Human Rights Watch
student task force
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)
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
Meeting With Congress
STFers speak with Congressman Ted Lieu and deliver over 1,000 petition signatures demanding Congress to protect asylum seekers. Photo by Anushka Malhotra May 28, 2024: STFers from Animo Venice, New Roads, Santa Monica and Wildwood High Schools met with Congressman Ted Lieu to deliver over 1,000 petition signatures demanding Congress protects the right to seek …
STF Leader Spotlight: Maya W.
18 California children argued in U.S. District Court that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discounts the value of children’s lives and the safety harms they’re already suffering will get worse as the climate continues to warm. STF leader, Maya W., is one of the 18 plaintiffs asking for the Court’s help in stopping EPA from …
Sharing Our Brilliance
Photos by Anushka Malhotra and Gabbi McArtor April 30, 2024: Attendees at the 2024 HRW Voices for Justice Dinner are motivated to stand for human rights after hearing from HRW’s Executive Director Tirana Hassan; Director of Middle East and North Africa Lama Fakih; Managing Director of Digital Investigations Lab Sam Dubberley; Director of US Program Tanya Greene and a musical performance …
Calling on Congress
April 25, 2024: Carlsbad STFers became the first chapter to speak with their Congressional representative to discuss plans to protect asylum seekers. Carlsbad is in San Diego County, which is now the top border region for migrant arrivals…
Spring Into Action
April 15 – April 19, 2024: It’s busy season for STFers as they spring into action! STFers at Alain Leroy Locke, Canyon, Carlsbad, Carson, Da Vinci and Palisades Charter High Schools hosted lunch walkabouts, school-wide lessons, simulations, trivia games and tent events to spread knowledge about this year’s Celebrating 75 Years of Human Rights Action Plan…
STFers in Action: Season Finale
As the academic year is ending, STFers wrap up busy season engaging their peers in this year’s Celebrating 75 Years of Human Rights Action Plan. Continue reading to see what STFers are doing to educate their campuses. STFers survey their peers to understand how much the campus community knows and cares about human rights…
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.