"There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come."
Victor Hugo (1802-1885)
I've been thinking a lot about this quote as I've been preparing to talk at Speak Up's annual fundraising dinner and auction this coming Saturday in Pasadena, California. At Speak Up we have a vision, a Great Idea as I like to call it, of building an international network of justice centers that do practical casework and advocacy for the poor while training local students and lawyers to be advocates for those in need.
Our work is small and relatively unknown today, but I think that this Great Idea, our core vision, will bring tremendous results over the coming years. Starting with our casework today - helping urban refugees in Bangkok, partnering with the Thai police on investigations of trafficking of minors into prostitution, catalyzing a team to help the Chao Lay in their land rights case - we intend to grow into an organization that speaks up for the poor all over the world and which trains indigenous advocates to do the work of justice in their own country and community. When pursued with courage, humility and excellence, our two main goals - practical casework and training local advocates - have the power to unleash an unstoppable army of advocates for the poor.
I'm excited to be coming back to the US for our fundraising dinner to share with potential supporters about our Great Idea that will one day transform the lives of millions of the poor.
