A Spring Break of Opportunities in Washington D.C.
This March, students Emma Martins and Kai Li Tullis, accompanied by HPI staff members Bailee Fox and Nora Tavana, participated in a five-day visit to Washington, D.C. During the trip, the group engaged with young peacebuilders actively working and conducting research in the field, met with admissions staff from the School of International Service at American University, visited historic sites on Capitol Hill, and attended Amnesty International’s 2026 Human Rights Conference and Annual General Meeting (AIUSA AGM).
The AIUSA AGM is designed to educate and engage members of Amnesty International chapters from across the country. This year’s conference featured interactive workshops, guest speakers, and an “Action Alley,” where AIUSA groups taught participants how to become involved in human rights advocacy through petition signing, letter writing, and other forms of civic engagement.
During the conference, I had the opportunity to meet participants from New York, Idaho, and California to discuss how their Amnesty International chapters operate, what strategies have been successful, and what challenges they continue to face.
It was inspiring to hear from young activists involved in human rights advocacy and peacebuilding efforts across the nation. One particularly impactful moment was hearing from Mahmoud Khalil, an Algerian-Palestinian human rights activist who was previously detained by the Trump administration. His candid account of his experiences offered insight into the tactics sometimes used to disorient detainees and the ways he maintained hope and resilience throughout the ordeal.
Another memorable session I attended was the “Know Your Rights” workshop, which covered best practices for protesting safely, engaging respectfully with law enforcement, and preparing for situations that may escalate. Beyond the conference itself, our group also had the opportunity to visit universities in Washington, D.C., and strengthen institutional relationships.
We visited American University, where Heravi Peace Institute founder Mehdi Heravi completed his graduate studies. The visit provided an opportunity to learn more about the university’s graduate programs, peacebuilding curriculum, and potential areas for future collaboration. We also saw several tributes to Mehdi Heravi displayed throughout campus.
During the trip, our group connected with former USU students and individuals affiliated with the Heravi Peace Institute. One such connection was Maybree Spilsbury, a former USU student who now directs peacemaking initiatives at MWEG (Mormon Women for Ethical Government) in D.C. Her professional journey highlighted practical pathways for translating peacebuilding education into meaningful real-world work and demonstrated the impact HPI students can have after graduation.
The group also shared dinner with Tian Ford, who currently works in peace-oriented evaluation and is pursuing a doctoral degree at George Mason University. Our conversation provided insight into the role evaluation plays in peacebuilding programs and offered another perspective on what peacebuilding work and graduate study can look like after college.
In addition to the conference, university visits, and alumni connections, sightseeing rounded out the experience. The group visited several culturally and historically significant landmarks, including the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Library of Congress, and the U.S. Capitol.
Overall, the trip was both professionally and personally inspiring. It deepened my understanding of peacebuilding and human rights advocacy while motivating me to continue engaging in this important work.
About Kai Li
Kai Li Tullis is a recent graduate of Utah State University majoring in International Studies and minoring in Chinese and Anticipatory Intelligence. She served as the Undergraduate Program Assistant for the Heravi Peace Institute and received two certificates in Global Peacebuilding and Leadership & Diplomacy. Kai Li is returning to USU in Fall 2026 as a graduate student in anticipatory Intelligence.