Yesterday, August 13, I got to organize a really fun event in Second Life that brought together several of my interests -- global human rights, virtual worlds and electronic music.
Mr. John Washburn, convenor of the American NGO Coalition for the ICC, spoke at the International Justice Center in Second Life to an attentive and energetic group of avatars. John and I go way back to the mid-1990s when I was the communications coordinator of the NGO Coalition for the International Criminal Court and John was one of our most active supporters. Mr. Washburn talked passionately and eloquently about the importance of the International Criminal Court to the United States and his views of what the next US president should do to support this important human rights instrument. Later John took questions from the audience.
To hear John's address, click the player below:
Prior to Mr. Washburn's address, noted virtual world DJ Doubledown Tandino played a mix of global grooves for the attendees, who danced in the plaza between the virtual ICC and the art gallery on the Justice Commons. Meanwhile, attendees were encouraged to contribute to funds that support victims of human rights abuses in Darfur, the Congo, and elsewhere. Money donated will go to the International Criminal Court Victims Trust Fund and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Doubledown is one of my favorite DJs in the real world and the virtual world. So getting to host an event featuring his music was a huge treat.
Thanks to the Justice Center Fellow Mummer Oh, everyone who participated and danced, and special thanks to John Washburn and Doubledown Tandino for offering their unique expertise and energy.
