Activism Australia

March People Powered Bulletin

Amnesty climate leaders, governance and monthly media moments

Important dates are at the top of each Bulletin to help keep you organised and informed. Keep an eye on our Events page for what’s happening near you or online.

25 Mar: Governance 101
29 Mar: 2026 Palm Sunday Walk for Peace and Justice for Refugees
31 Mar: Artists for Aid: Benefit Concert for Amnesty International
1 April: Top End Youth Conference – Darwin Amnesty Stall
4 April: In Conversation with Randa Abdel-Fattah
6 April: Creative responses
11 April: Geelong Action Group Monthly Meeting
14 April: Amnesty Vision Action Group – Community Gathering
20 April: Creative responses
22 April: Amnesty Activity @ Darwin Democracy Dash

MARCH BULLETIN

Want to take part in our democracy?

Until 2 April, members have the opportunity to nominate for two types of positions, which both play an important role in our democracy.

General Meeting Voters are elected by the members in your Region to vote at General Meetings. The primary commitment is around the time of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and, if elected, you will get to vote on resolutions and elect Board members at the virtual AGM on 4 July 2026. You will also be invited to a number of online meetings in May and June to discuss proposed resolutions and find out about board candidates.

If you would like to take the lead on activism and membership in your Region, you can also nominate for a position on your Region’s Activism Leadership Committee (ALC). If elected, you will play a key role in helping to motivate, coordinate and develop local human rights activism in your region! The commitment is for two years.

Individuals who have been members for at least 12 months can nominate for either position, or for both. The deadline is 5pm AEDT, 2 April 2026.

Want to learn more about how Amnesty is governed?

Join our short session on the 25 March at 7pm AEDT to learn more!

In this session, you will learn about what governance is, how to participate in our elections, and how you can shape our movement.

SIGN UP HERE

Amnesty’s Youth Justice campaign

MP Letter Writing Workshops

Are you interested in running a letter writing workshop in your local area?

From the end of May to the end of June, we’ll be asking volunteers right around the country to come together and write letters to MP’s to call for an end to the use of torturous practices on children in custody, and to raise the age of criminal responsibility.

We’d love for folks who are interested in hosting one of these workshops to join us on an online call soon to get plans organised – if this sounds like something you’d be keen to do, please email rachael.mcphail@amnesty.org.au and we’ll send you an invite!

Help Build our FAQs!

Do you have a burning question about our Youth Justice campaign? We’re planning to put together a FAQ resource to help you feel confident to have conversations in your community about youth justice and our campaign calls to the government.

If there is something that you’re keen to find out, or if there is a question that you’ve been asked when having conversations about this topic, let us know!

I HAVE A QUESTION!

Meet Amnesty’s Climate Leaders

Over the last month, 12 activists from across the Country have been helping to shape a brand-new campaign on Climate and Human Rights at Amnesty Australia. From high school to PhD students, workers, artists and community leaders are all a part of the leadership group helping shape a new priority campaign from scratch.

“I joined this climate leaders group because I care about making evidence-based climate policy feel practical and people-centred, and I’m especially interested in how climate action can be shaped by communities who are most affected by housing and cost-of-living pressures.” – Manika, Naarm, VIC

“As I grew up and learned more about the world around me I saw what was happening to the planet and the people on it. Learning about human rights opened my eyes and was a topic that really caught my interest. This group focused on how both human rights and climate change are closely related and that is something that really appealed to me so I reached out.” – Sienna, Whadjuk Noongar Country, WA

The climate leaders group will continue meeting over the coming months to provide ideas and insights into what will make an impactful campaign on human-rights based climate action.

Interested in joining the campaign on climate and human rights from the get-go as a local leader? Pick a time that suits you to chat with Inari, Campaign Organiser, for a 15-minute meeting, or call/text Inari on 0434 424 463.

A lifelong commitment to justice, carried forward as a brighter future for generations to come

For over 60 years, Amnesty International has championed human rights and fought to ensure that freedom and dignity is enjoyed by everyone. Guided by the light of our iconic candle, we have helped put the spotlight on injustice and mobilise people all over the world to defend human rights. During this time, we have seen a powerful shift in global momentum – towards a future where human rights are increasingly recognised, defended, and protected.

And for over 20 of those years, Norma has been right there with us in that fight.

For Norma, life has been all about helping people and trying to make the world just that little bit better. From an extensive career in healthcare, to seizing volunteer opportunities wherever possible, and generally advocating for the rights and wellbeing of those around her:

“Although I have now retired from the work force, in reviewing my life path, I reflected that the focus of my career and indeed my life had been closely aligned to the values of Amnesty”

Norma E Ponton

Compassionate and generous, Norma’s faith has always been central to her life, and as her beliefs evolved, she was glad to discover a more progressive Church in Avalon that was in keeping with her convictions:

“A community with wide societal appeal, concerned with the plight of the poor, marginalised, and socially oppressed”

This new Church group suited her perfectly, with a huge emphasis on supporting social justice organisations, Amnesty International in particular, through holding markets and bake sales. So, when the time came to direct her charitable giving, having become more acquainted with the work of Amnesty, Norma looked inward and asked an important question of herself:

I was mindful in deliberating, ‘What is the worst form of suffering I can envisage happening to me or to those I love?’ This had to be the thought of torture. As Amnesty International was so effective in advocating on behalf of victims of torture, and many others who were oppressed, I counted it a privilege to direct my tithe towards their support, and further decided to donate a portion of my will to ensure that this outstanding work continued.

Over the years, Norma has raised her voice in support of a more just and equitable world in a variety of ways, including signing petitions, sharing content, volunteering, and donating – all because she truly believes – just as we do – that everyone deserves to live in a society where human rights are respected. And every contribution, every act, every individual that takes a stand gets us one step closer to that.

