The potential to preserve and promote human rights around the world is that of college age students, according to the message made by speakers at the Conference on World Affairs “Human Rights and Wrongs” panel.
Three panelists shared their perspectives on what it will take to make basic human rights a priority in every nation.
One comment made by panelist Chuck Dietzen, a pediatric specialist committed to assisting medically-underserved children worldwide, received an enthusiastic applause from the audience.
“If I was president, the first thing I would do is reinstate the draft,” he said. “But I would send all young people abroad to heal others, not to kill others.”
The importance of grassroots organizations and volunteer opportunities such as the Peace Corps and Americorps was a reoccurring idea throughout the discussion.
The message seemed to be targeted directly at students, who made up about half of the audience.
One student in attendance that appreciated the advice given was Natasha Fischer, a sophomore political science major.
“Human rights are the foundation of our beliefs and our country,” she said. “The panelists want to make us realize that things can actually be done to help others. You just have to be mad enough at the current circumstances to do something about it.”
Echoing Dietzen’s remarks about the importance of volunteer efforts was Wendy Chamberlin, president of the Middle East Institute and former U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan.
“There is nothing better you can do than to do something freely” she said. “Put people first. Now is the time to do it.”
Chamberlin said that the perfect time to travel abroad to volunteer is directly after college graduation.
She said it is easy to make a two year commitment right out of college, but it becomes more difficult to do once a person has a full-time job and other obligations.
One student that plans to take the advice and get involved is Maya Dank, a sophomore open option major.
“All my life I’ve wanted to be helping people and making a difference,” she said. “An organization like the Peace Corps is something I want to be a part of.”
Chamberlin wrapped up the panel with a few more words on what she would like to see take place.
“We need to get back to where we were in the sixties,” she said. “Now we just sit in offices, write contracts, and fill out forms. That’s not how it happens. Of course that’s where the money is, but not the action.”
“We need to take action,” she finished.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Sarah Ruybalid at sarah.ruybalid@colorado.edu.
