How to Organize a Commemoration Event

1. Organizers Determine who the group organizers are and roles of different organizers 2. Date Determine date of event. If you’re focusing on a specific country, you may want to hold it on the official Genocide Prevention Month commemoration days: Bosnia, April 6 Rwanda, April 7 Cambodia, April 17 Holocaust, April 21 Armenia, April 24 Darfur, April 25 3. Venue Determine venue for event The venue should have symbolic resonance – historically a site that represents peace, genocide, or a central gathering place. Determine what the event will entail Will there be a procession? Speakers? A moment of silence? Each event will take on a life of it’s own based on participants, location, Will there be a press conference after the event? Where will it be held? Who will be the person in charge of press outreach? 4. Permissions Make sure to get permission from local authorities to hold the event and/or press conference. Secure the necessary permits for crowds for noise if there will be a microphone, speeches, etc. 5. Participants Make sure to invite people well ahead of time: Prominent local celebrities (brainstorm access to them, interest in the issues, who might have appeared in movies on these issues) Representatives from the Darfuri community or from any of the Diaspora communities (especially if your event coincides with one of the anniversaries) Survivors of genocide or other mass atrocities who can speak of their own experiences and of the need for prevention. NGO leaders Religious figures Musicians to play during event (if desired) 6. Materials Materials should be developed well before the event. They may include: Media advisory to release a few days prior to the event (see below under “PRESS”) Press Release for day of event (see below under “PRESS”) Background materials about previous genocides, what is currently happening in Darfur, and the need for prevention  Some kind of projection screen if expecting large numbers of attendees (or if you decide to show the video footage or testimonials of survivors) A sign up sheet for those people to attend so that you can create a network of genocide prevention advocates in your community. NOTE: Since these are commemoration events, banners and signs may not be appropriate. Consult other organizers, speakers, and survivors attending to determine whether this is appropriate. 7. Messaging and Tone The events will likely be less like rallies since they are somber, serious events, but it is up to the organizers what tone they’d like to project. We suggest that organizers convey their decisions on messaging to all speakers in advance of the day of the event. Think through the major ‘ask’ you’d like to portray to advocates. Are you commemorating one of the past genocides specially, or all mass atrocities? Are you calling for something specific (e.g. the arrest of war criminals?) or for prevention more generally? Are there actions you can have attendees take (e.g. signing a postcard, petition, donating to a survivor group, etc)? 8. Sequence of Events We suggest writing out a sequence of events and even a script (if you plan to have speakers). In this document it is useful to include behind the scenes work that must take place in order to ensure that all participants know how the event will proceed. This will help to ensure that the event runs smoothly and that all involved know their role before, during, and after the ceremony. If desired, Genocide Prevention Project can provide suggested remarks and video clips with survivor testimonies to show during the event (screen required). Press conference could take place at the end or beginning of event (see Step 10 for more on press) 9. Event Run-through Make sure to go over script with speakers and other participants before the event begins to answer any questions and to avoid confusion. 10. Press We will have a template media advisory that can be adapted locally. Make sure to email or fax (whatever is the national standard) media advisory out at least a week before. Appoint an organizer to be the press contact and to do follow-up calls to local reporters to try to get as much press in attendance as possible. Send press release to the local diary of upcoming events to be on their news diary. Send press release to reporters the day before the event with an update as a reminder. Think creatively about attracting press. Invite music press if a particular band is going to play, or celebrity or sports press if an athlete or celeb is coming. Think of these as ways to gain a different audience. Press Conference You may just wish to have the press do a question and answer session after the speeches. Or you may arrange to have them meet with participants for interviews before hand. If you have a more official press conference you might need to arrange a podium and/or microphones.