Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report

Institute for the Study of Human Rights Columbia University 2010 Program Report | 1

Table of Contents Introduction

1 Introduction 1

2 The Advocates — In Their Own Words 3 Before I came to HRAP, I knew that people were NAJLAA AHMED ...... 3 1 suffering in Bosnia and that people were dying in JAMES RWAMPIGI ANIYAMUZAALA ...... 6 Sudan. But when I came to HRAP, I met advocates SIARHEI ANTUSEVICH ...... 10 from Bosnia, Sudan and other countries—people who SUSAN ARYEETEY ...... 13 are living and making a difference in their countries. AGNES ATIM...... 17 COLETTE LESPINASSE...... 21 Colette Lespinasse, 2010 Advocate GLENDA MUZENDA ...... 24 ANDREA NUILA ...... 27 AZRA SMAILKADIC-BRKIC...... 30 Photo below and on the cover—The Advocates visited the Statue of Liberty at the end of orientation week. BAKARY TANDIA ...... 33

3 Workshops 37

4 Support 43

5 HRAP Administration 45

6 Institute for the Study of Human Rights 48

7 Comments from HRAP’s Partners 49 2 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 3

The 22nd year of the Human Rights and deepen their expertise on a number of Advocates Program (HRAP) at Columbia issues including HIV/AIDS, gender justice, University continued the Institute for the disability rights, LGBT rights, genocide, Study of Human Right’s commitment to war crimes, trade unions, the rule of law, The Advocates strengthening the skills, knowledge and migration, sexual and reproductive rights networks of proven grassroots human rights and immigrants’ rights. In Their Own Words leaders who are “making a difference in their countries,” as observed by the 2010 Advocate The 2010 HRAP welcomed the from Haiti, Colette Lespinasse. involvement of HRAP alumni. Several 2This year, we asked the Advocates to take a stand against human rights violations, HRAP alumni agreed to interview applicants share with us what inspired them to work in discrimination, injustice and inequality—to Academic coursework, skills-building to the 2010 Program. In addition to human rights. Following each interview are help my people have a better future and to workshops and networking opportunities interviewing a number of strong applicants, details on each Advocate’s participation in live with dignity to honor my profession.” with the human rights, academic and donor 2009 Advocate Elsadig Elsheikh returned the 2010 HRAP. Najlaa has faced every situation of injustice communities, primarily in New York City to Columbia University to lead a very well- with the mindset, “What can I do? I am and Washington, D.C., comprise the HRAP received workshop on Negotiation and morally and legally obliged to provide those curriculum. Through a very competitive Communication. 1996 Advocate Twesigye vulnerable with what I can.” selection process, 10 human rights leaders Jackson Kaguri shared with the Advocates NAJLAA AHMED were selected from 170 applicants. The 2010 and members of the Columbia University Advocates came from Belarus, Bosnia/USA, community his experience building schools Human Rights Monitoring Officer Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, Mauritania/USA, for AIDS orphans in his home country, South Africa, Sudan and Uganda (2) to share Uganda. ACJPS

Susan and Agnes discussed the accuracy of the Ghanaian costume on a doll at the Ellis Island Museum. Sudan For Najlaa Ahmed, the calling to human rights came as a result of the world that surrounded her in her home country of Sudan. Growing up, Najlaa witnessed firsthand the fear of her people not to talk or walk freely under the Sudanese restrictive laws. “I heard stories of people who disappeared or were tortured. Some survived with their physical and mental pain, but others died. Seeing the impact of war on my people’s faces, I felt it was my duty to my people and to my profession as a lawyer to 4 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 5

Najlaa’s involvement in human rights Faculty Mentor Washington, D.C. Speaking Engagements work thus began including performing Fund for Global Human Rights Building Peace: Exploring the Intersections of charity work collecting clothes and food to Mahmood Mamdani Inspection Panel, Th e World Bank Group Militarism and Violence Against Women, give to people in need. During this time, Interactive Workshop Presentation. Sponsored Herbert Lehman Professor of Government and Institute for Policy Studies she says, “I gained enormous knowledge Professor of Anthropology by the United Methodist Women, the Center International Center for Research on Women for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers and recognized the other side of life—the Department of Anthropology life of street children, women in IDP camps, National Endowment for Democracy University and the World Council of Churches UN Offi ce. women in prisons, and the challenges of Classes Refugees International women tea and food sellers who each has International Human Rights Day Celebration: Transitional Justice, Columbia Law School Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Presentation on the Relevance of the Universal her own story of struggle.” Rights Major Debates in African Studies, Department of Declaration of Human Rights to the Work of Anthropology United States Institute for Peace Human Rights Advocates. Sponsored by the Th rough pursuing advocacy of human Institute for the Study of Human Rights and rights, Najlaa explains that she discovered Networking Vital Voices Global Partnership the Human Rights Working Group, School how there are no limits to her involvement for International and Public Aff airs, Columbia and what she is able to achieve. “Th is is a New York City Greater Boston Area University. Harvard University, Harvard Humanitarian continuing battle without rest,” she says Arcus Foundation Presentation on Human Rights Work. Sponsored by Initiative Open Society Foundations, Africa Regional of her work in human rights. “My only Center for Constitutional Rights instrument is my profession [as an advocate], My Sister’s Keeper Program. which I’m relying on to achieve justice for Columbia University, New Media Taskforce Roundtable Discussion on Development featuring all.” In the face of the struggle and battle she Crisis Action Bakary Tandia, Susan Aryeetey, Agnes Atim, James Rwampigi Aniyamuzaala, Najlaa Ahmed, Glenda faces to help improve the human rights of Development Group for Alternative Policies Muzenda, Colette Lespinasse, Andrea Nuila and her people, Najlaa looks to the achievements Friends of Africa International, Democracy and Azra Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by Institute of great leaders who have come before her. Human Rights Project Sudan for Policy Studies. She refl ects, “Like Gandhi, Martin Luther Hollaback! King Jr., Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, others I have met, and others I dream to Human Rights Watch, Africa Division meet, who dedicated their lives to the cause International Center for Transitional Justice Najlaa has faced every situation of a better future for their people and set International Refugee Rights Initiative of injustice with the mindset, principles and values to follow, I continually Open Society Foundations, Africa Regional fi nd motivation to work for human rights. Program What can I do? I am morally Above all, the prolonged suff ering of my United Nations Development Fund for Women and legally obliged to provide people motivates me not to surrender.” Wellspring Advisors, LLC those vulnerable with Najlaa with Ky-Mani Marley at the “Get Up, Stand Up, Speak Up—Stop what I can. Discrimination” UN event in honor of Human Rights Day. Photo courtesy of Najlaa Ahmed. 6 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 7

JAMES RWAMPIGI mission to help women and children with He says, “Positive and progressive action Major Debates in African Studies, Department of ANIYAMUZAALA disabilities through her organization and both locally and globally motivates me Anthropology that I was responsible to realize her dream to keep advocating for human rights for Networking of a good and improved standard of living persons with disabilities.” Human Rights Program Coordinator for persons with disabilities.” New York City Youth with Physical Disability Faculty Mentor Th rough student groups in high school, Arcus Foundation Development Forum Barnard College James began his work as an advocate for Michelle Sondra Ballan the disabled. He continues his work today Columbia Law School, Center for Gender and Uganda Assistant Professor of Social Work through the numerous commitments he has Sexuality Law School of Social Work When James Aniyamuzaala became made: Human Rights Coordinator with Columbia University, Institute of African Studies hard of hearing after an accident at the age Youth with Physical Disability Development Classes Columbia University, Mailman School of Public of eight, it was not his fi rst encounter facing Forum, President of the Uganda Federation Health the situation of persons with disabilities. of Hard of Hearing, board member of the Issues in Rural Development, School of International and Public Aff airs Columbia University, New Media Taskforce His mother, Mary Aniyamuzaala, was a International Federation of Hard of Hearing polio survivor and one of the founders of Young People, and member of Global Law, Policy, Rights: Exploring Rights-Based Columbia University, School for International and Public Aff airs the National Union of Disabled Persons of Partnership for Disability and Development. Approaches to Health, Mailman School of Public Health Uganda. Columbia University, School of Social Work

