, Board member, Senior Judge Edward Wilson, J.D., Board member, Ellen Kennedy, Ph.D., Executive Director |
Quadrennial report due? Read more on our updated page.
Questions on applications, reports, or other inquiries
Applying for ECOSOC Consultative Status?
Obtaining a UN Grounds Pass
Registering for a UN Conference?