Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report

Institute for the Study of Columbia University 2011 Program Report | 1

Table of Contents

1 Introduction 1 Introduction

2 The Advocates — In Their Own Words 3 Lana Ackar ...... 3 Nadia Juliana Bazán Londoño...... 6 1 Anyone can do human rights but you must be Ngungua Sangua Gisèle ...... 8 prepared to rise to the challenges knowing that Hasina Khan ...... 10 much more is possible. Athili Anthony Sapriina ...... 12 2011 Advocate John Mwebe, Uganda Rita Mainaly ...... 14 Abu Tunde Irunukhar ...... 16 Colins Imoh ...... 18 Th e 23rd year of the Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) at Columbia Ifeanyi Orazulike ...... 20 University continued the Institute for the Study of Human Rights’s commitment to strengthening the skills, knowledge and networks of proven grassroots human rights Elvis Mbembe Binda ...... 23 leaders—the people, as John observes, who “are prepared to rise to the challenges knowing Huda Shafi g ...... 26 that much more is possible.” Lydia Cherop ...... 28 Th e HRAP curriculum comprises academic coursework, skills-building workshops Salima Namusobya ...... 30 and networking opportunities with the human rights, academic and donor communities, John Mwebe ...... 33 primarily in New York City and Washington, D.C. Th rough a very competitive selection process, 14 human rights advocates were selected from 287 applicants—the highest number 3 Workshops 35 of applications received in the program’s history. Th e 2011 Advocates came from Bosnia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, India (2), Nepal, Nigeria (3), Rwanda, 4 Support 41 Sudan and Uganda (3) to share and deepen their expertise on a number of issues including HIV/AIDS, gender, LGBT rights, the rule of law, migration, sexual and reproductive rights 5 HRAP Administration 42 and transitional justice. HRAP alumni were involved with many facets of the 2011 class. Several HRAP alumni 6 Institute for the Study of Human Rights 44 agreed to interview applicants for the 2011 Program. In addition to interviewing a number

7 Comments from HRAP’s Partners 45 2 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 3

of strong applicants, 2009 Advocate Elsadig Elsheikh returned to Columbia University to lead a very well-received workshop on negotiation and communication. 2010 Advocate Bakary Tandia led a workshop series on how the 2011 Advocates could maximize their time in the program. 2010 Advocates Andrea Nuila and Azra Smailkadic-Brkic and 2009 The Advocates Advocate Florencia Ruiz held individual and group meetings with the 2011 Advocates. In Their Own Words The Advocates traveled to Ellis Island and the State of Liberty during Orientation Week. 2We asked the Advocates to share with and domestic violence. Lana even watched us what inspired them to work in human as her mother’s organization assisted in rights. Following each account are details drafting a law on gender equality in Bosnia. on each Advocate’s experience in the 2011 “I am my mother’s daughter,” she says. “I HRAP. somehow wanted to contribute to what my mother and her colleagues were doing and that is why I studied law.”

Lana grew up with many rights that other girls did not have. She explains, “My sister and I were raised to be allowed to Lana Ackar say what we want. Although my voice was always allowed to be heard, I learned that a Co-President majority of women’s rights are violated on a Pravnik daily basis.” Lana thus confidently pursued Bosnia and Herzegovina the study of human rights, specifically women’s rights.

For Lana Ackar, the inspiration to “I feel that when you do human rights pursue human rights was nurtured in her work, you care—you’re alive. Your senses as a child. After the end of the Bosnian become sharper, and you just feel differently War in 1995, Lana, only 13, noticed her about people. I have learned that people are mother attending meetings in the evenings not as simple as you think they are. Everyone with female lawyers she knew. Soon, Lana has layers of personality and different learned that her mother was starting an needs.” NGO to provide legal assistance to women Lana now works with the NGO Pravnik, in her hometown who faced effects of the which seeks to bring together professionals war, such as dealing with property rights and scholars from Southeastern Europe and 4 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 5

beyond to study issues related to the rule of Arcus Foundation Georgetown University Moderated Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights. law and transitional justice. She hopes that USA Society for International Development Sponsored by International House. the International Summer School Sarajevo Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard United States Institute of Peace Presentation on Legal Framework Combating project that Pravnik has been implementing Kennedy School Gender-Based Violence as Challenge for Balkan World Bank Inspection Panel Masculinity. Sponsored by Harriman Institute, for the last fi ve years will contribute to Center for Economic and Social Rights Columbia University. the advancement of human rights in Speaking Engagements Equality Now Voices from the Field. Sponsored by Society for Southeastern Europe. Journal of Human Rights Practice Challenges in the Field of Human Rights Work. International Development—Washington, D.C. Sponsored by Prof. Andrew Nathan, School Chapter. “Human rights work is not easy,” she Harriman Institute, Columbia University of International and Public Aff airs, Columbia comments. “You cannot do it if you do not Hollaback! University. have support from the closest people in your Human Rights Watch life—family, partner and friends. You may International Center for Transitional Justice be doing great things but you need their Open Society Foundations support when it gets diffi cult. Learning Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to through HRAP that there are so many the people working in the fi eld of human rights Rockefeller Brothers Fund motivates me [because I see] that making Russian Eurasian & East European Studies, the world a better place is possible.” Columbia University United Nations Development Fund for Women Faculty Mentor WITNESS Elazar Barkan Washington, D.C. Professor of International and Public Aff airs Advocacy Project Director of the Human Rights Concentration Bosniak American Advisory Council for Bosnia and I feel that when School of International and Public Aff airs Herzegovina you do human Director, Institute for the Study of Human Rights Center for Development and Population Activities rights work, you Classes Fund for Global Human Rights care—you’re alive. Gender Action Your senses become Globalization of Motherhood, Mailman School of Global Rights Public Health sharper, and you International Center for Research on Women Politics of History and Reconciliation, School of just feel differently National Democratic Institute International and Public Aff airs National Endowment for Democracy about people. Networking Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights New York City School of Advanced International Studies, Johns American Jewish World Service Hopkins 6 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 7

Nadia Juliana Bazán Londoño Nadia says that her mother’s example impactful work of grassroots women’s Clinton Global Initiative Grants Coordinator motivated her to work in human rights. “I organizations by securing fi nancial resources Equal Shot learned about inequalities [when I was] very for women’s rights. Fondo de Acción Urgente de América Latina y el Equality Now young,” she says, “[by] attending political Global Network of Women Peacebuilders Caribe Hispanohablante She admits that in spite of the many meetings at the university where my Human Rights Watch Colombia mother was studying.” In high school, she challenges she faces in her human rights International Center for Transitional Justice joined a group of conscientious objectors to career, including stress and sometimes fear, International Human Rights Funders Group military conscription. Th rough this group she remains “strengthened by hope—the Th ough forced migration, rape and she fi rst facilitated non-violent workshops hope for transforming inequalities, the hope International Women’s Health Coalition domestic violence are part of Colombia’s for young people with the goal of changing for clean water, and the hope for access to Open Society Foundations everyday life, Nadia Juliana Bazán Londoño their mindsets from war and violence to education, among other basic human needs. Social Accountability International maintains that “there is also hope and dialogue and non-violent strategies. Nadia If everyone realizes that everything can be Overbrook Foundation willingness to improve our situation.” then discovered the world of women’s funds shared, then fulfi lling rights will allow us to United Nations Development Fund for Women grow and develop as a nation. I have the sense and found her niche WITNESS in supporting the of the right path and that in collaborating with others, you know you’re not alone and Washington, D.C. can fi nd strength.” Advocacy Project Center for Justice and International Law Faculty Mentor EarthRights International Fund for Global Human Rights I have the Pablo Piccato Global Rights sense of Professor, Department of History Director, Institute of Latin American Studies Human Rights First the right path National Endowment for Democracy and that in Class Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human collaborating Seminar in Sexuality, Gender, Health, and Human Rights with others, Rights, Mailman School of Public Health United States Institute of Peace you know you’re Networking World Bank Inspection Panel not alone and New York City Speaking Engagements can find American Jewish World Service Voices from the Field. Sponsored by Society for strength. Amnesty International USA International Development—Washington, D.C. Chapter. Arcus Foundation Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights. Sponsored by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre International House. Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard Kennedy School 8 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 9