As an orphan at the age of 12, he recognized that education was the only way for him to survive. However, James became I felt my mother frustrated with the stereotypes placed on had left behind him as a person with a disability. James made it his mission to prevent other persons a mission to help women with disabilities, particularly children and and children with youth, from having the same challenges disabilities through her he had encountered. He says, “I seek to organization and that I remove the institutional barriers that limit was responsible to realize participation of persons with disabilities in development and community programs. I her dream of a good and believe that the quality of life of a society improved standard of can also be measured by how it treats its living for persons with most vulnerable citizens.” James also credits disabilities. his mother as a strong source of inspiration to him: “I felt my mother had left behind a 8 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 9

Development Group for Alternative Policies Open Society Foundations, Disability Rights Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) the Human Rights Working Group, School Initiative in collaboration with the United Nations for International and Public Affairs, Columbia Disability Action Department of Economic and Social Affairs and University. Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Global Information Network the Permanent Mission of the United States to Rights Panel Presentation on Work in Human Rights the United Nations. Hearing Loss Association of America featuring Agnes Atim, James Aniyamuzaala, U.S. Department of State Bureau of African Affairs Human Rights Watch, Africa Division Disability and HIV/AIDS. Sponsored by U.S. Glenda Muzenda, Andrea Nuila and Bakary United States Institute for Peace Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Tandia. Sponsored by the Mailman School of Human Rights Watch, Disability Rights Division United States International Council on Disability Human Rights, and Labor, Washington, D.C. Public Health, Columbia University. Interactive Drama for Education and Awareness in U.S. Department of State Bureau of Democracy, From Objects of Charity to Rights Holders: A Case Presentation on Human Rights Work. Sponsored by Schools (Youth Program) Human Rights, and Labor Study of Uganda. Sponsored by Institute for Open Society Foundations, Africa Regional International Disability Alliance African Studies, Columbia University. Program. World Bank Group, Disability Division Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS International Human Rights Day Celebration: Presentation on Human Rights Work featuring Presentation on the Relevance of the Universal Colette Lespinasse, Glenda Muzenda, Susan Open Society Foundations, Africa Regional Speaking Engagements Declaration of Human Rights to the Work of Aryeetey, Andrea Nuila and James Aniyamuzaala. Program AIDS and Disability: An Emerging Concern. Human Rights Advocates. Sponsored by the Sponsored by the Undergraduate Human Rights Riverside Church of New York City Sponsored by The Joint United Nations Institute for the Study of Human Rights and Program, Columbia University. StoryCorps Roundtable Discussion on Development featuring United Nations Children’s Fund Bakary Tandia, Susan Aryeetey, Agnes Atim, James Aniyamuzaala, Najlaa Ahmed, Glenda Muzenda, United Nations Department of Economic and Colette Lespinasse, Andrea Nuila and Azra Social Affairs, Secretariat for the Convention Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by Institute for on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Policy Studies. United Nations Programme on Youth State of Disability Rights in Uganda. Sponsored by Wellspring Advisors, LLC Columbia University Seminars. Story Hour with Human Rights Advocates James Washington, D.C. Aniyamuzaala and Andrea Nuila. Sponsored by Grassroots Policy Network and the Advocates for Youth Human Rights Working Group, the School Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf of International and Public Affairs, Columbia and Hard of Hearing University. American Association of Persons with Disabilities The New Generation of Activists from the Continent, Burton Blatt Institute/Global Partnership for Their Vision and The Challenges They Face. Disability Development Sponsored by Global Information Network and the Manhattan Neighborhood Network. Fund for Global Human Rights Inspection Panel, The World Bank Group Institute for Policy Studies 2008 Advocate Dr. Roger Luhiriri (DRC) National Endowment for Democracy welcomed James to NYC. 10 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 11

SIARHEI ANTUSEVICH say to me, ‘Th ank you,’ I am motivated to Networking keep advocating for human rights.” Siarhei Secretary-Treasurer concludes, “Humans are born free, but some New York City people have advantages over others. I want Belarusian Independent Trade Union Arcus Foundation to make our world just.” American Jewish Committee Belarus Faculty Mentors Association for Union Democracy Siarhei Antusevich began his fi ght Belarusian-American Association to promote human rights in Belarus by Alexander A. Cooley Business & Human Rights Resource Centre distributing leafl ets to educate people about Associate Professor their rights at public demonstrations. He Columbia Law School, Center for International Relations and Foreign Policy, School Gender and Sexuality Law explains, “I do human rights work because of International and Public Aff airs I want to change the lives of Belarusian Columbia University, New Media citizens—so they can have better working Political Science Department, Barnard College Taskforce conditions.” Columbia University, Harriman Jack Lewis Snyder Institute Siarhei has helped workers with issues Director of Th e Harriman Institute, School of International and Public Aff airs Development Group for Alternative including vacation time, work hours and Policies Robert and Renee Belfer Professor of International plant conditions. Th anks to the successes he East-West Management Institute, Inc. was able to achieve, Siarhei eventually joined Relations, Political Science Department Open Society Foundations, Russia/ the Belarus Independent Trade Union. He Class CEE Division said, “I saw that I could solve the problems of workers. Th e independent union had Social Movements and Social Change, School of Wellspring Advisors, LLC International and Public Aff airs grassroots activities, provided labor and legal Washington, D.C. aid, and organized meetings to create local enterprise unions.” Siarhei has since taken American Federation of Labor Humans and Congress of Industrial advantage of all of these mechanisms to Organizations/Solidarity Center improve labor rights in Belarus. Even though are born free, Fund for Global Human Rights the Belarusian government has continued but some people Inspection Panel, Th e World Bank to suppress trade unions, Siarhei remains have advantages compelled to continue his work. “Th ere Group are many violations in diff erent human over others. Institute for Policy Studies rights spheres in Belarus,” he states, “so I International Labor Rights Forum think it’s very important for me to change I want to make National Democratic Institute this situation. When my union members our world just. National Endowment for Democracy 12 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 13

Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human for International and Public Aff airs, Columbia SUSAN ARYEETEY Susan was directly exposed to the intensity Rights University. of male dominance in society such as Society for International Development Presentation on Work of Belarusian Independent Trade learning that by 2006, only 10 percent of Union. Sponsored by the Belarusian-American Resource Mobilization and United States Institute for Peace the participation in the district assemblies Association. Communications Offi cer Worker Rights Consortium of Ghana was female. She also met with Th e Intersection of Human Rights and Development: abused women and helped them to receive Speaking Engagements Voices from the Field, Panel Presentation International Federation of Women legal reparation. After successfully acquiring featuring Bakary Tandia, Glenda Muzenda, childcare for a woman, Susan says, “I knew Current Political and Economic Situation in Belarus. Azra Smailkadic-Brkic and Siarhei Antusevich. Lawyers (FIDA-Ghana) Sponsored by American Jewish Committee. Sponsored by Society for International this was a good cause, and I was motivated Ghana to follow human rights.” Since then, Susan International Human Rights Day Celebration: Development–Washington, D.C. Presentation on the Relevance of the Universal For Susan Aryeetey, a career in human has shaped her career around human rights. Declaration of Human Rights to the Work of rights developed almost by default. “I was She explains, “I’ve learned never to accept Human Rights Advocates. Sponsored by the the fi rst woman made a radio news editor no as an answer, never to see a closed door Institute for the Study of Human Rights and as a lost opportunity. the Human Rights Working Group, School One of Siarhei’s mentors was Prof. Alex Cooley in Ghana, as well as of SIPA and Barnard. the host of a program I look only at the focusing on the I’ve learned never possibilities. I now family, single mothers, to accept no as an apply the lessons from my work to my children, and women’s answer, never to see a issues,” she explains. personal life.” “Women’s issues took closed door as a lost center stage in my opportunity. Working in life when I joined I look only at the human rights has also the International possibilities. taught her that men Federation of Women are a necessary part Lawyers (FIDA- of the empowerment Ghana).” Travelling of women. “Th e across her West organization I work for African nation and seeing fi rsthand the started implementing a program to improve challenges, diffi culties and disadvantaged women’s access to justice in the northern position of women and girls motivated her. region, where it established a Sister Watch group, a type of community watch program Susan started working for FIDA-Ghana to assist domestic violence victims. At fi rst, in the communications department. She is the organization assumed that it will involve now also working on resource mobilization. only women, but it was realized that without Th rough her work with the organization, engaging men and bringing human rights to them as well, the established customary laws 14 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 15

