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1. What is the vision of PRIZM?
2. Why only young women?
3. What is the PRIZM toolkit?
4. What is the difference between global and local retreats?
5. How does PRIZM create and sustain a global network?
6. Where has PRIZM done work?
7. How does PRIZM accommodate cultural relativity?
8. Can I run a PRIZM in my town?
9. How can I/my organization get involved with and/or support PRIZM?
10. How do I get in touch with PRIZM?
1. What is the vision of PRIZM?
PRIZM envisions the creation of a sustainable and strong global network of women who are capable of critical thought, are civically engaged, are able to create positive social justice and have inner calm and peace. Our aim is not to serve as neo-missionaries, but rather to help create the safe spaces in which young women may themselves initiate the dialogue that serves as a catalyst for social action. We hope that these young women, who enter as hopeful white beams, will emerge from PRIZM as a strong community, a unified spectrum, that is vibrant and diverse in its dedication to social change.
2. Why only young women?
PRIZM programs, organized by women, are held exclusively for young women ages 14 to 18. The reason for this is twofold. First, while other human rights education programs for both young women and men already exist, PRIZM is the only such program geared exclusively for young women of this age group. PRIZM is therefore filling a gap that exists in the education and leadership programming for young people around the world. Second, PRIZM recognizes the strong need that exists and benefit that amounts from women-only programming of this kind. All around the world, young women face unique human rights violations such as female genital mutilation, domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation, and sex discrimination in the household, in schooling, and in the workforce. While men also suffer violations of this kind, women remain disproportionately affected by these issues. Also, young women around the world are not encouraged towards leadership or supported in leadership initiatives. PRIZM empowers young women by educating them about the inalienable rights that they, like all others, hold, and also providing them with the tools and support needed to change their communities and the world for the better.
3. What is the PRIZM toolkit?
Coming soon!
4. What the difference between PRIZM's global and national retreats?
The PRIZM retreats are different in every country simply because different groups of young women have different needs. For example, although the biggest issue in your community may fundraising, another women might be facing difficulties in recruitment or safety. PRIZM retreats are developed to accommodate the needs of each individual and her community. While the curriculum of the retreat may vary from country to country, PRIZM's four pillars remain the same. Each retreat will always incorporate ways to develop 1) critical thinking 2) social justice 3) inner peace and 4) civic engagement.
5. How does Prizm create and sustain a global network?
Every graduate of the PRIZM program is connected to other PRIZM graduates all over the world. Upon completion of social action projects, each graduate becomes a "Senior Prizm" and joins the global network of PRIZM graduates. Through listserves, blogs, and occasional reunions, PRIZM graduates from all over the world mix, mingle, and provide opportunities for one another. These opportunities include everything from a couch to sleep on as one is traveling abroad, to providing one another with fantastic internships and fellowship opportunities. PRIZM aims to ensure that its graduates are entitled to some of the most prestigious opportunities in the field of human rights acitivism.
6. Where has PRIZM done work?
To date, PRIZM has done work in the United States and Southern Africa. We are currently working on projects in Southeast Asia and Bulgaria. If you are interested in becoming a Field Organizer, or helping us expand across the globe, email prismprogram@gmail.com
7. How does PRIZM accommodate cultural relativity?
PRIZM programs are organized and run in communities around the world by women from those communities. Programs are informed by the PRIZM mission statement, curriculum provided in the toolkit (a guide sent to program organizers), and an understanding of human rights as defined by the United Nations in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Millennium Development Goals, and successive resolutions and decrees. While all the programs share the same overarching goals of educating young women on human rights and empowering them to create social change, local organizers have considerable freedom in the remaining aspects of their programs; they shape and guide discussion, choose speakers, and select and lead activities. PRIZM believes that there are many cultural differences that are not right or wrong, better or worse, but are simply that: different. Other cultural practices, found in all cultures, involve the violation of people's human rights and are often condemned by the global community. In regards to such practices, such as violence against and sexual exploitation of women, PRIZM takes a strong stand of opposition. The PRIZM model of the "human rights retreat" is therefore culturally relevant and adaptable around the globe, but is also able to critique culture when it violates human rights.
8. Can I run a PRIZM program in my town?
You certainly can! PRIZM provides a helpful toolkit for you to use in planning a program in your community. In it are many helpful hints on how to run a program starting from the very basic (How do I run a meeting) to more complex (How do I sustain social action?). If you have any further questions or need some ideas, you can always contact PRIZM at prismprogram@gmail.com. Good luck!
9. How can I/my organization get involved with and/or support PRIZM?
Organizations, artists and individuals may get involved with PRIZM in many ways:
Share the wealth.
Please provide PRIZM with materials that may be incorporated into the PRIZM toolkit. These may include information about yourself/your organization (pamphlets, brochures, articles about the great work you have done), general readings, activities, organizing information, advice ("Things That Do/Don't Work"), etc.
Volunteer your precious time.
Come to a PRIZM program in your area and tell us about yourself or your organization. Share your experiences about to the social action you have taken in your own communities, hold a workshop, perform, etc. We love creativity! Or, become a Field Organizer for a PRIZM program in a community you are familiar with and help us expand globally.
Donate some pocket lint.
PRIZM is a young organization run by poor college students and therefore is extremely grateful for all the financial assistance it is able to get. Please send a check made out to PRIZM, 26024 DPO Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. $1 from you is $1 more than PRIZM had before!
Holler the good word.
If you appreciate the work PRIZM is doing, please tell your community about us. Our work, like most grassroots community action, is dependent upon word of mouth.