Ngungua Sangua Gisèle Africa. “Human rights,” she says, “means Global Network of Women Peacebuilders Speaking Engagements Hollaback! Coordinator living simply together in diversity. It doesn’t Analyzing the Pre-electoral Situation in DRC and mean imposing on others a certain way of Action Large des Femmes Avocates Human Rights Watch Making the Call for Peace. Sponsored by Voice of life but rather enhancing an exchange of International Center for Transitional Justice America. Democratic Republic of the Congo cultures and customs within international Open Society Foundations Challenges in the Gender Work Field. Sponsored by agreement.” Prof. Eugenia McGill, School of International United Methodist Women and Public Aff airs, Columbia University. Ngungua Sangua Gisèle insists that, WITNESS Faculty Mentor Elections Panel: A Farewell to Arms. Sponsored “Anyone can be a human rights activist. by the Institute of African Studies, Columbia It’s not necessary to be a judge or lawyer.” Washington, D.C. Carole Vance Center for Health and Gender Equality University. Gisele started her career in human rights Associate Clinical Professor of Sociomedical Enough Project Interview on Perspectives of Transitional Justice in as a volunteer at a women’s organization Sciences DRC. Sponsored by Refi k Hodžić, International Fund for Global Human Rights when she was 17. While later working as Mailman School of Public Health Center for Transitional Justice. a journalist, her interest in human rights Gender Action Director, Sexuality and Health Track Leadership and Advocacy Program for Women in intensifi ed. She recalls, “Th e injustice that Georgetown University Law Center Africa. Sponsored by Women’s Law and Public I saw made me want to be a voice for the Classes Global Rights Policy Fellowship Program, Georgetown University. voiceless. I hoped to change the injustice.” Seminar in Sexuality, Gender, Health and Human National Endowment for Democracy Rights, Mailman School of Public Health After completing law school, Gisèle Robert F. Kennedy Center for International Human Rights Law, School of Justice & Human Rights attended a human rights training in International and Public Aff airs Cameroon, an event that would defi ne United States Department of State Transitional Justice, School of Law her future involvement in human rights. United States Institute of Peace “During the conference,” she says, “it Community Language Program–English, Teachers Voice of America was suggested that women lawyers were College Women for Women International needed to address the situation of women. Networking World Bank Inspection Panel So we decided to create a group of women lawyers.” She helped establish the women New York City lawyers association known as Action Large American Jewish World Service des Femmes Avocates (ALFA), where Amnesty International USA The injustice she now serves as coordinator. Th e nine Arcus Foundation that I saw staff members of ALFA provide legal Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard representation and advocacy for women Kennedy School made me aff ected by discrimination and sexual and Clinton Global Initiative want to be a domestic violence. Crisis Action voice for the Equality Now voiceless. Gisèle also hopes to fi ght against the negative clichés and images associated with Global Fund for Women 10 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 11

Hasina Khan about the lessons her career in human rights Faculty Mentor Barnard Columbia Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence has taught her. “It’s not magic that happens Support Center Secretary-General and makes change,” she says. “I expect not Lila Abu-Lughod Clinton Global Initiative Awaaz-e-Niswaan for today, but for tomorrow.” As a testament Joseph L. Buttenwieser Professor of Social Science, Equality Now India to her words, she explains that her nieces Department of Anthropology and Institute for Global Fund for Women Research on Women and Gender Director, are talking openly to her and looking to her Human Rights Watch Center for the Critical Analysis of Social for guidance in their own challenges. Her International Center for Transitional Justice For Hasina Khan, the pursuit of human Diff erence community has also recognized the success WITNESS rights developed from personal experience. she has achieved in her career. “Th ey look Classes As the fourth daughter in a traditional to me now because of my awareness and Washington, D.C. Women and Gender in the Muslim World, conservative family, she explains, “I was the Advocacy Project successes. I continue my work for them Anthropology Department fi rst woman in my family educated and the and other women. I can’t jump in to say the American Jewish World Service fi rst non-believer in compulsory marriage Seminar in Sexuality, Gender, Health and Human traditional family and laws are not correct, Centre for Development and Population Activities for women. Th e traditional family demands Rights, Mailman School of Public Health but I can make the choice and help other Enough Project marriage for women and does not accept a women to make theirs.” Networking non-heterosexual person.” In rejecting these Fund for Global Human Rights norms, she has had to separate herself from New York City Global Rights her family and her community, forcing her to American Jewish World Service Human Rights First fend for herself in order to pursue a higher Amnesty International USA National Endowment for Democracy education and a more free life. Arcus Foundation Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Asia Catalyst Rights Hasina found strength and support in United States Institute of Peace the grassroots women’s rights movement more than 20 years ago, especially at the Speaking Engagements organization Awaaz-e-Niswaan (Voices Th e Rights of Women and Girls in India. Sponsored by of Women). “Th rough Awaaz, I met and American Jewish World Service. saw lots of women with experiences and in Experience in the Field of Human Rights. Sponsored situations similar to as my own.” Since then, by Human Rights Working Group, School of Hasina has been working with women who International and Public Aff airs, Columbia struggle with the traditional and religious University. norms that do not welcome them. Muslim Women and Law. Sponsored by Prof. I expect not for today, Lila Abu-Lughod, Anthropology Department, “People have the freedom to take a but for tomorrow. Columbia University. stand and say that this is my choice,” Hasina Th eoretical and Practical Aspects about Muslims and says. “Being aware but silent is problematic Law. Sponsored by Prof. Lila Abu-Lughod, because the laws will not change.” While Anthropology Department, Columbia University. change has been slow, she readily speaks 12 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 13