can’t change. The involvement of men may New Media, School of International and Public Columbia Law School, Center for Gender and Global Justice Center Sexuality Law lead them to change their own mindset and Affairs Hollaback! Columbia University, Institute of African Studies to help their wives and the community.” Networking Human Rights Watch, Africa Division Columbia University, New Media Taskforce Legal Momentum Susan now looks ahead to expand her New York City Connect to Learn work with some of the tools she learned Open Society Foundations, Africa Regional Development Group for Alternative Policies Program about in HRAP. “I have a passion to see Arcus Foundation new media technology being used to have Barnard College Equality Now StoryCorps an impact on women professionally. The Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Foundation Center United Nations Development Fund for Women Affairs internet and digital technology are here with Global Fund for Women Wellspring Advisors, LLC us. Mobile phone technology helped Ghana Center for Reproductive Rights Global Information Network and Africa at large not only cross the barrier Washington, D.C. but leapfrog technological challenges to Center for Health and Gender Equity join the rest of the world. Embracing digital Earth Rights International technology will be a great way to provide opportunities for both young women and Fund for Global Human Rights men.” Susan wants to provide opportunities Inspection Panel, The World Bank Group for young boys and girls to learn about Institute for Policy Studies new media and technology and utilize the International Center for Journalists opportunities of new media to find solutions to human rights issues in her country. She International Center for Research on Women adds, “This will also serve as a way empower National Endowment for Democracy the youth and cultivate their interest in Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human human rights issues.” Rights United States Institute for Peace Faculty Mentor Vital Voices Global Partnership Women Thrive Worldwide Katherine M. Franke Professor of Law Speaking Engagements Director, Center for Gender and Sexuality Law Ethics in Business: Interview with Susan Aryeetey on Women in Ghana. Sponsored by Global Ethics Columbia Law School Forum, Carnegie Ethics Studio, and Carnegie Classes Council for Ethics in International Affairs. Interview on The African Show, WKCR-FM (89.9 Human Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa, Barnard FM), Columbia University. College 16 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 17

International Human Rights Day Celebration: Presentation on Human Rights Work featuring AGNES ATIM Her work in human rights has included Presentation on the Relevance of the Universal Colette Lespinasse, Glenda Muzenda, Susan positions in well-known international Declaration of Human Rights to the Work of Aryeetey, Andrea Nuila and James Aniyamuzaala. organizations such as the International Human Rights Advocates. Sponsored by the Sponsored by the Undergraduate Human Rights Executive Director Institute for the Study of Human Rights and Program, Columbia University. Rescue Committee, War Child Holland, the Human Rights Working Group, School and Childfund. According to her, “I knew Roundtable Discussion on African Development National Community of Women Living for International and Public Aff airs, Columbia featuring Bakary Tandia, Susan Aryeetey, Agnes that to make the most diff erence—to really University. with HIV/AIDS Atim, James Aniyamuzaala, Najlaa Ahmed, Glenda work to protect girls’ rights—I had to work Panel Presentation on Work in Human Rights Muzenda, Colette Lespinasse, Andrea Nuila and Uganda with the most vulnerable.” She cites this as featuring Agnes Atim, James Aniyamuzaala, Azra Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by Institute the reason for becoming Executive Director Glenda Muzenda, Susan Aryeetey, Andrea Nuila for Policy Studies. Human rights, particularly women’s of the National Community of Women and Bakary Tandia. Sponsored by Mailman Th e New Generation of Activists from the Continent, rights, have been a long-sought achievement Living with HIV and AIDS in Uganda School of Public Health, Columbia University. Th eir Vision and Th e Challenges Th ey Face. Panel for Agnes Atim not merely in her career but (NACWOLA). At NACWOLA, Agnes Presentation on Human Rights Work. Sponsored by Discussion. Sponsored by Global Information also in her life. “At age fi ve,” she says, “I’d empowers women living with HIV/AIDS Open Society Foundations, Africa Regional Network and the Manhattan Neighborhood see my mom crying after being beaten by to live a dignifi ed and productive life without Program. Network. my father. Growing up in a family of eight prejudice. girls, my sisters and I were all seen as useless Susan introduced herself to the attendees at the welcome reception as Andrea, Colette and Prof. Andy Nathan looked on. in the community because we were girls. By Agnes also explains that working in the time I turned 18, both my mother and human rights has greatly changed her own father had died. My relatives and neighbors understanding of human rights. “Before, I came to take over our land because we were thought human rights were just for victims, girls and had no inheritance rights. Th e only but I’ve realized human rights are also secure place to live was with my grandmother whose only option for protection was a proposal to marry me off to an older man (who already had four wives) so that he could help take care of my siblings.” My work made me realize Anger and frustration fi lled Agnes from the injustice and powerlessness she that human rights experienced. With the help of a nun who do not exist in isolation. off ered to pay the costs of her education, Agnes found her life’s mission. She says, “I Human rights are a will do anything to protect a girl child and cross-cutting issue— a woman to attain their rights in the society in which they live.” they are a part of everything. 18 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 19

for non-victims. Boys and girls must be Assistant Professor of Clinical Epidemiology United Nations Development Program Fund for Global Human Rights treated the same, and human rights creates Mailman School of Public Health Wellspring Advisors, LLC Global AIDS Alliance the balance. Having been a victim, I don’t Inspection Panel, The World Bank Group point fingers anymore. As my mother said, Class Washington, D.C. Institute for Policy Studies ‘When you point your finger, all the others Law, Policy, Rights: Exploring Rights-Based Centre for Development and Population Activities are pointing back at you.’” Agnes affirms the Approaches to Health, Mailman School of International Center for Research on Women Center for Health and Gender Equity universality of human rights she has learned Public Health National Endowment for Democracy from her work and continues to live by them. “My work made me realize that human Networking rights do not exist in isolation. Human rights are a cross-cutting issue—they are a New York City part of everything.” She remains unsettled, Barnard College however, by the disconnect between victims Center for Reproductive Health of human rights abuses and the mechanisms Columbia Law School, Center for Gender and available to them to access justice. She says, Sexuality Law “The world is now aware of human rights Columbia University, Institute of African Studies and violations, but what do mechanisms like Columbia University, Mailman School of Public CEDAW mean if not translated into action Health and able to reach ordinary women whose rights are being violated, women who don’t Columbia University, New Media Taskforce even know about their rights? That’s why Development Group for Alternative Policies I’m in HRAP—to get better skills on how Global Information Network to engage and hold all those accountable Hollaback! for the implementation of UN conventions Huairou Commission Grassroots Women and international human rights treaties. I International Academy want to ensure that these mechanisms have Human Rights Watch, Africa Division meaning in the lives of people and ensure accessible justice for all.” New York City AIDS Housing Network Open Society Foundations, Africa Regional Faculty Mentor Program Open Society Foundations, Public Health Dr. David Hoos United Nations, Baha’I International Community Director of Mailman School of Public Health Office – International Center for AIDS Care and United Nations Children’s Fund Treatment Programs United Nations Development Fund for Women 20 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 21

Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Glenda Muzenda, Andrea Nuila and Bakary COLETTE LESPINASSE She quickly found an opportunity at the Rights Tandia. Sponsored by Mailman School of Public Catholic radio station, Radio Soleil. “I was U.S. Department of State Bureau of African Aff airs Health, Columbia University. Executive Director inspired by the role of Radio Soleil to make United States Institute for Peace Presentation on Human Rights Work. Sponsored by changes. Th e information and education Open Society Foundations, Africa Regional Vital Voices Global Partnership Groupe d’Appui aux Rapatries awareness programs it broadcast nationally Program. et aux Refugies made it the only radio [station in Haiti]to Greater Boston Area Presentation on NACWOLA for John Snow and do this.” She later began to focus on migrant Bantwana Initiative. Sponsored by John Snow, Harvard University, Harvard Humanitarian Haiti rights after discovering the discrimination Inc., Boston, MA. Initiative against Haitians in the Dominican Republic. During the 1980s, Colette Lespinasse John Snow, Inc. Presentation on NACWOLA. Sponsored by She says, “When the Dominican Republic the Institute for Africa Studies, Columbia became an advocate as she learned about expelled over 80,000 Haitians during Management Sciences for Health University. the plight of peasants and the urban poor the Aristide administration, I created my My Sister’s Keeper in Haiti. She started attending meetings Roundtable Discussion on Development featuring organization GARR because I wanted to Speaking Engagements Bakary Tandia, Susan Aryeetey, Agnes Atim, James and activities to improve Haitian society. Aniyamuzaala, Najlaa Ahmed, Glenda Muzenda, improve relations and Disability and HIV/AIDS. Sponsored by U.S. Colette Lespinasse, Andrea Nuila and Azra off er humanitarian Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by Institute for assistance.” She has Human Rights, and Labor, Washington D.C. Policy Studies. since opened up Human Rights and Health: Complexity and Diversity: Th e New Generation of Activists from the Continent, constructive dialogue HIV is Not a Crime but a Human Right Issue: the Th eir Vision and Th e Challenges Th ey Face, Panel between Haitians and Experience of Women Living with HIV in Uganda. Discussion. Sponsored by Global Information Dominicans in the A Panel Discussion with African Human Rights Network and the Manhattan Neighborhood Dominican Republic. Network. Activists featuring Agnes Atim. Sponsored by She said, “I discovered the Heilbrunn Department of Population and I need to keep working Family Health and the Institute for the Study of Prof. T.R. Lansner met Agnes at the Human Rights, Columbia University. welcome reception. not just with Haitians International Human Rights Day Celebration: but with Dominicans Presentation on the Relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to the Work of Human Rights Advocates. Sponsored by the Institute for the Study of Human Rights and the Human Rights Working Group, School Human for International and Public Aff airs, Columbia rights has University. given me a Interview with students from School for International and Public Aff airs, Columbia University. passion. Panel Presentation on Work in Human Rights featuring Agnes Atim, James Aniyamuzaala, 22 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 23

as well, to advocate not only within Haiti Human Rights Watch, Americas Division Greater Boston Area Co-Cosponsored by the Office of the University Chaplain and The Kraft Family Fund for but within the Dominican Republic too.” Legal Momentum Harvard Humanitarian Initiative Intercultural and Interfaith Awareness. New School, Latin America Forum International Network of Crisis Mappers She concludes, “Human rights has given Presentation on Groupe d’Appui aux Rapatries et New York University, School of Law, Center for me a passion. Now, I can’t work somewhere Speaking Engagements aux Refugies (GARR). Sponsored by Mailman Human Rights and Global Justice School of Public Health, Columbia University. without passion.” Haiti: Lessons Learned and Lingering Issues of a Post Open Society Foundations, International Women’s Presentation on Human Rights Work featuring Disaster Response. Sponsored by Latin American Program Colette Lespinasse, Glenda Muzenda, Susan Forum, The New School. Faculty Mentor Saint Mary’s Church Aryeetey, Andrea Nuila and James Aniyamuzaala. Haiti: News from the Front Line. Presentation on Sponsored by the Undergraduate Human Rights StoryCorps Peter Rosenblum Groupe d’Appui aux Rapatries et aux Refugies Program, Columbia University. (GARR). Sponsored by the Human Rights Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein Clinical Wellspring Advisors, LLC Roundtable Discussion on Development featuring Studies Program, Barnard College. Professor in Human Rights Bakary Tandia, Susan Aryeetey, Agnes Atim, James Washington, D.C. International Human Rights Day Celebration: Aniyamuzaala, Najlaa Ahmed, Glenda Muzenda, Columbia Law School American Federation of Labor and Congress of Presentation on the Relevance of the Universal Colette Lespinasse, Andrea Nuila and Azra Classes Industrial Organizations/Solidarity Center Declaration of Human Rights to the Work of Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by Institute for Human Rights Advocates. Sponsored by the Policy Studies. Center for Justice and International Law Institute for the Study of Human Rights and International Migration, Department of Sociology Colette and the other Advocates learned about the Human Rights Working Group, School Oral History, Oral History MA Program Fund for Global Human Rights campaigns at AIUSA. for International and Public Affairs, Columbia Inspection Panel, The World Bank Group Networking University. Institute for Policy Studies Interview with the Global Ethics Forum, Carnegie New York City International Center for Journalists Ethics Studio, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. Arcus Foundation International Center for Research on Women National Endowment for Democracy Interview with Public Affairs Student Group at Barnard College Princeton University traveling to Haiti on a Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Refugees International contract with the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. Affairs Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Interview with students from the Oral History Master Columbia Law School, Center for Gender and Rights of Arts Program at Columbia University. Sexuality Law Solidarity Center/AFL-CIO Interview with Voice of America. Columbia University, Institute of African Studies United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Interview with WKCR-FM (89.9 FM), Columbia Columbia University, New Media Taskforce United States Committee for Refugees and University. Columbia University, WKCR-FM Immigrants How the Intersections of Geography and Immigration Affect Issues of Identity and Diversity of Four Development Group for Alternative Policies United States Institute for Peace Border Regions: Bangladesh-India, Bangladesh- Foundation Center Vital Voices Global Partnership Burma, Haiti-Dominican Republic and USA- Hollaback! Voice of America Mexico. Sponsored by Club Bangla, SOL, Club Zamana and HAS Columbia University, 24 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 25

GLENDA MUZENDA to implement changes are still lacking. Th at Center for Gay, Lesbian, and Trans People Hollaback! need is what continues to lead her work Columbia Law School, Center for Gender and Huairou Commission Grassroots Women South Africa today. “I want to wake up and not worry Sexuality Law International Academy about care giving, yet there is still a need for Columbia University, Institute of African Studies Human Rights Watch, Africa Division “To work in human rights, you need trained people to take care of people, and Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Human Rights Watch Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program to be passionate. One person can make a also women in communities are still being Health M·A·C AIDS Fund diff erence,” says Glenda Muzenda. Her neglected and not looking inwards to get Columbia University, New Media Taskforce advocacy career stems from a more personal New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti Violence help, too. Th is is a gender and economical Columbia University, Queer Health Task Force Project turn in life, the suicide of a friend who justice issue that is turning into another had HIV/AIDS. Glenda said, “I felt the Columbia University, WKCR-FM Open Society Foundations, Africa Regional crisis of health for women in this sector.” Program communities and families didn’t understand Development Group for Alternative Policies Open Society Foundations, Public Health what Sally had gone through, as many Global Information Network women who have had to go through this Faculty Mentor Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Health Global Access Project Transgender Elders unnecessary pain of being stigmatized and isolated because of a disease that has Th eodorus Sandfort unfortunately yet to be embraced in our Research Scientist, HIV Center for Clinical and society still today. My friend seemed so Behavioral Studies alone, and I thought no one should ever Associate Professor of Clinical Sociomedical be alone. Sally committed suicide in 2001 Sciences not because she was too ill. She was tired of Mailman School of Public Health being the laughing stock.” Classes Emboldened by her experiences, Glenda Law, Policy, Rights: Exploring Rights-Based volunteered for British Columbia People Approaches to Health, Mailman School of with AIDS in Vancouver, Canada. She Public Health quickly decided to return to South Africa Sexuality, Gender and Human Rights, Mailman where she thought her skills were needed. School of Public Health Networking To work Her goal is to change social attitudes in human concerning stigmas by raising awareness of the rights available to people living with New York City rights, you need HIV/AIDS. She said, “We need a rights- Arcus Foundation to be passionate. based approach to all eff orts to holistically Astraea Lesbian One person can Foundation for care for our people.” Th e need for human Justice make a rights, she affi rms, is so strong because even Barnard College difference. after having the right information, resources 26 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 27

