About | Human Rights Council | School of International Service

What is the Human Rights Council?

The American University Human Rights Council is an umbrella organization that brings together all of the many human rights activities at American University, promoting the integration of human rights issues throughout the curriculum through a small grants program, information sharing and by other direct forms of support.

Is it affiliated with any governmental or nongovernmental organization?

No, it is totally independent. It may publicize internships, lectures and other resources from other organizations, but it remains independent.

Does it include both the law school and main campus?

Yes! That was one of the reasons the Council came into being: to act as a bridge between the two campuses.

Why would an AU student look at the Council web page on a regular basis?

Through the extensive faculty directory, students can discover faculty teaching and researching in their own areas of interest. They might land a paid or unpaid position as an assistant on a research project with a faculty member, learn about exciting lectures and workshops on AU’s campuses, gather information about internships and jobs, and discover resources that will help them write term papers, plan field research, and excel in the classroom. They may also wish, as a member of a student organization, to apply for a small grant for a public event, on campus, related to human rights.

Why would an AU faculty member look at the Council web page on a regular basis?

Although a large number of AU faculty share common interests in human rights and social justice, few opportunities exist for them to meet, especially across disciplines. Through the extensive faculty directory faculty teaching and researching in the same subject area can discover each other. They might swap works-in-progress, share teaching resources, apply jointly for a grant or conference presentation, refer students to one another, learn about lectures and workshops on AU’s campuses, post information about student internships, and discover resources that will aid their own research and help them with their student mentoring. They may also wish, as an individual faculty member, or as a member of an AU program or project, to apply for a small grant for a public event, on campus, related to human rights.

Why would a staff member of another AU program, project or organization look at the council web page on a regular basis?

For many of the reasons already stated, but especially to post information about its own activities related to human rights and social justice, and to take advantage of the small grants program offered by the Council.

What is the "Small Grants Program?"

This is a small pool of money that encourages and supports human rights initiatives on campus. Students, faculty and staff may apply by filling out the short application form (PDF) that can be printed from the Web. The amount requested should be between $100 and $1,200. Illustrations of the kinds of things that could be funded are honorarium for speakers, the cost of food at a reception, the printing of posters to advertise an on-campus event, a cash award for a poster contest, etc. The major requirement is that the event/program/project must be open to the public. Faculty may use the fund to pay for very small honorarium for a guest lecturer for a course, but in that event, the talk must be moved to a room large enough to support a public audience (Kay Spiritual Chapel often is a good option) and publicized on the Council calendar. Awardees are chosen by award review panels comprised on students, faculty and staff Advisory Board Members. The grant application form has been simplified to speed the application process; all efforts are made to choose successful applicants within three weeks of of receipt. There is no deadline; instead applications are considered on a rolling basis, until the funding for that year has run out.