Fundamentals

I’m Charlie and I am in my 2nd year of sitting on the Amnesty International UK (AIUK) Section Board. I would love to encourage more young people to get involved in the charity’s governance.

What is governance?

Even though it is not what people typically envision when they talk about fighting for human rights, governance is still a type of activism! Although it looks different to on-the-ground protesting, lobbying, petitioning, or campaigning, it is incredibly important for the Board to have effective oversight of the charity. This allows us to ensure that we are achieving the movement’s aim of ‘maximising our impact when defending human rights’.

Governance is often about taking a step back and making sure that everything AIUK does is helping to achieve our strategic goals. It is less concerned with the day-to-day activities of Amnesty, and instead focuses on overall strategy and risk management, overseeing that decisions are being made in the interests of the UK Section as a whole.

The Section Board is comprised of up to 15 volunteers, together they have a legal responsibility over the “campaigning, communications, and activism (public mobilisation) activity conducted by Amnesty International UK”. We often work with the senior management team and the other UK Charitable Trust Board in meetings and when making decisions.

Why do we need youth representation?

It’s vital that we have young people representing our voices on the Board. Not only can you bring a new perspective and learn new skills (including through funded training), you would also be paving the way for the future of our movement to continue defending human rights. What’s more, AIUK’s IDEA plan (which stands for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-racism) can only be embodied and put into practise if all demographics – including young people – are represented at all levels of the organisation.

What skills do you need?

The good news is that there isn’t a “typical” Board member, a whole range of different skills are needed to make a strong Board. Asking questions, being able to analyse information on briefing papers, and having a passion for human rights, is a great foundation. You can find the role description here, but you don’t need to fulfil each of the essential and desirable criteria yourself – on the Board, everyone has collective responsibility, and you share knowledge and expertise to reach decisions together.

What is a subcommittee?

Board members also often sit on at least one subcommittee, which meet roughly every quarter, to give strategic advice and scrutinise a particular area within AIUK. You are often able to indicate a preference for which one you would like to be a part of. I am in the People, Culture and Inclusion subcommittee, which has oversight of safeguarding, human resources, inclusion, equity, and anti-racism.

What opportunities are there for you?

Currently there is a seat specifically reserved for someone aged 16-17, and another for an 18–23-year-old. However, these are not your only options for getting involved – I occupy an unreserved seat, which anyone over the age of 16 can stand for. Most members have a 3-year term and can stand for another 3 years if they wish to.

How can you become a Board member?

1. Become an individual member of AIUK (not just part of a student or local group) at least 6 months before the elections. For one year, a student membership is £12.
2. Choose a seat to stand for and check when the deadline is.
3. Ask your student group, local group, a network, or 10 individual members to nominate you to the Section Board.
4. Write your manifesto so members know why they should vote for you.
5. Attend the AGM to find out the results.

I have loved my time on the Board so far and I feel like I’ve learnt so much about many different aspects of AIUK from the networks, different departments, and the trade union. I would recommend anyone who is interested to find out more and put themselves forward for this important, impactful role.

Editor: Leah Russon Watkins