Amnesty International has recruited a group of leaders from the worlds of art, business and philanthropy to champion its work in the developing countries where it is trying to increase its influence.
The founding members of the Secretary General’s Global Council include such famous names as author Paulo Coelho (pictured), ex-Labour Party fundraiser Lord Levy, and financier Krishna Rao.
They will act as champions for Amnesty and for its human rights priorities in the Global South and East, areas of the world where the organisation is trying to grow its reach and influence. Members will also support Amnesty in its fundraising activities as well as open their address books so that Amnesty can identify and approach potential new partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
The Council is to meet twice a year with additional virtual meetings being held as and when required. In between meetings members are expected to work with the Secretary General to facilitate introductions. They will not be paid for their work.
The other three founding members of the Council are Hadeel Ibrahim, executive director of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation; Ali Mufuruki, CEO of Tanzania-based Infotech Investment Group, and education entrepreneur Sunny Varkey, who is the group’s co-chairman-elect with the other co-chair to be announced shortly.
Amnesty expects the members to boost the grassroots human rights movement in the global South; however, financial targets for the Council will also be set.
Varkey said the establishment of the Council would “bring the business community further into the conversation about the need for social justice around the world”. He joined the Council, he said, because he cares deeply about the right to education and wanted to work with Amnesty to champion that cause.
The first meeting of the Global Council took place earlier this month in Dublin, coinciding with a ceremony for the recipients of the Amnesty International Ambassador of Conscience Award.
Amnesty’s expansion into the Global South and East will see it open ten new regional offices in major cities by 2017. The first few, in Dakar, Hong Kong, Johannesburg and Nairobi will open by the end of this year.
Additional reporting by Leon Ward