Athili Anthony Sapriina about their identity. “I want to expose this,” Arcus Foundation United States Institute of Peace he announces, “but to do so is to risk my Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard World Bank Inspection Panel Executive Member life.” Kennedy School Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights Global Information Network Speaking Engagements India Emboldened by the struggle of the Human Rights Watch Th e Development in the Indigenous Peoples Global Debate with Special Reference to the Indo-Naga Naga and the discrimination he has faced, International Center for Transitional Justice Athili has become an advocate for the rights Peace Process. Sponsored by United Nations International Peace Institute Athili Anthony Sapriina is a member of indigenous peoples. He has been serving Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, United of the Naga, who live in the far northeast with the NGO Naga Peoples Movement Open Society Foundations Nations. of India and in Myanmar’s northwestern for Human Rights since 1995, seeking to Public International Law and Policy Group Empowering Indigenous Voices. Sponsored by United division. In India, where he resides, Athili defend the rights of the Naga to live as a free Skylight Pictures Nations Department of Economic and Social Aff airs. says he is easily recognized as Naga and is people. Adhering to the UN Declaration on United Confederation of Taino People thereby racially abused. “India looks at us Topics on Indigenous People. Sponsored by Prof. Rights of the Indigenous Peoples, which United Nations Headquarters Yasmine Ergas, School of International and [the Naga] not as Indian, but as Chinese,” grants the right of self-determination “is WITNESS Public Aff airs, Columbia University. he explains, and he has struggled with his one of the surest ways to peace,” he affi rms. Washington, D.C. Indo-Naga Peace Process and Domination through identity himself. “My relatives wanted me to “Th is is what I want for the Naga.” Negotiation. Sponsored by Alma College and Academy for Educational Development / FHI 360 join the civil service, but I felt there was no George Mason University. Enough Project future with India,” he says. Faculty Mentor Th e Naga Situation. Sponsored by Rotary Club of Fund for Global Human Rights the Stroudsburgs. Th e home of the Naga people in Elsa Stamatopoulou George Mason University northeast India has been the scene of a long Adjunct Professor, Department of Anthropology, Global Rights internal struggle between India and the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race Human Rights First Naga, who have been seeking independence Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Program, Institute for since the fl ight of the British from India after the Study of Human Rights National Endowment for Democracy World War II. “India’s economic growth is Classes National Museum of the American Indian attacking our existence,” Athili says. “While Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting the guns have fallen silent [for now], rivers Politics of History and Reconciliation, School of Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & are being dammed and forests destroyed in International and Public Aff airs Human Rights the name of security.” New Media–Development Communication, School of International and Public Aff airs Athili has also been acting to combat a Governmentality, Citizenship and Indigenous I want to psychological war against the Naga people. Political Critique, Anthropology Department expose this “Media is used to stifl e the Naga movement,” Networking he explains. Working as a journalist since but to do so 2003, he has also witnessed the infl ux of New York City is to risk my life. non-Naga elements in Naga youth networks American Jewish World Service on Facebook, intended to confuse the youth Amnesty International USA 14 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 15

Rita Mainaly indivisible, women’s rights in Nepal are Center for Reproductive Rights Society for International Development Assistant Professor and Coordinator invisible and need to be made visible. “Th e Clinical Education Department, Columbia Law United States Department of State defective value system in Nepal is the root School Human Rights & Gender Justice Program United States Institute of Peace cause of discrimination against women,” Human Rights Watch World Bank Inspection Panel Kathmandu School of Law she says, adding that there needs to be “zero International Center for Transitional Justice Boston Nepal tolerance” for discrimination and violence International Peace Institute Due Diligence Project, School of Law, Northeastern against women. Th e challenge of achieving NGO Committee on the Status of Women University this, however, is one that Rita knows she Open Society Foundations For Rita Mainaly, human rights and cannot overcome alone. “For human rights,” United Nations Development Fund for Women Speaking Engagements human responsibility are inseparable. “To be she says, “a single person cannot do anything. Protection of Rights of Domestic Workers Under a good citizen,” she says, “you need to act for We must work together to win together.” V-Day the community. My parents taught me that WITNESS International Law. Sponsored by Adhikaar. I can be a role model for my society.” Voices from the Field. Sponsored by Society for Faculty Mentor Washington, D.C. International Development—Washington, D.C. Chapter. As a pro bono lawyer at the Center for Yasmine Ergas Advocacy Project Legal Research and Resource Development, Adjunct Associate Professor of International and Centre for Development and an NGO that helps to address cases of Public Aff airs Population Activities violence against women, Rita is a fi rsthand School of International and Public Aff airs Center for Health and Gender Equality witness to the beating, harassment, Associate Director, Institute for the Study of Earth Rights International traffi cking and violence against women Human Rights that goes unreported in Nepal. In rural Fund for Global Human Rights Nepal especially, where Rita is from, there Classes Global Rights are two forms of discrimination that aff ect Elections and Political Development, School of International Women’s Media women. Th e fi rst, she explains, is gender- International and Public Aff airs Foundation based. Women are discriminated against International Human Rights Law, School of Just Associates simply for being women. Th e second is the International and Public Aff airs National Endowment for Democracy caste hierarchy of Nepal in which women Networking Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice are victimized for being of a certain caste. & Human Rights “Women are considered second-class New York City citizens and have no access to education,” Adhikaar she says. “Th ese facts have encouraged me American Jewish World Service to follow human rights. I know I should do Amnesty International USA something for the women of this country.” We must Arcus Foundation work together to win Describing a mission for her country, Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard she says that while human rights are Kennedy School together. 16 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 17

Abu Tunde Irunukhar for the disease, the importance of human Classes Global Rights rights became even clearer for him. “Only Human Rights Campaign Program Manager Human Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa, Barnard people with an awareness of rights can College Institute of International Education AIDS Alliance in Nigeria assert themselves to procure treatments Health and Health Systems in Low Income International Budget Partnership Nigeria and come back to life in the community,” Countries, Mailman School of Public Health National Endowment for Democracy he says. Tunde has since used human rights Networking Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human to demand services and care and push for Rights “To ask me why I am doing human access to a comprehensive continuum of New York City United States Department of State rights,” Abu Tunde Irunukhar says, “is to ask care, accountability and transparency in the United States Institute of Peace me why I am human. Human rights is about utilization of HIV/AIDS funds; greater AIDS-Free World being human.” Tunde came to understand involvement of people living with HIV; American Jewish World Service World Bank Inspection Panel human rights while working with the and workplace policies for those infected by Arcus Foundation Speaking Engagements HIV/AIDS community in Nigeria, where HIV/AIDS. Th e Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies at the persons living with HIV/AIDS are not CUNY Graduate Center HIV/AIDS & Health Budget Advocacy. Sponsored only stigmatized and rejected from society, by School of International and Public Aff airs, In his own life, meanwhile, human Crisis Action Columbia University. but are seen as less than human on account rights has off ered him a new outlook as Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at the Understanding the Global Health Track. Sponsored of their HIV status. He began challenging well. “I think holistically,” he says, “because CUNY Graduate Center by Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia this view by mobilizing communities human rights come in bunches—you can’t Gay Men’s Health Crisis University. and raising awareness about HIV and by talk about one right without other rights.” Health People strengthening the capacity of persons living Human Rights Watch with and aff ected by HIV/AIDS to obtain Faculty Mentor their rights. “When you provide rights,” he International Center for Transitional Justice explains, “you make people live life to the Peter A. Twyman United Nations Development Programme fullest.” Regional Program Director Wellsprings Advisors International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment WITNESS For Tunde, human rights advocacy Programs Washington, D.C. started during a year of service during which Mailman School of Public Health he provided basic items to orphaned babies ActionAid and prison inmates. He recalls, “Th rough Advocacy Project reaching out to these communities, I was Only people with an Academy for Educational Development / reaching out to humanity and bringing awareness of rights FHI 360 excitement and joy by delivering the most can assert themselves to Centre for Development and Population basic items.” Tunde became involved in Activities advocacy by joining AIDS Alliance in procure treatments and Center for Health and Gender Equality Nigeria in 2003. When some of the people come back to life in Fund for Global Human Rights he worked with died during treatment the community. Funders Concerned about AIDS 18 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 19

