DC Trip Day 2: #STANDSummit

We rolled out of the hotel at 830 and took the Metro

to Tenleytown where we grabbed breakfast then walked down to American University for #STANDSummit.

The day was a mix of inspirational speakers and policy education. Early highlight was Jack Healey, former director of Amnesty International, telling stories from five decades of peace activism. "To make a difference you just need a big heart and a steely determination." "There is a river of consciousness that is deep and wide waiting for peace and harmony to occur." "You want for them what your parents want for you -" food, health, education, a job..., decency, kindness, justice. "Take care of your heart and never back up." You have to understand both sides of a conflict. "Don't be afraid to trust your instincts against the experts." "Ask for what you want." "Have security in small numbers. I'm dangerous in small numbers."

We learned a lot about activism and leadership from the folks at AMPglobalyouth.org, then over lunch were treated to stories from diaspora from Sudan and the CAR, including Gabino Guerengomba.

Gabino talked about the need to get away from the aid model for Africa to a sustainable support for development and entrepreneurship. From Aid to Empowerment maybe.

We then had a very wonky (meaning great) panel on the Atrocities Prevention Board which is our main ask for tomorrow's lobbying. The ATB is an interagency working group that meets regularly to look upstream to see what crises may be building and to develop the tools to try to prevent them from exploding. It has operated for three years and has helped our government address situations in Burundi and CAR. It was created by executive action and may not be sustained past the current administration unless Congress formally authorizes it.