The morning began with a session of qigong, hosted by Heim Center curator Eduardo Von Fellenberg, to focus and direct the fellows on the last day of the Summit. Much of the day was intended to aid the fellows in learning about the logistical aspects of IBJ, namely country evaluation, monitoring reports, and the importance of keeping accurate accounting records to secure long-term funders. Before heading off the International Red Cross Museum and the United Nations to celebrate the end of the summit and see some of the sights of Geneva, the Summit closed with a final feedback and brainstorming session, addressing both the challenges faced going forward and the lessons learned from the week.The common thread was the challenge faced by securing sufficient amounts of funds for criminal defense projects in each of the fellow’s countries. Picking up on the tools learned in the fundraising session, led by Pam Calhoun earlier in the week, Rwandan fellow John Bosco Bugingo brainstormed ideas on how to locally fundraise, suggesting the possibility of holding a ‘Give a Dollar for Justice’ radio spot on the local radio programs, whereby the majority of citizens in Rwanda will learn the message of IBJ and give. Burundian fellow Astère Muyango liked this idea, highlighting the importance of the radio in both fundraising and getting out the message of legal rights.The last fellow to speak was Ajay Verma, who commented on his pride in creating a ‘fellow task force,’ comprised of the six fellows present at the Summit this week.  Because of this week, Verma noted, the fellows were able to appreciate and fully understand the challenges, both alike and dissimilar amongst, of their colleagues around the world. With wide support, Verma suggested that the fellows act as a global support group to one another, continuing to be in touch with one another to discuss problems or challenges faced as they soldier on in the name of criminal justice.(Staff and Fellows listen intently to presentations on the last day of the First Annual Fellows Summit held in Geneva)

As an intern at IBJ, I was lucky enough to be able to accompany the IBJ staff to the Commemoration of the Rwandan Genocide on April 7^th, 2008 at the United Nations in Geneva. The program consisted of speeches by the UN Secretary General and the Rwandan Ambassador Sebudandi, an account by a Rwandan Tutsi who lived abroad in refuge during the genocide, and a poem by a victim of the genocide. The whole tribute, which lasted an hour, addressed the tragedies and devastating crimes against humanity that occurred in Rwanda in 1994.

Sitting in that conference room and listening to the stories from survivors of the genocide, I could not help but wonder why the international community failed to intervene? The tragedy of the Rwandan genocide plagues our generation still. It is the responsibility of civil society and the international community to ensure that the crimes against the Tutsi people will never be repeated to them and all other ethnic, religious, national, or racial groups. The maintenance of such basic human rights should be an essential concern to all states, NGOs, IOs, and individuals.

Hence, I highly value my opportunity to intern at IBJ as a chance to exercise my abilities to ameliorate human rights situations. However, one does not need to work or volunteer at a human rights NGO in order to make a difference. We all, as individuals, should make it a priority to educate ourselves on the situation of all people in all parts of the world. Human rights respect is not a privilege, it is a birthright, and it is our duty to guarantee that all crimes against humanity are prevented.