Students are taking time out of their busy midterm schedules to spread awareness about human rights-related issues.
About 20 different human rights groups are gathering for the second-annual Human Rights Week, a student-run set of events aimed at fostering discussion and proactive initiatives about relevant issues.
Events include film screenings, rallies, speakers and fundraisers.
The week kicked off yesterday with a continental brunch at the Penn Women's Center. At the brunch, sponsored by Penn for Choice, students discussed past and present reproductive rights issues.
With the theme "Fight for Your Right," this year's event will, for the first time, feature a club fair - taking place today in Houston Hall - where human rights organizations will promote their groups and give out information for ways students can get involved in them. Jerry Ehrlich, a pediatrician who volunteered in Darfur, will also be speaking tonight in Huntsman Hall about refugee camps in Darfur.
"Our specific goal this year is to see more political advocacy on campus," said College senior Zenaida Santos, one of the week's main organizers.
College junior Shira Bender, the creator and chairwoman of Witness Week, pointed out that, despite the name, the week is not only about "witnessing," but also taking action - like Thursday's rally against human trafficking and the commercial exploitation of children.
Other interactive events include Saturday's Dance Marathon fundraiser for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatrics Aids Foundation in which those taking part have pledged to dance for 12 consecutive hours.
A Washington D.C.-based organization that raises money to prevent pediatric HIV infection through research, advocacy and prevention and treatment programs.
Bender said she hopes both to target people who have always wanted to help out but didn't know how, as well as to inspire those who never thought about human rights issues at all.
When groups come together, "it really sends a message to the campus," Amnesty International at Penn president Jules Shen said, encouraging them to become more involved.
This year, the event organizers are also working to increase collaboration among the many participating groups, which include the Holocaust Education Committee and the Newman Center.
Some events, like Tuesday's Dessert Banquet, were organized with this specific goal in mind. The Banquet is co-sponsored by Penn for the United Nations Children's Fund, Amnesty International at Penn and the Student Coalition against Hunger.
"We have a lot of groups under us, and we want to see more collaboration between these groups," Santos said.
The funding for the Week's advertising comes from Tangible Change, a student-run committee that helps student leaders to plan and fund events. Each organization will pay for its individual events.
More information about Witness Week 2007 is available at Witnessweek.info.
