Amnesty International is a human rights movement that runs on people power.
Members have the opportunity to shape Amnesty International USA’s work through various governance roles, including providing input and voting on our multi-year Strategic Framework.
The Strategic Framework is a values-based and conceptual framework to guide our work over a multi-year period. This framework represents AIUSA’s highest ideals, aspirations and goals, providing a North Star for our Board of Directors, staff and members in guiding our work. The Strategic Framework establishes goals for AIUSA to deliver human rights impact, mobilize people power, and improve our internal culture and capabilities. The Framework also creates the structure for AIUSA’s annual operational plans and guides our programs, campaigns, advocacy, and financial planning. The current Strategic Framework clarifies our organization’s goals from 2022 through 2026.
Once approved by members at the 2026 Annual General Meeting, the 2027-2030 framework will help structure AIUSA’s annual work planning and shorter-term project planning. While the human rights challenges of the future cannot be predicted, our strategic framework can affirm our values and declare our commitment to human rights impact.
AIUSA’s strategic framework aligns with the global Strategic Framework while accounting for the country-specific environment in which we operate.
In order to provide direction to the work of the global movement, Amnesty International’s Global Assembly, the highest decision-making body, approves strategic goals (the agreed priorities that guide the work of the movement). All Amnesty sections, including AIUSA, are accountable to the Global Assembly and must comply with the strategic goals approved by the Global Assembly. Each Amnesty section is responsible for creating and adopting a section-specific strategic framework that aligns with the global movement. The last strategic framework for the global movement was adopted in 2021 for a nine-year period (Global Strategic Framework 2022-2030).
The Strategic Framework development process began in Q4 2024 with the appointment of the Strategic Planning Working Group (SPWG) and engagement with consultants. Consultations will begin Q1 of 2025 and conclude upon adoption by the board and membership at the Annual General Meeting in Q1 of 2026 In Washington, D.C. (March 6-8, 2026).
Overview of timeline:
- Q4 2024: RECRUITMENT: Board develops parameters for scope of work and hires consultant(s)
- Q1 2025: CONSULTATIONS: Consultant(s) solicits insights from Board, members & staff on priorities for new Strategic Plan, including at the AGM
- Q2 2025: DRAFTING: Draft Framework prepared by Board designates and staff, presented to Board for input
- Q3 2025: CONSULTATIONS: Consultations with members and staff on draft Framework, including at regional conferences
- Q4 2025: APPROVAL: Board approves Strategic Framework 2027-2030
- Q1 2026: APPROVAL: At the AGM, members approve Strategic Framework 2027-2030
The Strategic Planning Working Group is seeking feedback from members, the Board, and staff. There are numerous opportunities for members to provide feedback throughout the process, including robust opportunities to engage at the 2025 and 2026 Annual General Meetings (AGM), the Member Center, and through the poll questions. Your voice matters in this process, and participation is strongly encouraged.
The AIUSA Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for the creation and adoption of the strategic framework for the section. In order to streamline efforts, AIUSA’s Board of Directors constituted a Strategic Planning Working Group (SPWG) in Fall 2024.
The SPWG is chaired by Ann Burroughs, and composed of Board members, staff, and representatives from our membership.
Board representatives:
- Ann Burroughs, Board Chair
- Callie Moore, Board Vice Chair
- Chris Foley, Board Treasurer
- Penelope Halkiadakis, Board Member
Staff representatives:
- Paul O’Brien, Executive Director
- Nadia Daar, Chief Strategy & Impact Officer
- Vivek Ramkumar, Chief of Staff
Member Leaders:
- Charlize Ko
- TJ Riggs
- Mike Wyrick
The SPWG is charged:
- To provide direction to the Board of Directors on and coordinate the development of AIUSA’s Strategic Framework 2027-2030.
- To facilitate an effective and streamlined process that brings in longstanding and new perspectives and ensures that the final outcome is a clear and appropriately high-level direction that guides and inspires thoughtful action and partnership.
- To deliver AIUSA’s draft Strategic Framework for Board of Directors for review and approval in December 2025 and to membership for review and approval at the Annual General Meeting in 2026.
Amnesty International is building a bigger, bolder and more inclusive movement. As an international, intercultural, intergenerational and intersectional movement of activists committed to protecting and advancing human rights for all, Amnesty is deeply committed to IDEA. It’s not only vital that we walk the talk, but IDEA is also an imperative for innovation, growth and impact. In other words, we simply cannot fulfill our mission without it.
We recognize inclusion is always intentional and an ongoing journey that requires all of us. Our entire community of activists, including our members, staff and board of directors are partners in embracing diversity, fostering an inclusive culture and increasing equity and accessibility for all. In particular, we are committed to becoming a more anti-racist section that centers our work around understanding, identifying and addressing power asymmetries based on historic patterns of racial privilege and oppression. For additional information, please visit this page.
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