Colins Imoh the Peace Club, a project he developed Faculty Mentor New Media–Development Communication, School of International and Public Aff airs Project Director through his organization, Centre for Social Transformation and Human Development. Monisha Bajaj Human Rights and Development Policy, School of Centre for Social Transformation and Human Assistant Professor of Education International and Public Aff airs Development “Th e problem,” Colins says, “is the Department of International and Transcultural Networking Nigeria perception of hopelessness and being Studies, Teachers College powerless. But the knowledge that everyone Classes New York City has human rights overcomes this and Colins Imoh describes the Delta American Jewish World Service teaches people how to actively seek justice.” Human Rights Education in Africa, Teachers as one of the most beautiful landscapes in Amnesty International USA He proclaims, “People have the power to College the world. Unfortunately, the exploitation Arcus Foundation change their situation. Th ey need to believe of oil has polluted the region. He recalls Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard in themselves and be both internally and sailing there, and when touching the water, Kennedy School externally motivated.” feeling oil in his hand. “Oil exploration Center for African Education, Teachers College, Columbia University has destroyed people’s livelihoods and the Looking forward, Colins envisions a environment,” he says. “People are poor and time when oil companies take responsibility Center for Economic and Social Rights have no access to the resources of the region. for the environmental degradation in the CUNY Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society Th ings just need to change.” region, as well as uphold their corporate Global Kids and social responsibility to the communities Hague Appeal for Peace Colins became involved in advocacy where they work. He also looks forward through student organizations while Health People to a peaceful and prosperous Niger Delta completing his university studies. He Human Rights Watch and believes in making the environment realized the importance of collective action International Center for Transitional Justice sustainable to end poverty in the Niger as a response to abuses that corporations International Peace Academy Delta. “You have to believe in what you’re have infl icted on the local communities. International Peace Institute doing to work in human rights,” he says. “Th ose with access to power,” he explains, “Seeing the poor, I believe that with human John Jay College of Criminal Justice “determine who gets resources. Poor rights I can make a diff erence.” Meaningful World communities are stuck with dirty, polluted Open Society Foundations water while workers at the oil companies Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the United are protected by government forces and big Nations corporations who provide their staff with United Nations Children’s Fund bottled water.” He says the resolution lies in Things just United Nations Development Programme human rights. “I can make a change,” he says. need to change. “I need to develop my skills to teach others WITNESS how to access their human rights together Washington, D.C. and break out of the circle of poverty.” Academy for Educational Development / FHI 360 Th is is the goal Colins cites for developing ActionAid 20 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 21

Fund for Global Human Rights Ifeanyi Orazulike explains. “I couldn’t accept this, and I don’t Faculty Mentor Fund for Peace take ‘no’ for an answer.” Ifeanyi now runs Executive Director Global Rights the fi rst and only MSM clinic in Nigeria. Th eodorus Sandfort Research Scientist, HIV Center for Clinical and National Endowment for Democracy International Centre for Advocacy on Rights to As he affi rms proudly, “I want to achieve Health Behavioral Studies Pact results. I want to expand the work I’m doing, Nigeria especially the clinic so that people can have Professor of Clinical Sociomedical Sciences in Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Psychiatry Rights more health access.” He plans to use human rights documentation and litigation cases to Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman Search for Common Ground School of Public Health After losing a corporate job when provide sexual minorities with more access to United States Department of State his boss learned of his sexual orientation, services, particularly since Nigeria considers Class United States Institute of Peace Ifeanyi Orazulike focused his career on homosexuality illegal. Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars the LGTBI movement in Nigeria. He says Seminar in Sexuality, Gender, Health and Human Rights, Mailman School of Public Health World Bank Inspection Panel Gani Fawehinmi, a Nigerian human rights Although he was originally driven to activist, was his inspiration. “I took his quote the LGBTI movement in Nigeria by his Speaking Engagements and hung it on my wall,” Ifeanyi explains. “I own personal experience, he says that now, Challenges in the Field of Human Rights Work. wanted to do like he did and stand up for “the impact and lives I’ve touched through Sponsored by Prof. Andrew Nathan, School what I believe and for other people who feel my work have ignited a passion in me. What of International and Public Aff airs, Columbia the same thing I feel.” I have succeeded to do for others in my University. own struggles motivates me to go further. Environmental and Human Rights in Niger Delta. Only two months after joining the staff By being focused, I have overcome many Sponsored by Prof. Andria Wisler, Georgetown of the International Center for Advocacy on University. challenges. If I stay focused, I can overcome Rights (ICARH), he became the Executive any challenge.” Environmental Rights and Justice in the Niger Delta. Director due to the death of his predecessor. Sponsored by Global Kids. He says, “For me, this is the best job there Moving Forward, Getting to Zero: A Panel Discussion, is. I don’t get paid much, but I am happy. Interactive Brainstorm and Reception with Leaders in the Many Realms of the Fight against HIV/ My pursuit of human rights has been a great AIDS. Sponsored by New York University. challenge, but it has given me the strength to My pursuit of get where I am today as well as to encourage Peace and Human Rights in the Niger Delta Area of human rights has Nigeria. Sponsored by Prof. Kimberly Foulds, others.” Teachers College, Columbia University. been a great challenge, Resource Development and Human Rights. Sponsored As he explains, ICARH’s growth but it has given me the by Prof. Judith Gearhart and Prof. Rainer Braun, and development have fostered other strength to get where I School of International and Public Aff airs, LGTBI organizations in Nigeria as well as Columbia University. community centers for men who have sex am today as well as to Th e Confl ict in the Niger Delta. Sponsored by Sahara with men (MSM) and sexual minorities. encourage others. Reporters. “Before [my organization], people could not talk about their sexuality and come out,” he 22 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 23

Networking Funders Concerned about AIDS Elvis Mbembe Binda I was not considered a citizen with the same Global Rights rights.” President New York City Human Rights Campaign American Jewish World Service During his troubles at the immigration National Endowment for Democracy Initiatives for Peace and Human Rights Arcus Foundation offi ce, Elvis discovered that there were Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rwanda Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice Rights many other people in similar situations and decided to do something about it. Gay Men’s Health Crisis United States Department of State “Together we wrote a letter to the minister Health People “I experienced discrimination on a small United States Institute of Peace of justice denouncing the law,” he recounts. scale within my own family,” he says. “My Human Rights Watch World Bank Inspection Panel Th is advocacy eff ort succeeded as the law Congolese father, who was a polygamist, International Center for Transitional Justice was fi nally changed in 2008 to grant full Speaking Engagements needed to separate from my mother when WITNESS citizenship to children born to at least I was 10 years old simply because having Implementing HIV Programs for MSM in Challenging one parent who was a citizen. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C. Contexts. Sponsored by University of Maryland. a Rwandese wife would not serve his Elvis came to a stark realization: “Th e event Advocacy Project LGBT Health and and political ambitions. I was therefore raised triggered in me the thought that others in Center for Health and Gender Equality South Africa. Sponsored by Queer Health Task by my stepmother, who had her own kids. diff erent situations may be victims of other Fund for Global Human Rights Force, School of Public Health, Columbia In such a situation, it was hard to expect kinds of discrimination, too, so I should do University. equal treatment.” Th e discrimination he human rights advocacy.” Overcoming Homophobia in Africa. Sponsored by experienced as a Rwandan knew no borders. New School, New York City. Simply because his name does not sound Stop Bullying: Ending Violence and Discrimination Rwandese, Elvis always needed to provide on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender details on his family to get services provided Identity. Sponsored by International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission and to Rwandans even though he holds a state- United Nations. issued ID from Rwanda. He was denied Pride and Prejudice: Perspectives on Homophobia a passport by the Rwanda immigration and LGBTQI Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa. offi ce due to his father’s Congolese name. Sponsored by Human Rights Working Group “Th is was the law in 2005,” he explains, “for and Gays and Lesbians in International Aff airs, children born of a father who was a foreigner. School of International and Public Aff airs, Columbia University. Taking Leadership to Address LGBT Human Rights Around the World. Sponsored by Union People may know human rights Th eological Seminary in the City of New York. exist, but change can only Voices from the Field. Sponsored by Society for happen when human rights are International Development—Washington, D.C. Chapter. lived and promoted.

