INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE CENTER @SECOND LIFE

A Virtual Clearinghouse for Information and Action
in Support of Global Justice and the International Criminal Court
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The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the world’s first truly global human rights tribunal. The ICC is designed to investigate and try those accused of committing some of the worst violations of human rights, including genocide, mass rape and war crimes.  Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICC is investigating and trying crimes committed in Sudan, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic.

Global Kids in 2008 will be exploring the use of virtual worlds to support the ICC and global justice concerns. Activities will center around the “International Justice Center,” a virtual education and action clearinghouse where people from all over the world can learn about the court, engage with ICC officials, experts and victims, and take action in support of human rights and international justice. More importantly, the Center will serve as the hub of a new social network connecting those already doing the work on the ground with each other and with individuals new to ICC issues within Second Life.

Activities planned at the International Justice Center:

* Education: An information center about the ICC, current cases and situations before it, and issues of concern to the court (genocide, gender-based crimes, child soldiers, etc.)

* Awareness Raising: Using the unique capability of virtual worlds to hold emotionally and intellectually engaging online events, visitors will be able to interact directly with victims testifying before the court, ICC officials, legal experts, and activists on the ground.  This effort will be supported by a specific tool being developed under the auspices of Global Kids that will facilitate people connecting to Second Life using a standard cell phone.

* Strategic Partnerships: We will explore how Second Life can facilitate practical and ongoing coordination among different ICC-related institutions, including officials from the ICC itself, human rights NGOs, law associations, government agencies, and educational institutions.

* Specific Campaigns:  The IJC may support specific campaigns that support the court, such as efforts to arrest indictees in Sudan or fundraising for victim’s relief, protection and rehabilitation.

* A Shared, Collaboration Space: NGOs, government agencies, and other ICC-related institutions will be encouraged to use the Center to host their own events and activities as they experiment with incorporating virtual worlds into their work.

For more information, see the Center’s website at http://justicecenter.net.

The IJC is supported by a generous grant from the Digital Media and Learning Initiative of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.