Service learning programs relate to programs which foster practical experiences through volunteer community services in the traditional academic service (Lough and Toms, 2018). A community partnership is an educational relationship that exists between community agencies and universities or colleges with the aim of providing service learning experiences. Service learning fosters the establishment of positive self-esteem amid students by encouraging them to impact positively to the community through their various contributions. Service learning also enhances the development of critical thinking skills in students, and it broadens a student's perspective, with regards to the contemporary societal issues. Additional benefits of service learning to students include its capacity to better human relation and interpersonal skills and the provision of experience and guidance in future career choices. To the community, service learning is perceived as an essential factor in the reinforcing the spirit of civic duty which subsequently enhances a renewed perception of society and it prompts participatory democracy. Some of these challenges experienced by students include dissatisfaction due to the allocation of tasks that are inconsistent with the student's service learning experience and the difficulties encountered in the student's attempts to balance school work and service learning (Lough & Toms, 2018).
Amnesty International, commonly referred to as AI, is a non-governmental organization that focuses on human rights. The headquarters of AI is in London. The organization has support and membership of over seven million people from all over the world. The primary objective of the organization is to research and act to prevent and ending human rights abuse and to seek justice for the victims. The organization has practices that are relevant in the life of a student. Moreover, these practices teach students the various methods through which they can curb discrimination in the society. Therefore Amnesty international should give students an opportunity to do service learning in the organization (Chandler, 2009).
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Amnesty International has worked hard in standing with people who have their rights abused by the government. Most human rights cases usually have state power against people. The work of AI in the USA focuses on fighting against discrimination (Chandler, 2009). Chandler also points out of the organization’s cooperation with other organizations that are non-governmental, such as regional intergovernmental organizations and the United Nations. Through these partnerships, AI has increased its police relationships and security and international military accountability, and organize awareness-raising programs and education on human rights. AI receives funding from personal donations. Despite the fact that the organization has received funds from individual governments, it does not allow government and governmental organizations’funding. According to their website, unaffiliated and personal donations enable the organization to remain entirely independent of religions, political ideologies, all governments, and economic interests. The organization can stand firm in its defense of universal human rights through these donations and therefore sees little room for partnerships (2009).
Volunteers at AI are involved in several different roles which include media, marketing, campaigning and other forms of general support. Some of the tasks that volunteer in the organization carry out are daily monitoring newspapers and online media, updating and maintaining logs on issues related to human rights, help in electronic filing and filing paperwork, organizing events and contact databases, and performing mailing services (Shetty, 2014). Further, according to Shetty, volunteers also assist in translating conversations and inquiries from people in the area they are working. Volunteering at AI will offer one a valuable experience. After the assignment, volunteers are given work references which will be accountable when looking for future opportunities. Service learning at Amnesty is differentiated from volunteering because service learners are students who gain knowledge on how to prevent discrimination through providing services to others. On the contrary, volunteering does not involve acquiring knowledge. Members of the community benefit from the organization since they have their rights protected from being violated by the government. For both students and the community, Amnesty International provides work references. Students gain knowledge on preventing discrimination in the society (2014).
In conclusion, amnesty international has partnered with other non-governmental organizations in providing defense for Human rights and prevent abuse of these rights by state powers. The organization has its branches in different countries of the world, and they are still expanding to new countries. In the USA, the organization is focused on preventing discrimination. Through service learning, the organization will be able to impart students with knowledge on how they can avoid discrimination and other forms of human rights abuse. Through the use of volunteers and service learners, the organization will continue to expand its boundaries and deal with more issues related to human rights. We should, however, note that volunteering involves any willing person in the community while service learning engages students in the related field. Students get experience and future job opportunities, and the community obtains prospective employees and instills enthusiasm and energy among the learners. However, students might find it hard to balance between school and service learning projects. The community might have a challenge of ensuring they avail themselves for the projects.
References
Chandler, G. (2009). The Amnesty International UK Business Group: Putting Human Rights on the Corporate Agenda. Journal Of Corporate Citizenship , (33), 29-34.
Lough, B. J., & Toms, C. (2018). Global service-learning in institutions of higher education: concerns from a community of practice. Globalization, Societies, and Education, 16(1), 66-77. doi: 10.1080/14767724.2017.1356705.
Shetty, S. (2014). The Value of International Standards in the Campaign for Abolition of the Death Penalty. Brown Journal of World Affairs , 21 (1), 41-56.