Ifeanyi introduced his mentor, Dr. Theodorus Sandfort, to Nadia at the Welcome Reception. 24 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 25

In 1997, he helped form the Classes Global Information Network Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Human Rights Watch Rights organization, Assez!, which advocated Human Rights Education in Africa, Teachers United States Department of State for the rights of children, especially those College International Center for Transitional Justice United States Institute of Peace experiencing domestic abuse. With other Transitional Justice, School of Law International Peace Institute young people facing similar discrimination United States Agency for International Human Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa, Barnard MacArthur Foundation and exclusion in Rwanda, Elvis co-founded Development College Open Society Foundations a platform called Forum d’Echanges pour la World Bank Inspection Panel Networking United Nations Development Programme Cohésion Sociale to offer all persons facing Speaking Engagements identity issues due to having parents from WITNESS New York City different countries an opportunity to share Washington, D.C. Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms: American Jewish World Service Experience from Gacaca Courts. Sponsored by their frustration and experiences as a way Advocacy Project to find personal relief and mutual support. Amnesty International USA Prof. Francis Ssekandi, School of Law, Columbia Centre for Development and Population Activities University. He also served for three years as the Deputy Arcus Foundation Fund for Global Human Rights Human Rights Field Experience. Sponsored by Coordinator of the Access to Justice and Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard Kennedy School Funders Concerned about AIDS Human Rights Working Group, Columbia Human Rights Education Project at another University. Clinton Global Initiative Gender Action organization that he co-founded, Initiatives Challenges in the Field of Human Rights Work. Global Rights for Peace and Human Rights, before Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at the Sponsored by Prof. Andrew Nathan, School becoming the organization’s President in CUNY Graduate Center National Endowment for Democracy of International and Public Affairs, Columbia August 2011. University. Human Rights in New Constitutions. Sponsored by For Elvis, human rights is not an Rightslink, Columbia University. abstract topic, but a powerful force for Initiatives for Peace and Human Rights: Overview. change in the world. “Human rights are Sponsored by Prof. Kimberly Foulds, Teachers like drugs,” he says. “The more you work in College, Columbia University. it, the more you get addicted. People may Interview on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation. know human rights exist, but change can Sponsored by International Center for only happen when human rights are lived Transitional Justice. and promoted.” Interview on My Organization, HRAP, and Life in New York City. Sponsored by Dr. Lawrence Faculty Mentor Nii Nartey, WKCR Africa Show (89.9 FM), Columbia University. J. Paul Martin Offenders’ Rehabilitation: Lessons from Rwanda’s Adjunct Professor and Director of Human Rights Post-Genocide Criminal Justice System. Sponsored Studies by Dr. Zelma Henriques, John Jay College at the City University of New York. Barnard College Voices from the Field. Sponsored by Society for International Development—Washington, D.C. Elvis contributed to a discussion on transitional justice. Chapter. 26 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 27

Huda Shafi g With her organization, Gesr Center for Clinton Global Initiative United States Department of State Vice President Development, she continues to work toward Crisis Action United States Institute of Peace the promotion of human rights. Gesr Center for Development Global Fund for Women World Bank Inspection Panel Hollaback! Sudan Th ough early in her human rights Boston Human Rights Watch career, Huda already expresses the great My Sister’s Keeper impact that her pursuit of democracy and International Center for Transitional Justice “For me,” says Huda Shafi g, “human Speaking Engagements human rights for her country has had on International Human Rights Funders Group rights are a way of life. I want to promote her. She says, “I’m more understanding, Open Society Foundations Challenges in the Field of Human Rights Work. human rights more in my country and build Sponsored by Prof. Andrew Nathan, School respectful and accepting of others. Human United Nations Development Fund for Women a peaceful country.” Huda, who grew up in of International and Public Aff airs, Columbia rights has made me stronger because it has WITNESS war-torn Sudan, was inspired to work for University. given me a purpose and made me committed human rights by becoming aware of the need Washington, D.C. Two Sudans: For Better or For Worse? Sponsored by to convince others how necessary human the Humanitarian Aff airs Program at School of for human rights in her country. “I lived in Academy for Educational Development / FHI 360 rights are.” International Aff airs, Columbia University. a relatively safe city in Sudan, rarely aff ected Advocacy Project by war, but I knew other cities and parts Women and Gender Situation in Sudan. Sponsored by Faculty Mentor Center for Health and Gender Equality Prof. Eugenia McGill, School of International of Sudan were not like this.” She explains Centre for Development and Population Activities and Public Aff airs, Columbia University. how she had been fortunate to be raised in Elazar Barkan Enough Project a family that supported women’s education, Professor of International and Public Aff airs Fund for Global Human Rights work and mobility explaining that her own Director of the Human Rights Concentration Global Rights situation is not that of most other Sudanese School of International and Public Aff airs women. Human Rights First Director, Institute for the Study of Human Rights National Endowment for Democracy Huda fi rst joined political activists Classes Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & while completing her university studies. “We Human Rights asked for a student union,” she recalls, “but Women and Gender in the Muslim World, Anthropology Department we were faced with arrests and threats. Th is Transitional Justice, School of Law shocked me. It was then that I learned it was Human rights has like that all over the country.” Huda decided Networking made me stronger to help spread the message and increase awareness of human rights among fellow New York City because it has given students to change this oppressive culture. American Jewish World Service me a purpose and During her activism, though, she discovered Amnesty International USA made me committed her special interest in women’s rights. She Arcus Foundation to convince others says, “Gender-based violations of human Barnard Columbia Rape Crisis/Anti-Violence how necessary rights are protected by the law in Sudan. Support Center human rights are. Women have strong intellects but have not Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard been given the chance to prove themselves.” Kennedy School 28 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 29

