Powerful New Amnesty Ad Proves Pen Mightier Than Sword

Can you remember the last time someone actually wrote you a letter?

I can. It was 18 years, three months and 3 days ago (but who's counting?). It was from my girlfriend at the time and the reason I remember it is because I still have it tucked away somewhere.

Of course, since the days of the Internet, text messaging and email, getting a pen and paper out and actually writing down your thoughts to someone seems like  a waste of time. After all, why bother when you can be in contact with someone with a just a few well-placed jabs on a keyboard or smartphone?

But a letter means more. Not just to me and my bittersweet memories, but to everyone.

That is the message of a fantastic new campaign from Amnesty, which urges people to pick up their pens and get writing. Not just to their friends and family, but to prisoners of conscience all around the world in desperate need of a message if hope; of a world outside the bars.

The call-to-action comes ahead of International Human Rights Day on  December 10.

And to help launch the new campaign, called Write For Rights, the charity has also created a campaign film showing the power of the hand-written letter.

It talks about how much people value a letter, whether it be from a grateful pupil to their favourite  teacher or even one from the Tooth Fairy to say thanks.

It then focuses on those who through Amnesty have corresponded with prisoners of conscience and how it helped through difficult times.

It is a fantastic campaign and the video is sure to tug at the heartstrings.

Letters from Amnesty International on Vimeo.

But don't just take my word for it, national treasure Stephen Fry has also signed up.

Click to read more ...