In only their second year of existence, Amnesty Youth Otago (AYO) have rapidly become one of OUSA’s most on-to-it clubs. Fresh off the heels of winning Team of the Year at the recent Amnesty Dove Awards, the team is channeling their efforts into a new initiative: a lecture series. And as an added bonus beyond students’ typical lectures, AYO’s night classes promise both refreshments and kai.
Critic Te Ārohi sat down with the exec (notably dominated by second-years) to yarn about their new initiative. Co-President Jomana Moharram, a Law and Politics student, explained that AYO’s mission is to “get people involved in human rights”. The “learning for leisure” initiative also provides the chance for tauira to chat and connect with their lecturers, rather than being half-asleep and online shopping in class (Critic sees you).
AYO is a local branch of the international human rights organisation Amnesty International, which campaigns globally in the name of humanity. Prominent issues for Amnesty in Aotearoa have included the “chilling” prisoner voting ban the Government proposed in May, calling it a “disturbing” breach of human rights; and the widely controversial Treaty Principles Bill, triggering a historic hīkoi to Parliament in protest and so many submissions the Parliament website crashed.
Aware that many lecturers at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka share a similar kaupapa to Amnesty, and with a cohort of students keen to get amongst it, the idea of an informal night course in human rights was born. “We decided on having a series where we get lecturers talking about whatever they want with students,” explained Jomana. Social media manager Rihana Warsame, studying Politics and Criminology, explained, “We thought it was important for all of us to come together and shed light on some conflicts that we, as New Zealanders, we really don't hear about.”
The first lecture of the series was given by Dr Leon Goldsmith, a Politics professor specialising in the Middle East – and who’s known for his office hour hospitality with Middle Eastern coffee and dates. “It was a real honour and privilege to be asked to give the first lecture for the Amnesty Youth Otago’s lecture series initiative,” Goldsmith told Critic. “[AYO] clearly understand and take very seriously Amnesty International’s mission to shine a bright light on human rights violations wherever they occur without political or ideological prejudice, which is so important in these days of polarising politics and rhetoric.”
Goldsmith covered the 20 years of human rights violations that he’s personally witnessed in the Levant, from Lebanon to Syria and Israel-Palestine. He touched on concepts of universality and relationships in addressing ongoing political failures to prevent human rights violations at the international, national, and community levels. Goldsmith was glowing in his praise of AYO’s efforts, saying, “I must say that this was my favourite public lecture of recent years. AYO is an excellent forum for Otago students who want to do something positive and proactive in deeply challenging times. I wish them all the best for their upcoming lecture series and other initiatives.”
Next in the calendar has fellow clubs UNICEF Students Otago and African Students Association joining forces. Julie Nalubwana, a PhD student in the department of Peace and Conflict Studies, will be taking the lecture, focusing on the ongoing conflict in South Sudan, and how communities can connect and find peace when experiencing strife. The lecture is set to take place on Monday 15th September from 6-8pm in room G.17 in the Business School (fingers crossed you’re reading this early in the week).
Much like Newton’s First Law of Motion, Nīkau Edmond-Smaill, AYO’s Schools’ Liaison and a Law and Politics student, explained the goal with the series is to create something that can continue going forward – something attendees would learn if they invited Professor Blair Blakie of PHSI131, perhaps. “There are so many different issues to look at, so many experts on different issues around the University that we don't even necessarily know about,” said Nīkau.
The exec encouraged students to keep their eyes peeled for more events in the future by following AYO’s Instagram @amnestyyouth.otago. If you come along, you may even be able to score a cheeky LinkedIn connection from a lecturer afterwards.