Join Amnesty Students
What is an Amnesty student group?
Amnesty student groups are student-led societies that operate on university and further education campuses across the UK. Amnesty student groups take action on their campuses by advocating for human rights through impactful campaigns, protests, educational events, and collaborations with local communities. With over 60 student groups and counting, Amnesty’s Student Network is a powerful hub of activism on campuses nationwide.
Students play a vital role in Amnesty International’s work. Joining or starting an Amnesty International student group means becoming part of a dynamic global community dedicated to activism, campaigning, and advocacy.
What we do:
- Lead and create campaigns: We lead campaigns tackling issues like refugee rights, freedom of expression, gender equality, and anti-racism. Some of our groups have created campaigns around issues such as the cost-of-living crisis, and sexual violence on campus.
- Take action: We hold universities, colleges, institutions, and governments to account when they are not respecting human rights. Some of our groups take direct action and hold protests or sit-ins, others create petitions or engage in art or digital activism. Whatever you’re comfortable with, there is space for you to take action in an Amnesty student group!
- Organise events: We hold regular events on our campuses such as film screenings, panel discussions, and creative spaces. Being in an Amnesty group is a lot of fun – we also hold Jamnestys (live musical events), go on pub crawls, do clothes swaps, throw balls and have Pride parties!
- Fundraise: We regularly use events to fundraise for Amnesty International UK and other organisations/causes we wish to support.
- Drive solidarity and collaboration: We work alongside local communities, other NGOs, and other student groups to strengthen our collective efforts and address human rights abuses in solidarity. We stand for collective liberation and try to work in partnership with others where possible!
Why join an Amnesty student group?
Joining an Amnesty student group is an opportunity to take action as part of a global movement of more than 10 million people.
Being an Amnesty student activist equips you with the tools to lead change. You will receive comprehensive training opportunities, support to develop your own campaigns, and chances to connect with fellow activists and professionals in the human rights field.
Many activists claim that being part of their Amnesty student group was the highlight of their university experience. Being part of an Amnesty student group allows you to build lasting friendships with fellow activists who share your passion for human rights and make key memories at an array of fun and exciting events.
Amnesty International UK also holds regular events for activists to attend, such as the annual Student Conference, which are great opportunities to network and meet activists from across the movement!
When you join, you’ll also receive a free jam-packed parcel full of posters, campaign materials and other goodies to help you kickstart your new group!
Ready to take action?
If you’re interested in joining or starting a student group at your university or further education college, get in touch with our student organiser, Hannah! Hannah is here to support you in this journey and will be able to offer you any help or advice you might need.
Email: Hannah.Stokes@amnesty.org.uk
WhatsApp: +44 7879109074
You can also check if there is a student group in your area by using our handy Student Group Finder.
Affiliation
Affiliated groups get the following benefits:
- A Freshers pack at the start of the academic year jam-packed full of posters, campaign materials and other goodies to help you make the most of your Freshers fair
- Monthly campaign briefings
- Invitations to the inspirational Amnesty Student Conference where you’ll meet Amnesty students from across the UK, learn more about human rights from international speakers and take part in a mass action
- Access to free activist training events
- Invitations to the Amnesty National Conference AGM, and the chance to take part in our democratic decisions.
- The chance to vote (and get nominated) for the Student Action Network Committee, elected every year at Student Conference to lead the student network.
You can now affiliate a Student group at your university or further education college by using this link to our online form.
Alternatively you can print out, fill in and return the form below via students@amnesty.org.uk plus the £21 annual membership fee to set up your Amnesty student group.
Download a Student Group affiliation form (PDF)