StoryCorps Panel Presentation featuring Glenda Muzenda. ANDREA NUILA Andrea Nuila grew up with a perspective United Nations Development Fund for Women Sponsored by the Queer Health Taskforce, of the reality of Honduras that her peers did Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia not share. “I was sitting in my car one day,” Wellspring Advisors, LLC University. Program Assistant, Sexual and Reproductive Rights she recalls, “and suddenly there was a gun Panel Presentation on Work in Human Rights pointed at my head because they wanted my Washington, D.C. featuring Agnes Atim, James Aniyamuzaala, Fund for Global Human Rights Glenda Muzenda, Susan Aryeetey, Andrea Nuila Center for Women’s Rights cell phone. While this was not unusual for Honduras, I knew it shouldn’t be this way.” Global AIDS Alliance and Bakary Tandia. Sponsored by Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University. Honduras Human Rights Campaign Presentation on Human Rights Work. Sponsored by Andrea’s parents are political Inspection Panel, Th e World Bank Group Open Society Foundations, Africa Regional activists and have been instrumental Institute for Policy Studies Program. in teaching her that human rights International Center for Research on Women Presentation on Human Rights Work featuring are a way to measure society. “My International Women’s Media Foundation Colette Lespinasse, Glenda Muzenda, Susan mother taught me about feminism. Aryeetey, Andrea Nuila and James Aniyamuzaala. National Endowment for Democracy Both of my parents were exiled Sponsored by the Undergraduate Human Rights Open Society Foundations, LGBTI Rights Program. Initiative Roundtable Discussion on Development featuring Human rights is Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Bakary Tandia, Susan Aryeetey, Agnes Atim, James Rights Aniyamuzaala, Najlaa Ahmed, Glenda Muzenda, not a profession. Society for International Development Colette Lespinasse, Andrea Nuila and Azra Human rights is United States Institute for Peace Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by Institute for a way of Policy Studies. Vital Voices Global Partnership being. South African Women and Media: Importance vs. Speaking Engagements Impotence? Sponsored by the Institute for African Studies, Columbia University. International Human Rights Day Celebration: from Honduras to Mexico, so Presentation on the Relevance of the Universal Th e Intersection of Human Rights and Development: Declaration of Human Rights to the Work of Voices from the Field, Panel Presentation they raised me to believe in social Human Rights Advocates. Sponsored by the featuring Bakary Tandia, Glenda Muzenda, justice,” she explains. As a teenager, Institute for the Study of Human Rights and Azra Smailkadic-Brkic and Siarhei Antusevich. Andrea spent her summer vacations the Human Rights Working Group, School Sponsored by Society for International helping with diff erent tasks at Development (SID-Washington). for International and Public Aff airs, Columbia women’s organizations where she University. Th e New Generation of Activists from the Continent, had fi rsthand contact with gender Interview on Th e African Show, WKCR-FM (89.9 Th eir Vision and Th e Challenges Th ey Face. Panel and women’s issues in Honduras. FM), Columbia University. Discussion. Sponsored by Global Information Network and the Manhattan Neighborhood Having since volunteered at a sexual LGBTQ Rights and International Public Health: Network. reproductive rights program, worked Th e Intersections of International Sexual Rights with women’s organizations with Health Promotion and Development Practices. which her mother and aunts have 28 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 29

been affiliated, and studied human rights Social Movements and Social Change, School of Centro Mexicano de Derecho Ambiental and Bakary Tandia. Sponsored by Mailman law, Andrea states, “Human rights is not a International and Public Affairs (CEMDA) School of Public Health, Columbia University. profession. Human rights is a way of being.” Networking Fund for Global Human Rights Presentation on the Center for Women’s Rights. Sponsored by Mailman School of Public Health, She is frustrated by the ignorance and apathy Inspection Panel, The World Bank Group Columbia University. of others. “For me,” she says, “the 2009 New York City Just Associates coup in Honduras was a real eye-opener. Presentation on Human Rights Work featuring Arcus Foundation Some of my friends seemed to be living in Latin America Working Group Colette Lespinasse, Glenda Muzenda, Susan a bubble—partying, shopping, and going Barnard College National Endowment for Democracy Aryeetey, Andrea Nuila and James Aniyamuzaala. Sponsored by the Undergraduate Human Rights out while the country was in chaos. I can’t Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Open Society Foundations, Latin America Program Program, Columbia University. accept that. You need to try to do something Affairs Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Roundtable Discussion on Development featuring in those situations, and human rights is an Center for Reproductive Rights Rights Bakary Tandia, Susan Aryeetey, Agnes Atim, James instrument for policy changing.” Aniyamuzaala, Najlaa Ahmed, Glenda Muzenda, Columbia University, Columbia Law School, United States Institute for Peace Colette Lespinasse, Andrea Nuila and Azra Center for Gender and Sexuality Law Since the coup in Honduras, Andrea Washington Office on Latin America Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by Institute for has been providing legal assistance to victims Columbia University, Institute of African Studies Policy Studies. Greater Boston Area of political persecution, documenting the Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Story Hour with Human Rights Advocates James aftermath of civil protests, and assessing Health International Network of Crisis Mappers Aniyamuzaala and Andrea Nuila . Sponsored the legality of police activities such as tear- by Grassroots Policy Network, Human Rights Columbia University, New Media Taskforce Speaking Engagements Working Group. bombing raids and arrests—all activities that she performs on top of her regular work with Columbia University, Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence International Human Rights Day Celebration: Support Center Lisa Vives of the Global Information Network speaks with Advocates. women’s organizations. “I see that Honduras Presentation on the Development Group for Alternative Policies Relevance of the needs people who are educated in human Universal Declaration rights,” she says. “I dream that someday the Facing History and Ourselves of Human Rights to the Work of Human Rights world will be better, but I can’t criticize if I Hollaback! don’t participate.” Advocates. Sponsored International Women’s Health Coalition by the Institute for the Study of Human Rights Open Society Foundations, International Women’s Faculty Mentor and the Human Rights Program Working Group, School Carol Vance StoryCorps for International and Public Affairs, Columbia Associate Clinical Professor of Sociomedical United Nations Development Fund for Women Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health University. Wellspring Advisors, LLC Panel Presentation on Work in Classes Human Rights featuring Washington, D.C. Agnes Atim, James History & Reconciliation, School of International Aniyamuzaala, Glenda and Public Affairs Center for Health and Gender Equity Muzenda, Andrea Nuila Center for Justice and International Law 30 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 31

AZRA SMAILKADIC-BRKIC the old man standing there with his cane at speaking engagements and meetings with Columbia Law School, Center for Gender and this mass grave site—completely alone with U.S. policymakers. Azra was a Whitney M. Sexuality Law Carl Wilkens Fellows his pain. My heart was broken at this point Young, Jr. Advocate in the 2010 Human Columbia University, Harriman Institute and that was exactly the moment when I Rights Advocates Program at Columbia Genocide Intervention Network Columbia University, Institute of African Studies understood what my life’s mission must be.” University. Columbia University, New Media Taskforce Washington, D.C. Development Group for Alternative Policies In the USA for nearly three years, Azra Faculty Mentor “I cannot bring the victims of war back was named a Carl Wilkens Fellow with Facing History and Ourselves to life, but I can at least work towards ‘Never the D.C.-based Genocide Intervention Sue Lob International Coalition of Sites of Conscience Again,’” says Azra Smailkadic-Brkic. Network in 2010. She has been raising Adjunct Lecturer Lehman College Library awareness of genocide through book groups, School of Social Work Reconciliation and Culture Cooperative Network As a graduate student in the Safe Horizon master’s program Democracy and Classes Human Rights at the University StoryCorps of Sarajevo in cooperation with the Globalization of Motherhood, United Nations Development Fund for Women University of Bologna, she decided Mailman School of Public Health Wellspring Advisors, LLC to commit herself to raising awareness about genocide. “One History & Reconciliation, School of International and Public Washington, D.C. day, I went with my fellow students Aff airs American Association of University Women on a fi eld trip to visit a mass grave Bosniak American Advisory Council for Bosnia and near the town of Kljuc in Bosnia. Transitional Justice, Columbia Law School Herzegovina I clearly remember that day—even Enough Project though it was more than fi ve years ago. A genocide survivor was there. Networking Fund for Global Human Rights He was an old man—probably more than 80 years old. He shared New York his story with us. He had lost Arcus Foundation almost all his family members in I cannot bring the genocide. When he fi nished Auschwitz Institute for Peace and Reconciliation talking, we walked through the the victims of war mass grave fi eld to pay our respects. Barnard College back to life, but I can at In front of the site there was a bus Cardozo School of Law Program least work towards and a bus driver waiting for us. All in Holocaust and Human ‘Never Again’. of us boarded the bus. I looked Rights Studies through the window and I saw Carnegie Council for Ethics and International Aff airs 32 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 33

