Global Write-a-thon
 About the Write-a-thon
What's a Write-a-thon?
A write-a-thon is a fun and educational meeting of people who come together to write letters about human rights on behalf of specific actions and cases. Amnesty International offers your choice of numerous actions on varied topics and countries, and you can choose to highlight as few or as many cases as you see fit, given the nature of your event! A few actions are already available, and about two dozen actions will be available at this site by mid-November for you to download and print for your write-a-thon.
If it's at a kitchen table, what makes it global?
The inspiring aspect of participating in the Global Write-a-thon is knowing that Amnesty activists around the world are unifying in solidarity for the cause of human rights on the weekend of December 10. Each of the activists participating organizes his or her own gatherings, and knowing that activists in over 30 countries are participating alongside each other is truly memorable!
Another fact that makes the Writeathon global is that AI-Poland hosts an international chat during the December 10 weekend. Throughout that weekend - around the world and around the clock - Amnesty activists just like you will be logging onto the web to chat with fellow letterwriters. That's one BIG kitchen table, stretching from Canada, to Nepal, to Peru, and beyond. If you have a computer available during your write-a-thon, make sure you log on! If not, just stop by the chat room at some point that weekend to share your thoughts on how your writeathon went cheer on other letter writers and gain a broader perspective on AI's activism in other countries.
How much time will it take me to organize a write-a-thon?
That depends on the size of your write-a-thon. Most simply, you and a friend could organize a write-a-thon for a group of 8-10 friends in a few hours. The larger an event, the more time it will take.
Do we really have to write letters?
Well, that is in part why it's called a write-a-thon. But there will be a range of kinds of actions for you to select on at this site by mid-November (we recommend printing the actions out as close as possible to your actual write-a-thon, since we update Urgent Action cases as needed). There will be:
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-- a couple of petitions for you and friends to print, sign, and send,
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-- a few pre-written letters for people to use as a model for composing their own letters or for just printing, signing and sending,
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-- AIUSA's Holiday Card Action, where you can create, decorate, and design cards of hope and solidarity to send directly to Prisoners of Conscience and human rights defenders, and
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-- mostly Urgent Actions and other Amnesty cases that feature individuals around the world in danger of human rights abuses - these cases target government officials where you are asked to request specific actions from the official, such as investigating death threats or stopping torture.
Okay, this sounds like an opportunity I don't want to miss! How do I sign up?
Upon registering to organize a write-a-thon, you will receive resources and support throughout the next few months as you plan, organize, and host your event, such as:
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-- The option of getting a packet of AIUSA brochures, stickers, letterwriting guides and pre-written action postcards to share with others at your writeathon,
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-- The option of receiving a packet of actions pre-printed and all ready to head out the door to your write-a-thon,
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-- Email reminders, tips, and inspiration.
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