Human Rights Watch
student task force
Founded in 1999, the Human Rights Watch Student Task Force (STF) is a youth leadership and human rights advocacy training program that empowers students to advocate for human rights issues, especially the rights of children.
MISSION
Implementing HRW’s mission to defend human rights, STF helps youth build a foundation for human rights, raises awareness about children’s rights violations, and develops young leaders and advocates to become instrumental voices for social justice around the world.
VISION
To equip the next generation of decision-makers with the human rights knowledge, advocacy experience, and communication skills needed to make the future of our world more just.
How We Work
STF staff guide and mentor participants to implement a shared human rights advocacy action plan across campuses. Through these action plans, STF members learn how to evaluate problems and independently discover ways to address them, harnessing the leadership skills they work on each week. STF leaders enter the program with varying levels of public speaking, project coordination, and presentation experience. The ongoing leadership training provides students with the skills and confidence needed to lead their classmates.
Watch this video from October 2022 explaining how the STF program works with students across the United States and beyond.
(Click to watch, 3:17)
How We Work
STF staff guide and mentor participants to implement a shared human rights advocacy action plan across campuses. Through these action plans, STF members learn how to evaluate problems and independently discover ways to address them, harnessing the leadership skills they work on each week. STF leaders enter the program with varying levels of public speaking, project coordination, and presentation experience. The ongoing leadership training provides students with the skills and confidence needed to lead their classmates.
Watch this video from October 2022 explaining how the STF program works with students across the United States and beyond.
(Click to watch, 3:17)
Impact
Since 1999, STF has provided opportunities for students to raise their voices for human rights, educate their communities, and engage in meaningful advocacy. Many alumni have reported that their participation in STF compelled them to prioritize human rights in their careers, including in the public, private and government sectors.
Impact
Since 1999, STF has provided opportunities for students to raise their voices for human rights, educate their communities, and engage in meaningful advocacy. Many alumni have reported that their participation in STF compelled them to prioritize human rights in their careers, including in the public, private and government sectors.
Students Reached During STF Events
Participating Schools Over the Years
Cities Around the World With STF Chapters
Human Rights Advocacy Action Plans
Recent Blog Posts
Joining HRW’s Fight Against Anti-Asylum Policies
Photos by Patricia Williams January 28, 2023: “If we’re one of the strongest nations in the world, we should have the resources to receive people who are fleeing persecution… But for the last three decades, the U.S. has spent billions of dollars setting up a militarized southern border that focuses on detaining and punishing people“, …
Human Rights Front and Center
In their final weeks of the fall semester, Student Task Force members hosted a range of events and activities honoring Human Rights Day. Despite busy schedules and final exam preparations, students kept human rights front and center in their last days of school before winter break. From in-chapter conversations and quiz games to school-wide surveys …
Students Vote For The Planet
October 27- November 9, 2022: STF chapters hosted mock elections, interactive tent events, and classroom presentations as their final get out the vote efforts leading up to the 2022 midterm elections. STFers highlighted the importance of being prepared and making informed decisions about candidates and propositions when voting. Chapter members extensively researched the issues of …
STF Shines at HRW’s Voices for Justice Dinner
Photos by Sarah Desage, Kamelia Photography and Leela Cullity Younger October 6, 2022: Attendees at the 2022 HRW Voices For Justice Dinner enjoyed an evening with Human Rights Watch staff who investigate US democracy, children’s rights and LGBTQ rights. To kick off the event, in a private meet and greet with HRW researchers Hye Jung Han and Amanda …
Challenging Caruso at Rally
September 23, 2022: Late last Friday afternoon, as the STF Global Climate Strike demonstration was ending on Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, one student shouted, “There’s Rick Caruso!” The Los Angeles Mayoral candidate (versus Karen Bass) was across the street, walking his dog while touring his mall, Palisades Village. Several STFers from Palisades Charter High School waited for a green light, then ran across Sunset and talked Caruso into visiting their rally…
Registering for the Planet
STFers across Southern California hosted events and rallies in honor of National Voter Registration Day and the 2022 Global Climate Strike. They urged classmates and community members to consider the future of the planet at the polls this November and joined in solidarity with thousands of young people worldwide who strive to keep the climate crisis front of mind for those in power…
WHAT OUR ALUMNI SAY
“STF changes the world, one outspoken/headstrong student at a time. STF was a cause worth skipping lunch and lying in the grass for; a cause worth the ridicule; a cause worth losing points on a test for, because I spent time strategizing instead of studying. A cause worth anything I could give.”
“The Student Task Force taught me how to be an effective activist while remaining passionate and unafraid. STF taught me to be persistent, even when people didn’t hear us the first, second, or third time. We persevere through our campaigns.”
“STF pushed me to become a more comfortable public speaker and activist. I went from being an introverted and shy freshman to being an outspoken and confident advocate for human rights and environmental justice by the end of my senior year, in large part due to the leadership of the the STF community.”
GET INVOLVED
Empower yourself and make a difference by joining our community of passionate advocates. Click below to learn how you can contribute to advancing human rights and become a voice for justice.