The fight against institutional complicity in apartheid is a collective effort that requires action from students, educators, and allies worldwide. Universities have long been sites of resistance, where student activism has challenged unethical policies, demanded accountability, and influenced global justice movements.
Apartheid Off Campus is committed to mobilizing students to take a stand against apartheid policies and university investments that enable human rights violations.
Whether you are an experienced activist or new to advocacy, there are many ways to contribute to this movement. From engaging in local campaigns to organizing educational events, lobbying for divestment, or using digital platforms to amplify the message, your involvement can make a meaningful impact.
This guide provides practical steps for getting involved and connecting with a growing network of individuals working to end institutional support for apartheid.
Why Student Activism Matters
Students have historically played a pivotal role in shaping policies and advocating for human rights. The anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s, which pushed for divestment from South Africa, was largely driven by student-led campaigns that pressured universities to cut financial ties with apartheid regimes. This movement contributed to a global shift that eventually led to the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa.
Today, similar efforts are underway as students push their institutions to divest from corporations and entities complicit in apartheid policies, particularly regarding Palestine. Universities hold significant economic and political influence, and their investments in companies that enable occupation, segregation, or systemic discrimination have real-world consequences. By organizing, educating, and advocating for ethical policies, students can challenge institutional complicity and contribute to broader global justice efforts.
Universities not only shape academic discourse but also wield substantial financial and political influence through their investments, partnerships, and policies. When institutions allocate funds to corporations that profit from military occupations, forced displacement, or systemic discrimination, they become complicit in sustaining these injustices.
Students have the power to challenge this complicity by demanding transparency in university investments, pushing for ethical financial policies, and advocating for divestment from companies that violate human rights standards.
By holding their institutions accountable, students can redirect university resources away from supporting apartheid systems and toward ethical, socially responsible alternatives, ensuring that education spaces reflect values of justice and human dignity.
Ways to Get Involved
Joining the movement against institutional complicity in apartheid requires action at multiple levels. Whether you are a student, educator, or ally, there are various ways to contribute, from organizing on campus to engaging in advocacy and raising awareness online. By participating in campaigns, lobbying for divestment, and mobilizing support through education and digital activism, individuals can play a vital role in challenging unjust policies and demanding accountability.
Taking the first step may seem overwhelming, but every effort—no matter how big or small—helps build momentum. Some students may choose to start or join a local chapter, while others might focus on advocating within their universities, organizing impactful events, or using social media to inform and engage a wider audience. Regardless of your approach, getting involved ensures that your voice contributes to the growing movement for justice and human rights.
Join or Start a Local Chapter
One of the most effective ways to participate in Apartheid Off Campus is by joining an existing chapter at your university. Many campuses already have student-led groups dedicated to advocacy, divestment, and solidarity campaigns. These chapters provide a structured way to engage in activism, collaborate with like-minded students, and coordinate impactful actions.
If your university does not yet have a chapter, starting one is a powerful way to mobilize students and create lasting change. The first step is to gather a core group of students who share a commitment to the cause. Reach out to faculty members, student unions, and existing activist organizations for support. Establish clear objectives, such as advocating for divestment from companies complicit in apartheid or organizing awareness campaigns, and work towards official recognition from your university to gain access to funding and resources.
Building a local chapter also strengthens connections with the broader movement. Apartheid Off Campus provides guidance, training materials, and networking opportunities to help student groups grow and sustain their activism.
Participate in Advocacy and Campaigns
Advocacy is a critical tool for pressuring institutions to take a stand against apartheid. One of the most impactful campaigns is divestment, which calls on universities to cut financial ties with companies that profit from occupation, segregation, and systemic discrimination. Research your university’s investment portfolio and identify potential areas of concern. Work with student organizations to draft petitions, organize letter-writing campaigns, and present demands to university administrators.