Lydia Cherop Lydia started an organization called Women Classes Academy for Educational Development / FHI 360 Centre for Development and Population Activities Founder Integrated Initiative for Development that Human Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa, Barnard promotes and protects the rights of rural Women Integrated Initiative for Development College Center for Health and Gender Equality women and girls. Enough Project Uganda Issues in Rural Development, School of International and Public Aff airs Fund for Global Human Rights Lydia continues to look ahead to three goals: reducing poverty among women, Networking Funders Concerned about AIDS Lydia Cherop did not have the realizing the rights of women and educating Gender Action opportunity to spend her childhood in her girls. “I am enlightened and can recognize New York City Global Rights home country, Uganda. “As a girl,” she tells, human rights gaps,” she says, “because I am American Jewish World Service Human Rights Campaign “I lived with my parents in exile in Kenya educated. I can understand human rights, Amnesty International USA National Endowment for Democracy but didn’t know why.” Her parents hid their but most women, unless educated, do not.” Arcus Foundation United States Department of State identities while in exile such that she wasn’t Lydia is aware that her achievements on Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard even aware of their real names at the time. behalf of women through human rights Kennedy School After her father returned to Uganda, entered advocacy have rendered her a respected Equality Now politics and helped Lydia and her family to leader in her community, which continues FeelGood return to Uganda, Lydia says, “I began to to motivate her. “My parents are so proud Global Fund for Women live my real life. I went to school and saw a of me,” she says. “My community honors me Human Rights Watch future.” because I am a better person. Th is drives me International Center for to help them.” Her challenges had not ended, though. Transitional Justice Growing up, Lydia was faced with calls from Faculty Mentor International Peace Institute her grandmother that she be circumcised Global Network of Women and prepare for marriage. “I said no to Pratima Kale Peacebuilders her,” Lydia recounts, and after earning her Adjunct Professor of International and Public Open Society Foundations diploma, “I started working in radio where I Aff airs Th e Hunger Project, 2011 Africa talked about the rights of women and girls School of International and Public Aff airs Prize for Leadership and at the same time raised money for my United Methodist Women university degree.” United Nations Development Fund for Women While Lydia is advancing her education United Nations Development at Uganda Martyrs University and is aware Programme of her rights, others are not as fortunate. The difference between V-Day “Education in human rights opens doors to illiterate and literate women WITNESS other rights,” she says, “but rights are still is a change in suffering. lacking. Th e diff erence between illiterate Washington, D.C. and literate women is a change in suff ering.” Advocacy Project 30 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 31

United States Institute of Peace Salima Namusobya World Bank Inspection Panel Senior Legal Advisor and Grants Manager Speaking Engagements Refugee Law Project, Activism, Visionarism, and Making Change. School of Law, Makerere University I have learned Sponsored by Th e City University of New York. Uganda that the promotion Challenges in the Field of Human Rights Work. Sponsored by Prof. Andrew Nathan, School of human rights requires of International and Public Aff airs, Columbia University. Just before entering law school, Salima continuous advocacy. Experience in the Field of Human Rights—Challenges Namusobya discovered her calling. At the and Success Stories. Sponsored by Human Rights time, her cousin was turned away from an Working Group, School of International and engineering job simply because she was a Public Aff airs, Columbia University. woman. “I felt she had been treated unfairly,” Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights. Sponsored by Salima explains. “She had gone through the International House. full process and had the qualifi cations for Moderated Investing Back: Lessons from Successful Women Leaders. Sponsored by BARAZA Young the job but was turned down for not being African Women’s Leadership Initiative, Barnard a man. Th is story informed my decision to College, Columbia University and the Athena study human rights as one of my elective Center for Leadership Studies. courses, and my undergraduate dissertation Rural Girls: Progress and Challenges in Africa. was specifi cally about discrimination of Sponsored by Working Group on Girls. women in employment.” After earning her law degree, she Of her human rights career, she says, focused on the rights of forced migrants “What I do directly impacts people. Clients while working as a Research Assistant come back to me and say, ‘Th ank you.’ for a member of the Uganda Parliament Th ere is the sense of being useful.” Salima representing one of the constituencies in is currently the Senior Legal Advisor for Northern Uganda—a region that had been Refugee Law Project and affi rms that in her aff ected by armed confl ict since 1986. “People work of legal advocacy of human rights, she don’t know there are standards out there,” can cause an individual case to have an impact she explains, “and that government has an on thousands. She says, “I’m a more positive obligation to protect, respect and fulfi ll person now, having seen change happen. I rights, including socio-economic rights like have learned that the promotion of human food, housing, health and development.” rights requires continuous advocacy. I think that human rights advocates should be more strategic, and make interventions that cause John and Salima worked together at the workshop on legal, policy and social changes that will negotiation and confl ict resolution. impact many people, for example through public interest litigation.” As an example, 32 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 33

she cites a current legal case in which she is Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard John Mwebe organization. Shortly thereafter, he joined Kennedy School involved where her organization is seeking Program Assistant an agriculture organization to advocate for Center for Economic and Social Rights food security and land rights. From there, an interpretation of Ugandan law to consider Uganda Land Alliance qualifying Rwandan refugees as citizens. “If Global Fund for Women he realized the importance of land rights this one case succeeds,” according to Salima, Global Information Networks Uganda and joined the Uganda Land Alliance. “it will rewrite the status of refugee rights Human Rights Watch “Ultimately,” he concludes, “I’m fi ghting for the land rights of poor and vulnerable throughout Uganda.” International Center for Transitional Justice “Once you start human rights work,” women, men, and children. Th e right to land Open Society Foundations says John Mwebe, “you will never stop. You “People should know that human rights stands central to all other rights especially in United Nations Development Programme will keep advocating for one issue after advocacy is not something ‘out there,’ meant the agrarian state that Uganda is—no right another.” John, who has run from shoot- for a specifi c group of individuals,” she says. UN Women stands alone.” outs and rallied in the face of threats from “It is something anybody can do—sign WITNESS landowners violating the rights of others, a petition, call the police, be aware. Each Women’s Refugee Commission John’s pursuit of human rights has also can be championed as the symbol of his own human being has a role to play. What is left an indelible mark on him. Aside from Washington, D.C. statement. “Anyone can do human rights,” important is for everybody to ask themselves the danger in which he has found himself Academy for Educational Development / FHI 360 he says, “but you must be prepared to rise what role they can play. Given where I sit, defending land rights, he explains, “Th ere Enough Project to the challenges knowing that much more I continue to ask myself, how else can I is an attachment developed while doing is possible. Based on all I’ve had to contend contribute? How can I make an impact?” Fund for Global Human Rights human rights work. When someone is Global Rights with in this work, I keep feeling that the evicted from their land and has nothing left, rights of the common man over land can be Faculty Mentor National Endowment for Democracy you feel aff ected too.” upheld.” ORAM International Fred Ssewamala John would like the Ugandan land Oxfam America Associate Professor of Social Work and John began learning about human rights tenure system to undergo a full overhaul to International Aff airs, School of Social Work Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human during his studies at Makerere University, Rights Senior Research Fellow, New American Foundation where he earned a bachelor’s degree in United States Department of State Development Studies. “Th e best way to give Classes United States Institute of Peace back to our society is to take what we learn Transitional Justice, School of Law Women for Women International and apply it,” he says. After graduation, Seminar in Sexuality, Gender, Health and Human World Bank Inspection Panel he co-founded Luwero Youth Integrated Rights, Mailman School of Public Health Speaking Engagements Development Program, a community-based Networking Brown Bag Lunch Discussion with Human Rights New York City Advocates. Sponsored Human Rights Working The best way to give Group, School of International and Public American Jewish World Service Aff airs, Columbia University. back to our society Amnesty International USA Gender, Sexuality, and Human Rights. Sponsored by is to take what we learn Arcus Foundation International House. and apply it. 34 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 35

