Create a More Just World by December 10th - ANTHONY NATALE

A dear friend of mine - Karen Tse - is being awarded the 2009 International Activist Award by the Gleitsman Program for Leadership in Social Change at the Harvard Kennedy School. (You can see a video of her efforts above.)

The recognition honors Karen for her "determination and selfless efforts truly make a difference in improving the quality of life" for communities around the world through her human rights work. Previous winners include Nobel Laureates Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Yunus.

Karen and her organization, International Bridges to Justice (IBJ), deliver legal protections to ordinary people in developing countries. Whether in the wake of genocide, ethnic cleansing, or endemic corruption, IBJ has bridged gaps of understanding, secured political will, and affected real change through its criminal defender programs in China, Cambodia, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, India, and 12 other countries throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America. (See http://www.ibj.org.)

IBJ is now facing greater demand for its services than ever, and its programs are no less ambitious. The organization needs additional resources to bring stability and continuity to its programs - a spark to ignite justice for vulnerable communities around the world.

My friends, I am asking you to be that spark. Make a tax-deductible contribution to IBJ and join Harvard and the Gleitsman Foundation in their support.

Fifty, five hundred, or one thousand dollars - whatever you can afford - is the difference. It is an affirmation not only of your belief in the power of the criminal defender, but also that torture can be overcome - just as we did with slavery in the 19th century and apartheid a few decades ago.

My goal is to raise $3,000 for Karen’s work in support of her reception of the award, between now and December 10th, 2009, which is International Human Rights Day. Please join me in my support.