What began as a simple act of faith — a regular donation inspired by the principle of tithing — has grown into something far more profound. In her unwavering commitment to human rights, Norma has made her most powerful decision yet: leaving a legacy gift to Amnesty International in her Will, and through this ensuring her values will continue to protect and defend others for generations to come.

Getting your Will in order is far more than attending to paperwork — it is an act of purpose, of love, and of legacy. It is the moment you choose to say that everything you have stood for, everything you have built, and everything you have believed in will not fade with time, but will endure in the hands of the next generation:

“I am encouraged by Amnesty International’s shining example that has always served to honour and support those who have given their lives in service to humanity.”

“I feel honoured that I am able to make a small contribution to Amnesty in which justice and empathy prevail and may the ongoing work continue to manifest throughout the future decades”

For more information, please reach out to the team at Amnesty at bequests@amnesty.org.au, or click on the button below to find out more.

All images © Amnesty International

We’ve also partnered with online Will writing platform EveryWill, who host a free and easy step-by-step online Will writing service. Click below to learn more!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WILLS

Do you want to get involved in Amnesty Australia’s Governance?

From 5 March 2026, members will have the opportunity to take part in our democracy and shape our movement by nominating for two different positions. Both are critical yet distinct roles available for our current AIA members:

If you want to shape activism and membership in your region for the next 2 years, you can nominate for a position on your local Activism Leadership Committee. If elected, you will play a key role in helping to motivate, coordinate and develop local human rights activism in your region!

If you want to vote at General Meetings, then the position of General Meeting Voter is for you. The position is for one year and the main commitment is around the time of the Annual General Meeting, although you may be asked to participate in an Extraordinary General Meeting should one be called. If elected, you will get to vote on resolutions and elect Board members at the virtual AGM on 4 July 2026.

Individuals who have been members for at least 12 months can nominate for either position or for both. The call for nominations will be emailed to all members on 5 March and more information will be available on our website.

OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE WITH THE GLOBAL MOVEMENT

Expressions of interest are currently sought for a number of international volunteer roles. These are great opportunities to shape the direction of the global movement. Amnesty International is currently seeking candidates for 6 types of positions:

  • International Board (2 vacancies)
  • International Treasurer (1 vacancy)
  • Finance and Audit Committee (1 vacancy)
  • Preparatory Committee (2 vacancies)
  • Membership Review Committee (3 vacancies)
  • International Nominations Committee (3 vacancies)

To enquire or apply, please email Vicki Jacobs, Governance Committee member.

Nominations deadline: Thursday 9 April 2026 6.00pm AEST after which the Governance Committee will undertake a formal assessment process and make a recommendation to the AIA Board for approval. Nominations will then be forwarded to the global INC by 21 May 2026. Elections for the above positions at the 2026 Global Assembly (GA) will take place between 20 – 26 July.

Want to join Amnesty’s board?

Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday 4 July 2026, so it’s time for candidates to nominate for election as members of the National Board of our human rights movement.

This year, two directors are to be elected in Class II for a term of three years to the 2029 AGM. One director is to be elected in Class II for a term of one year to the 2026 AGM. To ensure the right mix of knowledge and experience on the National Board, the Nomination and Assessment Committee (NAC) is seeking candidates who satisfy the capabilities, attributes and diversity of our National Board Attributes Statement.

The National Board has indicated that it particularly needs directors with the following skills and experience:

– Activism
– Financial performance

To nominate, please read the Candidate Brief, available HERE (under ‘Board’), and email your resume and the completed Nomination Documents to nominations@amnesty.org.au by 6 April 2026.

Membership qualification requirement: Please note that you have to have been a member of AI Australia since at least 6 April 2025 to be eligible to nominate for this AGM-elected Board position.

Monthly media moments

We recorded 3.26K media mentions, reaching an estimated audience of 780 million, including 743 radio mentions and 347 television mentions.

Several key advocacy moments also received significant media coverage: Amnesty Australia joins Global Sanctions Coalition calling on the Government to block Israel’s E1 settlement project.

Significant media coverage of Amnesty’s advocacy for protection for the Iranian women’s football team in Australia, featuring Strategic Campaigner Zaki Haidari, which you can see HERE and HERE.

Join Amnesty’s Online WhatsApp Community

Join our Online WhatsApp Community, if you haven’t already, to connect with the rest of our national movement, hear about upcoming events and opportunities, learn from shared experiences and challenges of other activists, and celebrate each other’s activism across the country!

Read the Community Guidelines here, and then simply click this link to join the Community!

We want to hear from you!

The People Powered Bulletin is all about the incredible work, energy and dedication of our movement.

We want to know more about your local actions, online initiatives, community engagement, or anything you’re working on that might inform or inspire fellow Amnesty supporters across Australia. The bulletin goes out on the third Friday of every month, with submissions due on the second Friday of every month.

SHARE YOUR ACTIVISM

Our values & behaviours

As a movement of people who stand for equality, justice, freedom and human dignity, we abide by this Values & Behaviours charter so that everyone belongs, is safe, and together achieves impact.

Activist support

The Amnesty team is here to support all activists. Here’s who you can contact:

Your Regional Activism Leadership Committee Presidents for regional support to members, activists and action groups –

Being a member of Amnesty International Australia is an effective way of getting involved with our work.

For a small, once-yearly fee of $22, you can stand for board positions, join committees and vote on important resolutions. Click here to learn more.

We want to hear from you! The People Powered Bulletin is all about the incredible work and dedication of our movement.
SHARE YOUR ACTIVISM

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all – and we can only do it with your support.

Act now or learn more about our human rights work.

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