In an effort to raise the temperature on the crisis in Darfur, HRF has been urging NYC area high school students to get involved with the HOPE for Darfur campaign. We conducted “teach-ins” at Brearley, Horace Mann, Fieldston and Brooklyn Friends Schools. The student response was overwhelming. They are organizing themselves into leadership groups, mobilizing their peers, and learning more about how best to stop the mass killings.

Charlotte, a student leader from Brearley, wrote after the teach-in: "High school can be a frustrating time, for while we are becoming aware of the harsh realities of the world, we feel powerless to make a difference. Unfortunately, since we cannot vote and we are not yet considered adults our voices as teenagers often feel muted. The presentation reminded us that it is not too early to make a difference."

At Horace Mann, in addition to collecting signatures to send to President Bush and Secretary General Annan calling for a peace envoy in Darfur, they are asking themselves one question: “Who do I know who could be the most helpful in this campaign?”

A group of students at Edmonds-Woodway High School, in Edmonds, Washington have been staging a "die in" every day during their lunch period until the end of the school year to raise awareness, their website is http://www.down4darfur.org. They are also encouraging people to 'Stand In for a Victim' on our website.

HRF Student Activism Workshop

In mid April HRF held an advocacy and leadership training workshop to help students develop an advocacy strategy specifically tailored to their unique talents, resources and goals.