The Ladis Kristof Memorial Fellowship

for Organizing and Activism

“If man has been able to create the arts, the sciences and the material civilization we know in America, why
should he be judged powerless to create justice, fraternity and peace?”
- Ladis Kristof

Background Information

Ladis Kristof was an East European refugee who fled to the West after World War II. He was a founding member of the
Portland (OR) Amnesty group and a Professor of Political Science at Portland State University who believed that we each
have the power to transform ourselves and our society. His faith in humankind’s “ability to recover from lapses” and “climb
to higher level of…achievement” – maintained despite a personal history of loss, imprisonment and exile – is the same
faith that underlies Amnesty International’s mission to harness the power of collective action to ensure justice and
freedom for all people. Ladis Kristof’s personal generosity and determination inspired many: family and friends, colleagues
and students, and the human rights activists of Amnesty International USA’s Portland (OR) Local Group #48.

Amnesty International USA is proud to strengthen and expand Ladis Kristof’s legacy and honor his lifelong commitment to
human rights by joining the Kristof family in supporting the Ladis Kristof Memorial Fellowship for Organizing and Activism,
a fellowship to honor and inspire a new generation of human rights defenders.

Fellowship Description

Each year, one exceptional Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) student activist will receive the Kristof Fellowship for his
or her outstanding efforts on behalf of human rights. The Fellow will be awarded an eight-week residency with an AIUSA
Regional Field Organizer with whom she or he will work closely on individual cases, human rights crises, and grassroots
organizing and campaigning at the regional and national level. The Fellowship will promote a deeper understanding of
human rights work, strengthen the Fellow’s organizing and advocacy skills, and further develop prepare her or him to be
an effective life-long activist. In the 2011 inaugural year, the Kristof Fellow will be based in AIUSA’s Western Regional
Office in San Francisco, California.

The Fellow’s residency expenses for the eight-week period, including airfare to and from San Francisco, will be covered
by a $3,500 stipend. The Fellow will join dynamic, in-progress efforts on all priority bodies of work, building knowledge of
domestic and international human rights issues and learning the channels and practices by which Amnesty International
delivers much-needed public and governmental scrutiny to end suffering and violation of human rights. The Fellow will
also be provided travel to AIUSA’s 2011 Annual General Meeting, where her or his efforts and achievements will be
formally honored in Ladis Kristof’s name.

Desired Qualities of Candidates

Candidates for the Kristof Fellowship should be individuals who have shown a strong track record of activism and who
promise a lifelong engagement with the work and principles central to Ladis Kristof, the Kristof family, Amnesty
International and the human rights movement. Consistency and persistence in human rights work, such as sustained work
on behalf of a prisoner of conscience, steadfast campaigning on a particular human rights issue, or building up a group or
region over a substantial period of time, will be valued over successful one-time events. Candidates must embody the
Kristof belief in a long-term view of human rights work in which progress occurs through courage and determination even,
and especially, in the face of continuing adversity.

The Fellowship will be awarded to a leader for the next generation of human rights activists and someone who will display
the tenacity and deep passion for justice required to make human rights a guiding principle rather than a passing interest.
Potential Kristof Fellows will provide in their application an overview of their existing work with AIUSA, but the applicant’s
record of commitment to organizing and activism and desire to further develop these skills will take highest priority in the
selection process.
Eligibility Requirements

AIUSA student activists from any field of study are invited and encouraged to apply. Amnesty International is an equal
opportunity employer and organization, committed to diversity. Applicants representing under-represented groups are
encouraged to apply.

In order to be eligible for the inaugural Kristof Fellowship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be enrolled as an undergraduate student as of May 1, 2011 OR a graduating high school senior at least 18 years
of age by March 15, 2011;
• Have been active with an AIUSA Local or Student Group for at least one year at the time of application;
• Be able to complete an eight-week summer residency at the AIUSA Western Regional Office in San Francisco;
• Be able to attend the AIUSA Annual General Meeting on March 18-20, 2011 in San Francisco.

Note: Costs of living (including flight to/from San Francisco for the fellowship) exceeding the $3500 subsidy amount will be
the responsibility of the Fellow. Travel expenses to and from San Francisco for the AGM will be covered by AIUSA.

How to Apply

To be considered for the Kristof Fellowship, applicants should submit the following materials by December 28, 2010.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.

1. Application form (below).

2. Cover letter explaining the applicant’s experience, qualifications, and interest in the fellowship.
3. Resume outlining all relevant experience (academic, volunteer, or other).
4. Personal statement (not to exceed two pages) identifying the human rights issue(s) and bodies of work, including
organizing and activism skills, the applicant is most interested in exploring during the fellowship. Include how or
why the applicant is interested in these areas.
5. Two letters of recommendation. At least one of the letters must be from an AIUSA staff member, faculty advisor,
or volunteer leader (i.e. an Area Coordinator, Student Activist Coordinator, Country Specialist, etc). The second
letter can be from anyone familiar with the applicant’s experience and character.

All materials can be submitted electronically in .pdf format to KristofFellow@aiusa.org. If you would like to mail your
application, please ensure arrival by 5:00pm PST on December 28, 2010 and send to:

Kristof Fellowship Review Committee

Amnesty International USA
350 Sansome Street, Suite 210
San Francisco CA 94104

Timeline

December 28, 2010 Applications are due by 5:00pm PST

January 21, 2011 Finalists will be contacted to schedule a telephone interview with the Selection Committee
February 15, 2011 Ladis Kristof Fellowship winner will be notified
March 18-20, 2011 Fellowship award will be given at the Annual General Meeting in San Francisco

For questions, please contact Sara Schmidt at sschmidt@aiusa.org or (415) 288-1865.

 The Ladis Kristof Memorial Fellowship
for Organizing and Activism

“If man has been able to create the arts, the sciences and the material civilization we know in America, why
should he be judged powerless to create justice, fraternity and peace?”
- Ladis Kristof

Please complete the application below.

Name      

Email      

Phone      

Address      

City, State, Zip      

Will you be at least 18 years of age on March 15, 2011? Yes No

Are you currently enrolled as a student? Yes No

Which school?      

Are you currently part of an Amnesty International Group? Yes No

Which group?      

Please list any leadership positions you have held within Amnesty International. Examples include but are not limited to
Student Group Coordinator, Urgent Action Coordinator, Student Activist Coordinator, action leader, committee head, etc.
     

Please list any other ways you have been involved with Amnesty International outside of your current involvement (i.e.
previous groups).