Amnesty UK earns its stripes!

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Amnesty International UK Annual Conference held at Nottingham University and a very rewarding experience it was too. There was a lot of serious business, particularly a number of resolutions on matters of AIUK's future direction, the results of which I don't intend to publish here.

But one of the highlights of the Conference was the keynote speech by Sam Roddick, daughter of the late Anita of 'Body Shop'. Sam talked about the ways of getting Amnesty's message across to industry and commerce, and talked about big business being an organism which doesn't have to be invaded from the top. Pressure placed at all levels of companies can have a decisive effect, she said.

Sam's speech was lively, feisty and smart - and undoubtedly went down a treat with the many young students present at the Conference, which was clearly one of the reasons for inviting her. Youngsters saw a keynote speaker who was prepared to shed the 'cardigans and anoraks' image that a few seem to have about Amnesty members, and the kids loved it.

The invitation to Sam seemed to me something of a gamble too, particularly given her unique way of plugging human rights. For example she was instrumental in organising a parade of naked women through the centre of London to highlight the problems of sex workers and the accompanying images may have raised the blood pressure of a few more traditional members of the organisation.



Sam not only talked about her human rights work but spoke also about her own business Coco-de-Mer which sells erotic lingerie...and more. And here was another example of Amnesty taking a deep breath and risking the accusation of sending out mixed messages. You see Amnesty has a passionate and deep commitment to the 'Stop Violence Against Women' campaign, and Sam Roddick's company sells......spanking implements.