Amnesty International USA

WHEREAS, Decision 10 of AI's 2001 International Council Meeting has called for the creation of Country Action Programs (CAPs), and

WHEREAS, AI volunteer networks play a special role in providing information throughout the AI movement on human rights violations directed at particular groups and because of particular reasons, and

WHEREAS, networks have long been involved in consulting and working directly with many staff and volunteer members across a range of structures and programs within AI, including Advocacy Directors and program staff, country, student and local groups, and International Secretariat (IS) campaigning staff and research teams, and

WHEREAS, it is currently unclear how CAPs and campaigning projects will most efficiently and effectively work together under the new AI model for thematic campaigning, or how the work of the specialist networks will best support as well as be supported by CAPs,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT as the Country Action Program concept is developed, network representatives will be consulted and have the opportunity to be involved both at the international and Section levels in order to provide substantive input on the program of action within each CAP and to ensure that the design of CAPs maximize on-going network membership participation.

At the section level, AIUSA has already taken measures in this area. Discussion around the Campaigning Review began soon after the review’s publication in the fall of 2000. The proposals were debated at various venues, including the 2001 AGM. The Campaigning Review’s proposals, which included the creation of Country Action Programs (CAPs), were ratified by the movement in 2001 ICM decision 10. AIUSA began a listserv in May 2002 to foster discussion among membership and staff around how AI and AIUSA should best implement Decision 10. The listserv was advertised via the Monthly Mailing and to all staff responsible for networks. All those interested in the issues falling under Decision 10 were encouraged to participate in the discussion, and network volunteer leaders have participated in the discourse. New information regarding the CAPs or campaigns proposed in Decision 10 continues to be disseminated via this listserv.

For most of 2002 and 2003, implementation of Decision 10 moved at a moderate pace, as sections and the IS worked to fill in the details on what was a relatively broad-stroke resolution. Toward the middle of 2003, the pace of development quickened considerably at the International Secretariat in anticipation of the 2003 ICM in August. By June 2003, the IS announced for the first time the number of countries for which CAPs would be developed (15 to 25) and began the process of identifying which countries would be covered. A paper updating the movement on the CAP development process was to be disseminated prior to the ICM, but at the time of this writing, the paper had not been circulated. Issues around CAPs, campaign themes and other aspects of Decision 10 are expected to be discussed at the ICM.

AIUSA will establish a process by which network representatives will have an opportunity to provide input into the Country Action Programs in which the section is participating. For budgetary and planning purposes, it may be advantageous to build this consultation into related, extant processes, such as AIUSA’s annual Country Review Meetings or the pre-AGM program meetings. The IS has not yet identified the new process to be used to determine regional and country strategies, and it is not clear at this time how exactly sections will be expected to contribute to the process. That said, we do expect the new process to be inclusive of section input, and we will ensure that AIUSA’s contributions are informed by input from country and RAN specialists, network representatives, and other relevant parties.

Update: AIUSA has forwarded the text of this decision to the International Secretariat and has urged IS staff responsible for the establishment of Country Action Programs (CAPs) to include network representatives in the development of these programs. We urged the IS to include network representatives in the testing process of selected CAP intranets during the month of February 2004. By February, the International Executive Committee is expected to decide which countries will be the subject of Country Action Programs. Once this decision has been made, AIUSA will begin the process of deciding which CAPs it will participate in and what this participation will look like.

AIUSA continues to utilize a listserv begun in May 2002 to foster discussion among membership and staff around how AI and AIUSA should best implement the Country Action Programs and the changes in campaigning called for in 2001 International Council Meeting Decision 10. Many members and volunteer leaders, including network representatives, have participated in the discourse via this list.

AIUSA’s Casework Office is in consultation with network representatives, country and RAN specialists, and relevant staff on establishing a process by which network representatives and others will have an opportunity to provide input into the Country Action Programs in which the section is participating. For budgetary and planning purposes, we are looking to build some of this consultation into related, extant processes if possible, such as AIUSA’s annual Country Review Meetings or the pre-AGM program meetings.

AIUSA will send a high-level delegation to the International Secretariat in February to discuss a number of issues, including the development of CAPs and the concerns addressed in 2003 AGM Decision 12. AIUSA’s OutFront Program will play an ongoing role in consulting with IS staff responsible for identity-based issues to encourage them to play an active role in helping to address the objectives of Decision 12.