Explore The Issues - civil
Civil Rights are the protections and privileges of personal power bestowed upon a nation's citizenry by its written laws - for example those pertaining to issues of privacy, voting, due process and peaceful protest.
Human Rights refer to basic universal rights and liberties to which all humans are entitled by birth, such as freedom, dignity and equality before the law.
Alliance for Justice (AFJ) :: www.afj.org
AFJ is a national association of environmental, civil rights, mental health, women's, children's and consumer advocacy organizations. Since its inception in 1979, AFJ has worked to advance the cause of justice for all Americans, strengthen the public interest community's ability to influence public policy, and foster the next generation of advocates.
Best Buddies International :: www.bestbuddies.org
Best Buddies International is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.
Children's Advocacy Institute (CAI) :: www.caichildlaw.org
CAI is part of the Center for Public Interest Law at the University of San Diego School of Law. CAI works to improve the status and well-being of children in our society by representing their interests and right to a safe, healthy childhood. In addition to its academic program, which trains law students to be effective child advocates, CAI represents children in the state legislature, in the courts, before administrative agencies, and through public education programs.
Do Something :: www.dosomething.org
Do Something believes that young people have the power to change the world and uses the internet as an agent to implement that change. It is their aim to inspire, support and celebrate a generation of do-ers: people who see the need to do something, believe in their ability to get it done, and then take action to make the world a better place.
Farmworker Justice :: www.fwjustice.org
Farmworker Justice seeks to empower migrant and seasonal farmworkers to improve their living and working conditions, immigration status, health, occupational safety and access to justice.
Global Fund for Women :: www.globalfundforwomen.org
The Global Fund for Women is an international network of women and men committed to a world of equality and social justice. We advocate for and defend women's human rights by making grants to support women's groups around the world.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) :: www.hrw.org
HRW is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. HRW is the largest human rights organization based in the United States where researchers conduct fact-finding investigations into human rights abuses in all regions of the world. HRW meets with government officials to urge changes in policy.
Interfaith Workers Justice (IWJ) :: www.iwj.org
IWJ calls upon religious values in order to educate, organize, and mobilize the religious community in the U.S. on issues and campaigns that will improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers, especially low-wage workers.
Lotus Outreach International :: www.lotusoutreach.org
Lotus Outreach International is dedicated to improving the living conditions of vulnerable children and their communities through education and healthcare. Lotus Outreach supports programs in Cambodia and India that tackle issues such as child trafficking, childhood exploitation and access to education, partnering with local, grass-roots agencies to implement culturally sensitive, effective projects, and target under-served populations in isolated regions.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) :: www.rainn.org
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization and was named one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” by Worth magazine. RAINN carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute :: www.rosaparks.org
The central mission of the Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development is to motivate youth to reach their highest potential through multicultural, hands-on experiences that build practical day-to-day living skills while nurturing a global and inclusive perspective. Based on Mrs. Parks philosophy of 'Quiet Strength', The Institute's core program 'Pathways to Freedom' traces the underground railroad into the civil rights movement and beyond. Students, traveling primarily by bus, experience a unique, empowering and interactive research journey that brings the history of the civil rights movement to life, giving the participants the needed skills to model Mrs. Parks' work for human rights in all areas.
Seeds of Peace :: www.seedsofpeace.org
Founded in 1993, Seeds of Peace is dedicated to empowering young leaders from regions of conflict with the leadership skills required to advance reconciliation and coexistence.
Southern Poverty Law Center :: www.splcenter.org
The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded in 1971 as a small civil rights law firm. Today, the Center is internationally known for its tolerance education programs, its legal victories against white supremacists and its tracking of hate groups.
The AIDS Institute :: www.theaidsinstitute.org
The AIDS institute promotes action for social change through public policy research, advocacy and community education.
Women For Women International :: www.womenforwomen.org
Women for Women International provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty to stability and self-sufficiency, thereby promoting viable civil societies.
World For World Organization (WFWO) :: www.worldforworld.org
The WFWO supports the activities of, raises awareness for and about, the Eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as set forth in the September 2000 UN Millennium Declaration by creating online fundraising and partnership opportunities at local, national and international levels. This Declaration, agreed to in the largest-ever gathering of world leaders contains a statement of values, principles and objectives for the international agenda in the 21st century. The MDGs are the world's time-bound and quantified targets for addressing the needs of the world's poorest, which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS, providing universal primary education, promoting gender equality, ensuring a sustainable environment and implementing a global partnership for economic development, all by the target date of 2015.