incorporate the rights of every Ugandan to Oxfam America equal access, ownership and use of land. Most United Nations Development Programme importantly, he wants to see the government Wellspring Advisors realize that land belongs to the people and WITNESS Workshops that the opinion of the people should be sought first. Despite the magnitude of Washington, D.C. achieving such a vision, John is driven by Academy for Educational Development / FHI 360 his faith in human rights to push forward its Advocacy Project implementation. “Every morning,” he says, Enough Project 3HRAP organizes a number of skills- discussed how to develop strategic goals and building workshops to help the Advocates interconnect them to message development “I wake up, and I believe it will get better. I Fund for Global Human Rights succeed in their advocacy efforts. The and strategy, audience analysis, decision love my country, and I can’t give up.” Global Rights Program deeply appreciates the time— makers identification and campaign Faculty Mentor International Center for Research on Women which always goes beyond the scheduled planning. Ana encouraged the Advocates International Law Institute class time—that workshop instructors to see themselves as teachers and learners Francis M. Ssekandi School of Advanced International Studies, Johns devote to the Advocates. working together in a collaborative space Lecturer-in-Law, School of Law Hopkins to advance the idea of organizing, building Building Strategic Campaigns, Winning Human Judge of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal National Endowment for Democracy leadership and ultimately using campaigns Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights Victories as an effective tool for winning human rights Classes Rights Ana M. Polanco, Amnesty International victories. Human Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa, Barnard United States Department of State USA College Effective Presentations United States Institute of Peace Through this interactive workshop, Transitional Justice, School of Law Stephanie V. Grepo, Columbia University World Bank Inspection Panel Ana M. Polanco, the Head of Organizing Networking Speaking Engagements at Amnesty International USA, worked The Advocates practiced how to with the Advocates to explore how to provide concise and effective two-minute Moderated discussion on the film The plight of New York City build a successful campaign. The Advocates presentations on their work. Stephanie V. American Jewish World Service unwelcome development by U.N. Habitat and Dominion Farms for the Affected Communities in Grepo, Capacity Building Director of the Amnesty International USA Kenya. Sponsored by Undergraduate Human Institute for the Study of Human Rights Arcus Foundation Rights Program, Columbia University. at Columbia University, encouraged the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, Harvard Offenders’ Rehabilitation: Lessons from Rwanda’s Advocates to provide constructive feedback Kennedy School Post-Genocide Criminal Justice System. Sponsored to one another. Clinton Global Initiative by Dr. Zelma Henriques, John Jay College at the GROOTS International / Huairou Commission City University of New York. Human Rights Watch Presentation on a Documentary on the Role of International Center for Transitional Justice Transitional Justice in Post-War Northern International Peace Institute Uganda. Sponsored by International Center for Hasina and John shared their ideas at the workshop Transitional Justice. on negotiation and communications. Open Society Foundations 36 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 37

Ethics and Compliance Fundraising Nadia and Huda attended the workshop on transitional justice. Prof. Michael Silverman, School of Erik Detiger, Philantropia Inc. International and Public Affairs, Topics included how gender-based violence Columbia University With more than a decade of experience working in the field of international has come to be defined by the international Michael Silverman, Adjunct Associate philanthropy and fundraising, Erik Detiger community as a war crime, the work of Professor at the School of International and provided the Advocates with an overview women’s groups in post-conflict transitional Public Affairs, spoke with the Advocates on of concepts and strategies in international justice and women in peacekeeping the broader issues of managing organizations fundraising. The workshop focused on missions. to meet their respective compliance and fundraising from institutional donors and ethical challenges. Michael has held various individuals. Human Rights Skills and Advocacy positions specializing in strategic planning, Jo Becker, Human Rights Watch Gender, Conflict and Peace Building program management, compliance and Jo Becker, Advocacy Director for the Jelena Prosevski, Avala Associates, LLC policy development in both the public and Children’s Rights Division at Human Rights private sectors. He presented the Advocates Advocates explored the role of women Watch, frequently represents Human Rights Maximizing Your Time in HRAP with his book, Compliance Management for in conflict and peacebuilding scenarios, Watch before the media, government officials Public, Private or Nonprofit Organizations Bakary Tandia, African Services including examples of both global and and the general public on issues including (2008), McGraw-Hill, New York, New Committee grassroots efforts in conflict resolution. child soldiers, abusive child labor and juvenile York. justice, her primary areas of expertise. In 2010 Advocate Bakary Tandia worked her workshop, Advocates explored broad- with the Advocates over three session to David Tolbert welcomed the Advocates to the workshop at the ICTJ on transitional justice, which Refik Hodzic (right) led. based human rights campaigns, the use of help them to maximize their time in HRAP. the media, and advocacy with UN bodies, He described the U.S. government system the U.S. government and the private sector through the lens of advocacy and presented (corporations). resources available to advocates in the U.S. He also facilitated discussions in which the Interviewing Advocates shared what they learned in the Prof. T.R. Lansner, School of International various courses they attended while in the and Public Affairs, Columbia University Program. Prof. Thomas R. Lansner provided basic Negotiation and Conflict Resolution skills and tips for preparing and presenting Elsadig Elsheikh, The Ohio State positive and proactive media and public University appearances to promote the Advocates’ messages. 2009 Advocate Elsadig Elsheikh, Senior Research Associate at the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity 38 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 39

justice measures. As part of the workshop, he Research, Documentation and Writing. The screened the documentary Justice Requires workshop covered the conceptualization of Outreach, a look into the outreach efforts a research project, interviewing victims and of the International Criminal Tribunal for witnesses, interviewing perpetrators and the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and national accomplices, and writing. courts in affected communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Advocates and Refik Stress, Trauma, and Renewal then analyzed the evolution of outreach in Sheila Platt, Community and Family international courts ranging from the ICTY Services International to the International Criminal Court. A psychiatric social worker and Research, Documentation, and Reporting consultant to the United Nations on the Diederik Lohman and Fred Abrahams, support of emergency relief workers, Sheila 2009 Advocate Elsadig Elsheikh led a workshop on negotiation and communications. Human Rights Watch Platt offered a two-day workshop on understanding stress, trauma and renewal at The Ohio State University, presented an workshop focused on discussions of what Human Rights Watch Senior Researcher from the perspective of human rights interactive workshop on negotiation and oral history is, guiding principles and Diederik Lohman and Special Advisor Fred workers. Advocates reflected upon their conflict resolution geared toward human best practices for conducting oral history Abrahams offered a six-part workshop on own experiences and learned how to care for rights work. The Advocates worked on interviews, and how these compare to themselves while they care for others. critical aspects of effective communication other forms of interviewing. In the second skills that help them to acquire better tools workshop, the Advocates used case studies to HRAP organizes highly interactive workshops that encourage the Advocates to learn from one another. to engage their advocacy within and beyond identify characteristics of good oral history their communities. Through mapping the projects and raise important questions about conflict theories, role plays and discussion, oral history tools and human rights work. the Advocates used real-life scenarios drawn They worked in small groups to outline from their own experiences. their own ideas for projects in their home Oral History communities. Nicole Pombier Berger, StoryCorps Outreach in Transitional Justice A graduate student in the Oral History Refik Hodžić, International Center for Masters of Arts program at Columbia, and Transitional Justice Senior Coordinator in the Community Refik Hodžić, Director of Engagement department at StoryCorps, Communications at the International Nicole Pombier Berger offered a two- Center for Transitional Justice, provided part workshop on using oral history tools the Advocates with an overview of the role to advance human rights work. The first of outreach in implementing transitional 40 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 41