10. How do I get in touch with PRIZM?
PRIZM is readily accessibly through email: prismprogram@gmail.com
2. Why only young women?
3. What is the PRIZM toolkit?
4. What is the difference between global and local retreats?
5. How does PRIZM create and sustain a global network?
6. Where has PRIZM done work?
7. How does PRIZM accommodate cultural relativity?
8. Can I run a PRIZM in my town?
9. How can I/my organization get involved with and/or support PRIZM?
10. How do I get in touch with PRIZM?
1. What is the vision of PRIZM?
PRIZM envisions the creation of a sustainable and strong global network of women who are capable of critical thought, are civically engaged, are able to create positive social justice and have inner calm and peace. Our aim is not to serve as neo-missionaries, but rather to help create the safe spaces in which young women may themselves initiate the dialogue that serves as a catalyst for social action. We hope that these young women, who enter as hopeful white beams, will emerge from PRIZM as a strong community, a unified spectrum, that is vibrant and diverse in its dedication to social change.
2. Why only young women?
PRIZM programs, organized by women, are held exclusively for young women ages 14 to 18. The reason for this is twofold. First, while other human rights education programs for both young women and men already exist, PRIZM is the only such program geared exclusively for young women of this age group. PRIZM is therefore filling a gap that exists in the education and leadership programming for young people around the world. Second, PRIZM recognizes the strong need that exists and benefit that amounts from women-only programming of this kind. All around the world, young women face unique human rights violations such as female genital mutilation, domestic violence, sexual assault and exploitation, and sex discrimination in the household, in schooling, and in the workforce. While men also suffer violations of this kind, women remain disproportionately affected by these issues. Also, young women around the world are not encouraged towards leadership or supported in leadership initiatives. PRIZM empowers young women by educating them about the inalienable rights that they, like all others, hold, and also providing them with the tools and support needed to change their communities and the world for the better.
3. What is the PRIZM toolkit?
Coming soon!
4. What the difference between PRIZM's global and national retreats?
The PRIZM retreats are different in every country simply because different groups of young women have different needs. For example, although the biggest issue in your community may fundraising, another women might be facing difficulties in recruitment or safety. PRIZM retreats are developed to accommodate the needs of each individual and her community. While the curriculum of the retreat may vary from country to country, PRIZM's four pillars remain the same. Each retreat will always incorporate ways to develop 1) critical thinking 2) social justice 3) inner peace and 4) civic engagement.
5. How does Prizm create and sustain a global network?
Every graduate of the PRIZM program is connected to other PRIZM graduates all over the world. Upon completion of social action projects, each graduate becomes a "Senior Prizm" and joins the global network of PRIZM graduates. Through listserves, blogs, and occasional reunions, PRIZM graduates from all over the world mix, mingle, and provide opportunities for one another. These opportunities include everything from a couch to sleep on as one is traveling abroad, to providing one another with fantastic internships and fellowship opportunities. PRIZM aims to ensure that its graduates are entitled to some of the most prestigious opportunities in the field of human rights acitivism.
6. Where has PRIZM done work?
To date, PRIZM has done work in the United States and Southern Africa. We are currently working on projects in Southeast Asia and Bulgaria. If you are interested in becoming a Field Organizer, or helping us expand across the globe, email prismprogram@gmail.com
7. How does PRIZM accommodate cultural relativity?
PRIZM programs are organized and run in communities around the world by women from those communities. Programs are informed by the PRIZM mission statement, curriculum provided in the toolkit (a guide sent to program organizers), and an understanding of human rights as defined by the United Nations in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Millennium Development Goals, and successive resolutions and decrees. While all the programs share the same overarching goals of educating young women on human rights and empowering them to create social change, local organizers have considerable freedom in the remaining aspects of their programs; they shape and guide discussion, choose speakers, and select and lead activities. PRIZM believes that there are many cultural differences that are not right or wrong, better or worse, but are simply that: different. Other cultural practices, found in all cultures, involve the violation of people's human rights and are often condemned by the global community. In regards to such practices, such as violence against and sexual exploitation of women, PRIZM takes a strong stand of opposition. The PRIZM model of the "human rights retreat" is therefore culturally relevant and adaptable around the globe, but is also able to critique culture when it violates human rights.
8. Can I run a PRIZM program in my town?
You certainly can! PRIZM provides a helpful toolkit for you to use in planning a program in your community. In it are many helpful hints on how to run a program starting from the very basic (How do I run a meeting) to more complex (How do I sustain social action?). If you have any further questions or need some ideas, you can always contact PRIZM at prismprogram@gmail.com. Good luck!
9. How can I/my organization get involved with and/or support PRIZM?
Organizations, artists and individuals may get involved with PRIZM in many ways:
Share the wealth.
Please provide PRIZM with materials that may be incorporated into the PRIZM toolkit. These may include information about yourself/your organization (pamphlets, brochures, articles about the great work you have done), general readings, activities, organizing information, advice ("Things That Do/Don't Work"), etc.
Volunteer your precious time.
Come to a PRIZM program in your area and tell us about yourself or your organization. Share your experiences about to the social action you have taken in your own communities, hold a workshop, perform, etc. We love creativity! Or, become a Field Organizer for a PRIZM program in a community you are familiar with and help us expand globally.
Donate some pocket lint.
PRIZM is a young organization run by poor college students and therefore is extremely grateful for all the financial assistance it is able to get. Please send a check made out to PRIZM, 26024 DPO Way, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. $1 from you is $1 more than PRIZM had before!
Holler the good word.
If you appreciate the work PRIZM is doing, please tell your community about us. Our work, like most grassroots community action, is dependent upon word of mouth.
10. How do I get in touch with PRIZM?
PRIZM is readily accessibly through email: prismprogram@gmail.com
