"The Summer Institute is a laboratory of hope!"
Founded in 2008 by several teachers in the Buffalo area, the Summer Institute is designed for students who are interested in politics, history, international relations, or the social sciences. It provides its participants with the opportunity to hear human rights experts, historians, and advocates, as well as take part in hands-on activities, discussions, and field trips--all to inspire its students to have a positive impact on the world. Recognized by C-SPAN and the winner of both local and national education awards, its alumni have gone on to pursue careers in journalism, law, politics, medicine, education, and human services.
The Summer Institute is a non-denominational, non-partisan program designed to provide in-depth human rights education for local high school students and teachers. Whether it is through understanding the history of the Holocaust, contemporary genocide, or human rights issues, the goal of the Institute is to broaden and deepen the knowledge base of its students, so that they may in turn make a difference in their communities, nation, and world.
The Power of One: Civil Rights are Human Rights (2012)
​
Held for eight days in July of 2012, the Summer Institute focused on the theme of civil rights issues around the world including Native American History and Gay and Lesbian History, as well as human rights abuses in Burma and The Arab Spring.
Resistance--Our time is now! (2013)
​Designed to train the next generation of leaders with 21st Century Skills
To commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, this year’s program focuses on those who resisted genocide and human rights abuses.
Students will learn about the major humanitarian situations around the world, focusing on Tunisia, Syria, and Afghanistan, as well as how to apply 21st Century skills of resistance, including the use of Social Media and Technology.
Likewise, a continued emphasis will be placed on the positive role that individuals have in helping others through being leaders in their schools, communities, nation, and world.
Not on our Watch--Standing up to Genocide(2014)
"I feel now that I have the ability to make an impact on the world.
Even though I'm one person, I can accomplish more than I can imagine."
Amanda, 2014 Participant, Age 15
​