Gender Action International Human Rights Day Celebration: BAKARY TANDIA for Equality and Justice, which helped to Presentation on the Relevance of the Universal Inspection Panel, The World Bank Group pressure the dictatorship into a multi-party Declaration of Human Rights to the Work of system. “I grew with the idea,” Tandia states, Institute for Policy Studies Human Rights Advocates. Sponsored by the Case Manager and Policy Advocate “that you truly own what you share, and International Center for Research on Women Institute for the Study of Human Rights and the Human Rights Working Group, School African Services Committee you are what you do for your community International Forum of Solidarity for International and Public Affairs, Columbia and the world. I deeply believe that every National Endowment for Democracy University. USA human being deserves to be treated with Open Society Foundations, Eastern Europe/Former Interview with Radio Glas Bosne i Hercegovine (Voice “In my opinion, it is a moral imperative dignity and respect. Standing for what is Soviet Union Project of Bosnia and Herzegovina). to be involved in human rights work, a right, against what is wrong, is one of my Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Interview with the MA Program in Holocaust and cornerstone of peace and justice in the world,” key guiding principles.” Rights Genocide Studies, The Richard Stockton College says Bakary Tandia. He adds, “Promoting of New Jersey. Society for International Development— human rights is the precondition to assure Tandia’s human rights career has thus Washington, D.C. Interview with students from the Human Rights a viable environment for the human race to seen many achievements, particularly in Clinic, Columbia Law School. United States Institute for Peace thrive in harmony. It is a collective endeavor advocating for health and human rights Interview with students from the Oral History Master requiring the participation of each and every issues of African immigrants to the United United States Holocaust Memorial Museum of Arts Program, Columbia University. person.” States as well as members and communities Speaking Engagements Motherhood in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sponsored of the African Diaspora. He currently works by Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia Tandia’s path to becoming a human as both Case Manager and Policy Advocate Back to Bosnia. Film Screening and Discussion University. at African Services Committee, an NGO with Director Sabina Vajraca, featuring Azra rights advocate stemmed first from a piqued Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by the Balkan Roundtable Discussion on Development featuring curiosity in the impact of criminal justice dedicated to improving the health and self- Social Club, Columbia University. Bakary Tandia, Susan Aryeetey, Agnes Atim, James systems on people’s rights and social justice. sufficiency of the African community in New Aniyamuzaala, Najlaa Ahmed, Glenda Muzenda, York City and beyond. In this role, he has Building Peace: Exploring the Intersections of His education since high school has paralleled Colette Lespinasse, Andrea Nuila and Azra been participating in advocacy and lobbying Militarism and Violence Against Women, Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by Institute for this interest and evolved from criminology Interactive Workshop Presentation. Sponsored Policy Studies. to international crime and justice. “I first trips at the city, state and federal levels. by the United Methodist Women, the Center came in contact with human rights,” he He has been recognized for his significant Statement 710399. Film Screening and Discussion for Women’s Global Leadership and their 16 explains, “in 1989 when the crackdown contributions to human rights by the New Days of Activism Against Gender Violence featuring Azra Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by the Undergraduate Human Rights Program on Black Mauritanians by the dictatorial York Daily News, the New York Amsterdam Campaign and the World Council of Churches News, and The AfrFRican: Our Voices, UN Office. and the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Program on regime resulted in mass killings and mass Race Relations at the Institute for the Study of deportations of black people.” Appalled Our Vision, Our Culture. Yet, while Tandia Family Narratives on War. Sponsored by Iliff School Human Rights, Columbia University. has won numerous awards and widespread of Theology and the Ford Foundation. by the inhumane treatment he witnessed, The Intersection of Human Rights and Development: Tandia began working to document and recognition for his contributions to human Interactive Workshop: Building Peace: Exploring the Voices from the Field, Panel Presentation report human rights violations, educate rights, he affirms, “What really keeps me Intersections of Militarism and Violence against featuring Bakary Tandia, Glenda Muzenda, energized is that I don’t look at human rights Women. Sponsored by the United Methodist the public about human rights, and raise Azra Smailkadic-Brkic and Siarhei Antusevich. advocacy as a job. Rather, I see it as a mission Women and Center for Women’s Global Sponsored by Society for International awareness of the violations he witnessed that enables me to support justice, equality, Leadership, Rutgers University. Development—Washington, D.C. with the clandestine movement, Rally and freedom—the fundamental values to 34 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 35

ensure human dignity for Columbia University, Department of Political Speaking Engagements Science all.” Tandia was a Whitney Challenges of Migration. Sponsored by the M. Young, Jr. Advocate in Columbia University, Heilbrunn Department of Department of Political Science, Columbia the 2010 Human Rights Population and Family University. Advocates Program at Columbia University, Institute of African Studies What Links do the African Diaspora Living in the Columbia University. Columbia University, Mailman School of Public United States Maintain with the Continent? Health Sponsored by Th e African Debate, Radio France International. Faculty Mentor Columbia University, New Media Taskforce Faces of Change: Film Screening and Q & A with Detention Watch Network Jack M. Saul Film Maker Michele Stephenson, featuring Global Information Network Bakary Tandia. Sponsored by the Whitney M. Assistant Professor of Clinical Global Justice Center Young Jr. Program on Race Relations at the Population and Family Institute for the Study of Human Rights and Health Human Rights First, Refugee Protection Program the Undergraduate Human Rights Program, Mailman School of Public International Rescue Committee Columbia University. Health, Columbia University Radio France Internationale Human Rights and Health: Complexity and Diversity: Immigrants’ Access to Health Care as a Basic Th e Development Group for Alternative Policies Classes Human Right. A Panel Discussion with African Public Health and Wellspring Advisors, LLC Human Rights Activists featuring Bakary Tandia. Humanitarian Action, Sponsored by Th e Heilbrunn Department of Mailman School of Public Washington, D.C. Population and Family Health and the Institute Health for the Study of Human Rights, Columbia DC Language Access Coalition University. Human Rights and International Fund for Global Human Rights Organizations, School of International and Public Inspection Panel, Th e World Bank Group Aff airs Institute for Policy Studies What really keeps me Networking National Endowment for Democracy energized is that I don’t National Immigration Forum look at human rights New York City Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human advocacy as a job. Rather, Arcus Foundation Rights I see it as a mission that African Refuge Society for International Development enables me to support justice, Barnard College United States Committee for Refugees and equality, and freedom—the Immigrants Center for Reproductive Rights fundamental values to ensure United States Institute for Peace Columbia Law School, Center human dignity for all. for Gender and Sexuality Law Voice of America 36 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 37

International Human Rights Day Celebration: Roundtable Discussion on Development featuring Presentation on the Relevance of the Universal Bakary Tandia, Susan Aryeetey, Agnes Atim, James Declaration of Human Rights to the Work of Aniyamuzaala, Najlaa Ahmed, Glenda Muzenda, Human Rights Advocates. Sponsored by the Colette Lespinasse, Andrea Nuila and Azra Institute for the Study of Human Rights and Smailkadic-Brkic. Sponsored by Institute for Workshops the Human Rights Working Group, School Policy Studies. for International and Public Affairs, Columbia The Dream Act, Interview on The French Program. University. Sponsored by Voice of America. Interview on The African Show. Sponsored by The Intersection of Human Rights and Development: WKCR-FM (89.9 FM), Columbia University. HRAP organizes a number of skills- the workshop instructors devote to the Voices from the Field, Panel Presentation 3 building workshops to help the Advocates Advocates, which always extends beyond Modern Day Slavery in Mauritania: Mohamed’s featuring Bakary Tandia, Glenda Muzenda, Story. Film Screening and Discussion with Human Azra Smailkadic-Brkic and Siarhei Antusevich. succeed in their advocacy efforts. The class time. Rights Activist Bakary Tandia. Sponsored by Sponsored by Society for International Program deeply appreciates the time that Ana Polanco, the Director of Organizing at AIUSA, the Institute for African Studies, Columbia Development –Washington, D.C. worked with the Advocates on campaign advocacy. University. The New Generation of Activists from the Continent, Panel Presentation on Work in Human Rights Their Vision and The Challenges They Face. Panel featuring Agnes Atim, James Aniyamuzaala, Discussion. Sponsored by Global Information Glenda Muzenda, Andrea Nuila and Bakary Network and the Manhattan Neighborhood Tandia. Sponsored by Mailman School of Public Network. Health, Columbia University. Visions of Independence: Joint Presentation featuring Presentation on Work of African Services Committee. Bakary Tandia and J. Paul Martin. Sponsored by Sponsored by Barnard College. the Human Rights Studies Program, Barnard College. Relief, Reform, Respect: Civic Leaders Stand for Immigrant Families. Sponsored by The New York Bakary (right) and his faculty mentor, Dr. Jack Saul, met at Immigration Coalition. the welcome reception for Advocates in September.

