Advocacy

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In the past, the United States and the international community have failed to prevent and stop genocide because of a lack of political will in our elected officials and among our citizens. There has been no political consequence for our leaders if they did not take action.

GI-NET's theory of change is based on the recognition that a diverse cross-section of the world's population cares deeply about ending and preventing genocide, regardless of where it might occur. It is this citizen pressure that can make genocide prevention an important and relevant political priority for elected officials and policymakers.

OUR IMPACT 

"Genocide Intervention Network is doing something that has never been done before -- empowering an American consituency with the political tools to permanently end genocide." 

-- Samantha Power, Founder and Director of the Carr Center of Human Rights - Harvard University

Already, GI-NET’s efforts have translated into revised thinking on the part of elected officials and policymakers about appropriate responses to genocide and about prevention of current and future mass atrocities. Whether “grading” United States members of Congress on their voting records, or encouraging individual and institutional divestment from companies doing business in corrupt regions implicated in the atrocities, GI-NET’s national network has designed a comprehensive strategy that creates roles for citizens at all levels of engagement.

  • Genocide Prevention: In December 2009—in collaboration with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum—GI-NET led a National Canvass and collected more than 50,000 pledges from people eager to join the movement to prevent genocide.
  • Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act:  In 2007, with support from activists across the country, GI-NET led the successful effort to pass the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act—the most comprehensive legislation to address genocide in Sudan to date.
  • Special Envoy for Sudan: After thousands of calls and letters from GI-NET activists, on March 18, 2009 newly-elected President Obama appointed Major General (Ret) Scott Gration to serve as Special Envoy for Sudan.
  • 1-800 GENOCIDE: Since it launched in 2007, GI-NET’s anti-genocide hotline (the first of its kind) —1-800-GENOCIDE—has enabled nearly 30,000 callers to be directly connected with their elected officials. MAKE THE CALL TODAY.
  • Darfur Scores: Since Darfur Scores was launched in 2006, 255 representatives have improved from a failing grade (D-F) to a passing grade (A-C).17 senators went from a failing (D-F) grade to passing grade (A-C).

Read about our Genocide Prevention campaign.

Read recent press on our advocacy initiatives.