are pleased to announce
The Inna Meiman Human Rights Award
Recognizing students at the University of Minnesota who have made significant personal contributions in the promotion and protection of human rights
This award will be given in recognition of the friendship between Inna Meiman, a Soviet era Jewish refusnik who was repeatedly denied a visa to seek medical treatment, and Lisa Paul, a graduate of the University of Minnesota who fought tirelessly on her behalf, including a 25-day hunger strike that galvanized a movement for Inna's freedom. The friendship between Lisa Paul and Inna Meiman is memorialized in the book, Swimming in the Daylight: An American Student, a Soviet-Jewish Dissident, and the Gift of Hope.The award is intended to recognize a University of Minnesota student who embodies a commitment to human rights. The Awardee will receive a $1000 scholarship.Nominations will be accepted through Friday, March 4, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.
Inna Meiman Award Criteria
Eligibility
The awards are open to all full-time undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota.
Criteria
The student has demonstrated a personal commitment to the promotion and protection of international human rights through significant work on a human rights cause during their time as an undergraduate;
Through their efforts, the student has raised the visibility of a particular human rights issue among the University community or the broader public;
The student has made a positive difference in the life of others, and has given voice to those who might otherwise not be heard.
Nominations
Nominators should submit a letter of 500 words or less describing the human rights activities undertaken by the nominee during his or her time as a student at the University of Minnesota.
Students may be nominated by faculty, staff or other students at the University of Minnesota.
Self nominations must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from faculty, staff, and students who can attest to the achievements.
Address and Deadline
Letters should be submitted by email to the Human Rights Program, hrp@umn.edu, or delivered to the Human Rights Program, 214 Social Sciences Building, 267 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
The nomination deadline is Friday, March 4 at 5:00 p.m.
Judging
The judging committee will consist of the staffs of the Human Rights Program, the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and author, Lisa Paul.
Ceremony
The Inna Meiman Award winner will be recognized at an event featuring Lisa Paul, on Friday, March 10, 2011 from noon till 2:00 p.m. in 609 Social Sciences Building. The Award winner will be notified ahead of time.