Building Strategic Campaigns, explored how to develop strategic goals and Winning Human Rights Victories interconnect them to message development and strategy, audience analysis, decision Through this interactive workshop, Ana makers identification and campaign M. Polanco, the Director of Organizing at planning. Ana encouraged the Advocates Amnesty International USA, worked with to see themselves as teachers and learners Advocates to experiment and explore how to working together in a collaborative space build a successful campaign. The Advocates to advance the idea of organizing, building 38 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 39

Ethics and Compliance policy development in both the public and private sectors. He presented the Advocates Michael Silverman, Adjunct Associate with his book, Compliance Management for Professor at School of International and Public, Private or Nonprofit Organizations Public Affairs, spoke with the Advocates on (2008), McGraw-Hill, New York, New the broader issues of managing organizations York. to meet their respective compliance and ethical challenges. Michael has held various At HRW, Diederik Lohman and Fred Abrahams offices specializing in strategic planning, shared their expertise with the Advocates program management, compliance and throughout a six-part workshop on Research, Writing and Documentation.

The Advocates attended a multi-part workshop at leadership and ultimately using campaigns AIUSA on how to build a successful campaign. as an effective tool for winning human rights victories. Crisis Mapping Communication Skills Advocates attended a two-part workshop on crisis mapping led by Dean 2009 Advocate Elsadig Elsheikh, Zambrano, Sawako Sonoyama and Jaclyn Senior Research Associate at the Kirwan Carlsen, graduate students and board Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity members of the New Media Task Force at The Ohio State University, presented an at SIPA. The first crisis mapping session interactive workshop on negotiation and provided Advocates with a background on communication skills geared toward human crowdsourcing and the use of technology to rights work. The Advocates worked on respond to humanitarian disasters. During critical aspects of effective communication the second session, Advocates engaged in skills that will help them to acquire better a simulation exercise where they learned to tools to engage their advocacy within and “map” crisis events and compile information beyond their communities. Through mapping retrieved through media monitoring. In real conflict theories, role plays and discussion, time, participating Advocates contributed the Advocates used real-life scenarios drawn to the ongoing effort to map events for the from their own experiences. recent flood relief effort in Pakistan. 40 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 41

Leadership of a research project, interviewing victims Stress Management for Human Rights and witnesses, interviewing perpetrators Professionals William B. Eimicke, the Founding and accomplices, and writing. Director of the Picker Center for Executive A psychiatric social worker and Education at Columbia University’s School StoryCorps consultant on the support of emergency of International and Public Affairs, discussed relief workers, Sheila Platt offered a two- the study of leadership with the Advocates. The Advocates learned about StoryCorps, day workshop on understanding stress, He looked at leadership as it affects a modern day oral history project founded in trauma and renewal from the perspective of individual and organizational performance 2003 to create a platform for people to share human rights workers. Advocates reflected and as a set of skills that can be learned. and preserve their memories. Advocates upon their own experiences and learned Bill offered the Advocates examples from were given the opportunity to record their how to care for themselves while they care his experiences as the Deputy Director of own individual interviews to be archived at for others. Strategic Planning for the Fire Department the American Folklife Center at the Library of New York, Director of Fiscal Studies of Congress. for the New York State Senate, Assistant Since HRW began working with the Advocates years ago, their workshop has been consistently rated by the Budget Director of the City of New York, Advocates as one of the most enriching parts of HRAP. and Deputy Commissioner of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Oral History The Advocates received training in oral history research and methodology from the Azra will incorporate lessons learned from the workshops in her work to raise awareness about Bosnia. Columbia University Oral History Research Office. Fundraising Research, Documentation and Writing With more than a decade of experience At Human Rights Watch, Diederik working in the field of international Lohman, Senior Researcher with the philanthropy and fundraising, Erik Detiger Health and Human Rights Division, and provided the Advocates with an overview Fred Abrahams, Special Advisor with the of concepts and strategies in international Program Office, offered a six-part workshop fundraising. The workshop focused on on Research, Documentation and Writing. fundraising from institutional donors and The workshop covered the conceptualization individuals. 42 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 43

Theatre of the Oppressed Video Advocacy Over a two-day period, Jeremiah Kyle The Advocates travelled to WITNESS Drake of the Education Ministry of The in Brooklyn, where Rose Anderson offered Support Riverside Church in The City of New York a workshop on the effective use of video introduced the Advocates to Theatre of the advocacy as a compliment to traditional Oppressed, a forum of participatory theatre. approaches to human rights advocacy. Advocates were introduced to the three Advocates learned the ways in which stories, main aspects of Theatre of the Oppressed: visual evidence and personal testimony can 4The Institute for the Study of Human The Institute for the Study of Human Forum Theatre, Image Theatre and Invisible be used as part of a human rights advocacy Rights is very grateful to the following Rights is very grateful to the following Theatre in addition to a newly emerging strategy to inform policy. Rose discussed the for their financial support of the 2010 HRAP alumni who kindly interviewed branch, Aesthetics of the Oppressed. vital role that video can play in advocacy Program: candidates for the 2010 HRAP: campaigns without great expense or the Tandia and Andrea at HRW. involvement of video professionals. Arcus Foundation Evalyne Achan 2009 Advocate Columbia University, The Adrian Coman Harriman Institute 2000 Advocate Open Society Foundations, Elsadig Elsheikh International Women’s 2009 Advocate Program Nazibrola Janezashvili Sperry Fund 2009 Advocate Peter Mulbah Stephen Lewis Foundation 2008 Advocate Whitney M. Young, Jr. Memorial Akinyi Ocholla Foundation Endowment 2009 Advocate Florencia Ruiz Anonymous Donor 2009 Advocate 44 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 45

HRAP Administration

5Stephanie V. Grepo (OSCE), the world’s largest regional security organization. Stephanie organized Director, Capacity Building elections and developed multi-ethnic experiential education programs in Kosovo, Stephanie joined ISHR in August 2008. implemented confidence-building projects From 2000 to 2007, she was seconded by the in the former crisis region of Macedonia, U.S. Department of State to the Organization worked on return and integration issues for Security and Co-operation in Europe and led a field office of 10 staff in central Croatia, and served as the youth and education advisor in Serbia. As an international observer for the OSCE Office for Democratic 1996 Advocate Twesigye Jackson Kaguri read excerpts from his recently published book The Price of Stones: Building a Institutions and Human Rights, School for My Village to an audience at Columbia University that included the 2010 Advocates. she observed the election in Bosnia in October 2010. Stephanie earned a master’s degree in human rights from The Fletcher School of Law S tudents streamed out of the office waving their graduation and Diplomacy at Tufts University gowns and cheering.… It was difficult to believe these were the in 2000. Previously, she worked shy, undernourished children who barely reached my knee in as an editor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her 2003. Now they were confident, taller than me, educated, and volunteer experience with resettling ready to move on with their lives…. “We are winners!” they Bosnian refugees in Boston in shouted. I found myself grinning…. We are all winners, I thought. the early 1990s led her to work in Seeing these children succeed was the biggest victory of my life. human rights.

