This is a guest post by Bridget Conley-Zilkic, from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Unlike an earthquake, tidal wave, or volcano, genocide is entirely manmade. Genocide can be prevented. And that means you can help prevent genocide and what you do matters.
Just one year ago, on December 8, 2008, a task force convened by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the American Academy of Diplomacy, and led by former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, released a report detailing how the United States government could better prepare itself to prevent genocide and mass atrocities. Preventing Genocide: A Blueprint for U.S. Policy Makers, made the case that not only could the United States work more effectively to prevent genocide, but that doing so was in both its moral and strategic interests.
The landmark report confirms that public engagement will make a critical difference. It states: “The American people should build a permanent constituency for the prevention of genocide and mass atrocities. (…) We urge the American people to continue to support more assertive government action in response to genocide and mass atrocities.” You can help build that constituency and make a difference by visiting www.ipledge2protect.org.
This week, Genocide Intervention Network is hosting The National Canvass to Prevent Genocide in cooperation with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. People all across the country will be talking to neighbors, organizing community events, and doing everything they can to raise the public awareness and the support we’ll need to build the movement to prevent genocide. Already, more than 30,000 people have pledged through the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s new interactive installation to meet the challenge of genocide.
We are asking you to join the movement and make your pledge. It’s as simple as adding your name.
To lead or join a canvass in your area, click here.