Engaging with student unions and faculty members can also strengthen advocacy efforts. Many faculty members support human rights initiatives and can be valuable allies in passing student government resolutions, facilitating educational programs, and providing academic research to support divestment arguments. Building coalitions across campus increases visibility and puts greater pressure on university leadership to respond.
Campaigns can also extend beyond financial divestment to include boycotts of academic partnerships, research collaborations, and exchange programs that involve institutions complicit in apartheid policies. Advocacy takes many forms, and sustained pressure through different strategies helps maintain momentum.
Organize Events and Actions
Educational events and direct actions are essential for raising awareness and mobilizing support. Organizing panel discussions, film screenings, and guest lectures featuring scholars, activists, and impacted communities provides students with deeper insights into the realities of apartheid and resistance movements. Workshops on international law, historical case studies, and media literacy can help students develop informed perspectives and effective advocacy skills.
Beyond educational events, rallies, sit-ins, and demonstrations are powerful ways to demand action from university administrations. Peaceful protests, coordinated walkouts, and creative demonstrations—such as symbolic apartheid walls or public art installations—can generate widespread attention and spark dialogue on campus. When organizing events, ensure clear messaging, safety considerations, and collaboration with other campus organizations to maximize impact.
Use Digital Activism to Raise Awareness
Social media has transformed activism, making it possible to reach a global audience and mobilize support beyond physical spaces. Digital platforms are essential for spreading awareness, sharing resources, and countering misinformation.
Students can use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok to highlight university complicity in apartheid, share educational materials, and amplify solidarity messages. Creating infographics, writing blog posts, and producing short videos can make complex issues accessible and engage broader audiences.
Online petitions, email campaigns, and coordinated hashtag movements also play a crucial role in pressuring institutions and policymakers. By tagging university officials, media outlets, and public figures, students can demand accountability and bring attention to their campaigns. Digital activism works best when combined with on-the-ground organizing, creating a multi-faceted approach to advocacy.
In addition to petitions and hashtag campaigns, students can use digital activism to debunk misinformation, share real-time updates from affected communities, and create educational resources that counter mainstream narratives.
Hosting online webinars, Twitter spaces, or Instagram live discussions featuring experts, activists, and scholars can engage wider audiences and encourage meaningful conversations about apartheid and institutional complicity.
Collaborating with influencers, journalists, and advocacy groups can also amplify the movement’s reach, ensuring that important issues gain traction beyond campus communities. By integrating digital strategies with traditional activism, students can sustain long-term engagement and keep institutional accountability at the forefront of public discourse.
Connect with the Movement
Joining a movement like Apartheid Off Campus means becoming part of a network of activists, educators, and organizations working towards a common goal. Staying connected with the latest updates, resources, and opportunities for involvement ensures sustained engagement.
Subscribing to newsletters and joining online discussion groups allows students to stay informed about upcoming events, new campaigns, and advocacy tools. Attending national and international conferences focused on human rights, divestment, and academic freedom provides networking opportunities and strengthens collaborative efforts.
Building relationships with other student activists and solidarity organizations fosters a stronger, more coordinated movement. Many global human rights groups provide mentorship, training, and legal support for student organizers facing resistance from institutions.
Resources for Activists
Engaging in activism requires knowledge, preparation, and support. Apartheid Off Campus and allied organizations offer toolkits, research reports, and legal guidance to help students navigate challenges in their advocacy work. Accessing reliable information from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Criminal Court strengthens arguments and credibility in campaigns.
For students facing administrative pushback, legal resources can provide guidance on free speech protections, student rights, and institutional policies. Organizations like Palestine Legal and the European Legal Support Center offer assistance to students encountering censorship or retaliation for their activism.
Activism can also be emotionally and mentally exhausting, particularly when facing opposition. Prioritizing mental health, seeking peer support, and engaging in self-care practices are crucial for maintaining long-term commitment to the movement. Connecting with other activists in support networks can help prevent burnout and sustain momentum in the fight for justice.