The Advocates, Stephanie, and Tiffany Page 253, The Price of Stones: Building a School for My Village, by Twesigye gathered on the steps of the Riverside Church Jackson Kaguri and Susan Urbanek Linville, Viking Adult, 2010. on the first official day of the 2010 Program. Photo courtesy of Stephanie V. Grepo. 46 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 47

Tiffany Wheatland Tiffany’s contribution to HRAP has volunteer in West Africa at the Buduburam been noted by all involved with the Program, Liberian Refugee Camp in Gomoa District, Coordinator, Human Rights Advocates especially the 2009 and 2010 Advocates who Ghana. She taught English and math to express their deep appreciation to her for her refugee women and children. Tiffany earned Program professionalism, warmth and good will. a B.A. in International Affairs and Political Tiffany joined ISHR in 2009 as an Science from the University of Iowa. In 2009, intern. At that time, she was responsible for Prior to her work at ISHR, Tiffany was she earned a master’s degree in International conducting due diligence on more than 30 a graduate student consultant for UNFPA Affairs from The New School. She is currently finalists for the 2009 HRAP. Based upon through a practicum offered by The New working for the Arcus Foundation. her strong work ethic and collegiality, she School. She and her fellow students was asked to return to ISHR on a part-time developed a review of the outcomes of the Andrew Richardson salaried basis as Program Assistant. In this UNFPA-led Joint Programming Initiative role, Tiffany was responsible for organizing on Violence Against Women and issued Assistant, Human Rights Advocates more than 100 individual and group guidelines on how to coordinate joint meetings in NYC for the nine participants programming on violence against women. Program in the 2009 HRAP. Andrew first joined ISHR as an intern Her interest in socio-economic to assist with research projects, archival development and issues pertaining to In 2010, Tiffany rejoined HRAP on a management, and database administration. refugees and displaced people led her to part-time, salaried basis as HRAP Program Asked to come on board as part-time, salaried Coordinator. In addition staff for HRAP in January 2010, he contributed to organizing networking to the Program’s recent expansion by building opportunities in NYC, Tiffany the HRAP Alumni Network, publicizing also organized the five-day HRAP around the globe, and preparing special networking trip to Washington, projects for the upcoming 25th Anniversary of D.C., which included a total HRAP. He also contributed to the coordination of five group meetings with Tiffany and Andrew could always be counted on to help of the 2010 HRAP including the Washington, the Advocates. organizations including the US D.C. networking trip. Many of the 2010 Photo courtesy of Stephanie V. Grepo. Institute of Peace, the National Advocates expressed their deep appreciation to Endowment for Democracy and Andrew for the thoughtful attention he gave to the Robert F. Kennedy Center them throughout the course of the Program. for Justice and Human Rights from the John C. Whitehead School of and more than 50 individual Andrew received his B.A. in French Diplomacy and International Relations at meetings for the Advocates. and International Studies from Manhattan Seton Hall University. He speaks English, Tiffany thanks Dr. Zelma Henriques of College and is currently completing his M.A. French, and Italian and understands a the John Jay College of Criminal Justice for her long-time support of HRAP. in Diplomacy and International Relations little bit of Russian. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Wheatland. 48 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 49

Institute for the Study of Comments from HRAP’s Partners Human Rights

6The Institute for the Study of Human Rights was established in 1978 at Columbia 7We had a rich and dynamic conversation forward each year to the opportunity to engage University as the Center for the Study of Human Rights. In Spring 2010, Columbia with the Human Rights Advocates at this inspiring group to share their experiences University elevated CSHR to the level of an institute. ISHR is committed to its three StoryCorps, exploring how to put the human and diverse perspectives and expand their own core goals of providing excellent human rights education to Columbia students, fostering voice in human rights. Our discussion about understanding of the world and the important innovative interdisciplinary academic research, and offering its expertise in capacity building the challenges and opportunities of recording work they do in their home countries. to human rights leaders, organizations, and universities around the world. stories to advance human rights brought out the incredible passion, expertise and experiences of Donald L. Cuneo ISHR (then CSHR) was the first academic center in the world to be founded on an the Advocates, whose commitment and integrity President interdisciplinary commitment to the study of human rights. This remains one of our most were so inspiring. The Advocates themselves are International House New York distinctive features. We recognize that human rights research must transcend traditional a testament to the power of the human voice, academic boundaries, departments, and disciplines, reaching out to practitioners so as to and we are excited to hear the stories that may address the ever-increasing complexities of human rights in a globalized world. ISHR’s come of their interest in recording, preserving It is important that the Advocates’ work be emphases on interdisciplinarity, engagement, and globalism draw from and complement and sharing the voices and experiences of people done. They address human wrongs. I applaud the strengths that have long characterized intellectual life at Columbia. in their home communities. their efforts. ISHR Staff Nicki Pombier Berger, Zelma Henriques Coordinator Professor of Law, Police Science, and Irene Atamian, Business Manager StoryCorps’ Every Voice Criminal Justice Administration Elazar Barkan, Executive Director John Jay College of Criminal Justice, The City University of New York Kristina Eberbach, Director, Education Each year International House is a “home Yasmine Ergas, Associate Director away from home” in New York for hundreds of Danielle Goldberg, Coordinator, Peace-building and Rights graduate students, interns and scholars from Stephanie V. Grepo, Director, Capacity Building around the world, including the participants Joe Kirchhoff, Assistant Program Officer in HRAP. The Advocates’ participation in daily life, educational programs and cultural events at David L. Phillips, Director, Peace-building and Rights I-House enriches our global community and the I-House experience for all our members. We look 50 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 51

HRAP is an opportunity to exchange ideas Each year, teaching the Advocates is The Advocates fully engaged with this It has been an honor to mentor two among human rights leaders, reflect on our a valuable learning experience for us. The year’s workshop Exploring Stress, Trauma and amazing Advocates. I hope they have learned as collective organizing experiences and explore Advocates always bring rich background, Resilience in Human Rights Work. They discussed much from me as I’ve learned from them. Their new methods and technologies that can broaden creative insights and lots of energy to our the ins and outs of stress: how to recognize it excitement at this opportunity is infectious. It our ability to engage new audiences and classes. in themselves, their colleagues and partners, its is so important that women working to end improve our human rights impact. Together, many sources in their work, and what methods violence against women have the opportunity Amnesty International staff and the Advocates Diederik Lohman of stress management they might use to sustain to share insights, struggles and successes. explore these possibilities. Columbia’s HRAP Senior Researcher themselves and their organizations for the gives leaders an opportunity to step back, learn Health and Human Rights rigorous work involved. At one point a group Susan Lob new techniques or receive training that will Division, Human Rights Watch in their 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, four generations Lecturer empower them to do the analysis with their of advocacy, held a sensitive conversation on the Columbia University School members and leaders to find solutions in their difficult topic of leadership transition. It was a of Social Work own country context. It’s an amazing learning I’m pleased to say that the visit by the privilege to hear the Advocates of HRAP 2010 opportunity for everyone involved. Advocates has become a welcome annual event express their compassion and support for each here at NED. Often, some Advocates are other as they worked on plans to manage this It is a constant pleasure to meet with Ana M. Polanco already NED partners, and others have become problematic issue. and discuss the issues of compliance and ethics Director of Organizing partners after becoming familiar with us. The with the Human Rights Advocates. They are Amnesty International USA intellectual quality of the Advocates is always Sheila Platt an extraordinary group of individuals whose high, their work impressive, and the discussions MSW passion, intelligence, and dedication to their we have had about democracy, human rights, Director for External Relations, pursuits are a reminder that in a world all and civil society are consistently stimulating. Community and Family Services too often dedicated to material gain there are I hope the Advocates enjoy the International and Consultant on individuals seeking a better benefit. visit here as much as I do. We Humanitarian Staff Support look forward to seeing them Michael G. Silverman again next year. Adjunct Associate Professor Meeting Columbia’s Advocates has been Columbia University School of Dave Peterson an invaluable experience. Their stories of International and Public Affairs Senior Director courage, ingenuity and tenacity in the effort Africa Program, National to win a more just society and a better world Endowment for Democracy are compelling and unforgettable. It has been a privilege to know them.

Lisa Vives In their final evaluations, Advocates Executive Director always report that learning from one another is one of the greatest Global Information Network benefits of HRAP. 52 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2010 Program Report | 53

HRAP is a great program. It provides grass-roots human rights activists with a unique opportunity to deepen their theoretical understanding of human rights and to expand their practical experience, while gaining visibility and exposure internationally. HRAP is also an inspiring space where activists empower one another by sharing their experiences and expertise and by building unbreakable bonds.

Bakary Tandia 2010 Advocate

Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program report content prepared by Stephanie V. Grepo and Tiffany Wheatland. Advocate interviews conducted by Andrew Richardson. All photos except where noted are by Alan Orling. Program report designed by Blue Sky e-Solutions, blueskyesolutions.com. I ISHR BRANDING

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