Support

4The Institute for the Study of The Institute for the Study of Human Human Rights is very grateful to the Rights is very grateful to the following following for their financial support of HRAP alumni who kindly interviewed the 2011 Program: candidates for the 2011 HRAP: American Jewish World Service Evalyne Achan, Uganda Arcus Foundation 2009 Advocate Dr. Zelma Henriques, John Jay College of Justice Susan Aryeetey, Ghana Open Society Foundations, Africa Programs 2010 Advocate Elsadig Elsheikh, Sudan/USA Open Society Foundations, International Women’s Program 2009 Advocate Nazibrola Janezashvili, Georgia Chris Michael led the workshop at WITNESS on video Sperry Fund advocacy. 2009 Advocate Video Advocacy Tribal Link Peter Mulbah, Liberia Chris Michael, WITNESS Anonymous Donors Theatre of the Oppressed 2008 Advocate Akinyi Ocholla, Kenya Jeremiah Drake, Riverside Church The Advocates traveled to WITNESS in Brooklyn, where they attended a workshop 2009 Advocate Over two sessions, Jeremiah Kyle on the effective use of video advocacy as a Florencia Ruiz, Mexico Drake of the Education Ministry of The complement to traditional approaches to 2009 Advocate Riverside Church in The City of New York human rights advocacy. Advocates learned introduced the Advocates to Theatre of the the ways in which stories, visual evidence Oppressed, a forum of participatory theatre. and personal testimony can be used as part of Advocates were introduced to the main a human rights advocacy strategy to inform aspects of Theatre of the Oppressed: Forum policy. Training Manager Chris Michael Theatre, Image Theatre and Invisible Theatre discussed the vital role that video can play in 2010 Advocate Bakary Tandia attended the in addition to a newly emerging branch, Welcome Reception. He led a workshop advocacy campaigns without great expense for the Advocates on how they could best Aesthetics of the Oppressed. or the involvement of video professionals. maximize their time in the Program. 42 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 43

School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts Chris Sfetsios University in 2000. Previously, she worked Program Assistant as an editor at the Massachusetts Institute HRAP Administration of Technology. Her volunteer experience In the first half of the 2011 HRAP, with resettling Bosnian refugees in Boston Chris accompanied the Advocates to their in the early 1990s led her to work in human networking meetings in NYC and assisted rights. workshop instructors with logistics. He provided an invaluable service during the 5Stephanie V. Grepo in Kosovo; implemented confidence- Junghwa “Sam” Lee networking trip to Washington, D.C., when Director, Capacity Building building projects in the former crisis region Program Coordinator he used his firsthand knowledge of D.C. to of Macedonia; worked on return and ensure that the Advocates found their way Stephanie joined ISHR in August integration issues and led a field office of During the 2011 HRAP, Sam around the Capitol in a timely and efficient 2008. From 2000 to 2007, she was seconded 10 staff in central Croatia; and served as the coordinated logistics for 15 advocacy manner. Chris is working toward a master’s by the U.S. Department of State to the youth and education advisor in Serbia. As an skill workshops, 35 courses at Columbia degree from the School of International Organization for Security and Co-operation international observer for the OSCE Office University and 130 professional meetings and Public Affairs at Columbia University. in Europe (OSCE), the world’s largest for Democratic Institutions and Human with organizations in New York City and He previously worked for the United States regional security organization. Stephanie Rights, she observed the elections in Bosnia Washington, D.C. Institute of Peace. organized elections and developed multi- in October 2010. Stephanie earned a master’s ethnic experiential education programs degree in human rights from The Fletcher Prior to her work with ISHR, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Education from Seoul National University of Education in 2009 and served as a Research Assistant at Yonsei University’s Graduate School of International Studies coordinating human rights workshops, forums and publications in South Korea. She is currently working on her master’s degree in International Educational Development at Teachers College, Columbia University. After the 2011 HRAP, Sam joined the capacity development program at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. > Junghwa “Sam” Lee attended one of the final workshops of 2011 HRAP.

< During Orientation Week, the Advocates had lunch with past Advocates including 2009 Advocate Florencia Ruiz (top row, 2nd from left) and 2010 Advocates Andrea Nulia and Bakary Tandia (bottom row, 2nd and 3rd from right). Photo courtesy of S. Grepo. 44 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 45

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

6The Institute for the human rights research must transcend traditional academic 7We were delighted to meet the 2011 Advocates who find it difficult to get their message out. Study of Human Rights boundaries, departments, and disciplines, reaching out and their dynamic director Stephanie Grepo. We look forward to more collaboration in was established in 1978 at to practitioners so as to address the ever-increasing Thanks to them all for visiting us at The the years ahead. Keep up the great work! Columbia University as complexities of human rights in a globalized world. ISHR’s Advocacy Project in Washington. We’ve been the Center for the Study of emphases on interdisciplinarity, engagement and globalism allies of HRAP for some years now, and Iain Guest Human Rights. In spring draw from and complement the strengths that have long always try and steer our own partners towards Executive Director 2010, Columbia University characterized intellectual life at Columbia. the program. We know that HRAP gives The Advocacy Project elevated CSHR to the level advocates a unique grounding in advocacy, of an institute. ISHR is ISHR Staff human rights and academic rigor. We also committed to its three core Irene Atamian, Business Manager like the way you select advocates for people Gisele, Nadia and Lydia learned about video advocacy at WITNESS. goals of providing excellent Elazar Barkan, Executive Director, ISHR human rights education to Veronika Burget, Project Director, Alliance of Historical Dialogue Columbia students, fostering and Accountability innovative interdisciplinary Kristina Eberbach, Director, Education academic research and Yasmine Ergas, Associate Director, ISHR offering its expertise in Danielle Goldberg, Program Coordinator, Peace-building and Rights capacity building to human Program rights leaders, organizations Stephanie V. Grepo, Director, Capacity Building and universities around the Matthew Heaphy, Associate Research Scholar, International world. Criminal Court Program Joe Kirchhof, Assistant Program Officer ISHR (then CSHR) Ariella Lang, Program Coordinator was the first academic center J. Paul Martin, Senior Scholar in the world to be founded David L. Phillips, Director, Peace-building and Rights Program on an interdisciplinary Maya Sabatello, Director, Disability Rights in Society Program commitment to the study of Liz Ševčenko, Director, Guantánamo Public Memory Project human rights. This remains Elsa Stamatopoulou, Director, Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Program one of our most distinctive John Washburn, Adjunct Research Scholar, International Criminal features. We recognize that Court Program 46 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 47

The engagement with the Human Rights Each year, we at WITNESS look forward Leading the Gender, Conflict and activists. The Ugandan Advocates presence Advocates Program was one of the highlights to collaborating with the Human Rights Peacebuilding workshop at the Institute at the U.S. Senate award ceremony meant a of my brief time with the ICTJ (International Advocates Program. The depth and breadth for the Study of Human Rights, Columbia lot to Frank, SMUG, and the RFK Center, Center for Transitional Justice). The wealth of experience and expertise of the Advocates University, was exceptionally rewarding. and their support is vital to SMUG both of experience and knowledge these activists ensures we have a rich and engaging The human rights activists who participated home and abroad. Thank you, HRAP! bring to discussions on transitional justice is discussion and training on how video and shaped and enriched the workshop by vast and invaluable. This greatly benefited multimedia can best be used safely and bringing their diverse experiences and Marselha Gonçalves Margerin exchanges on outreach in transitional justice effectively to advance human rights. forward thinking. It was truly a privilege Advocacy Director and made their visit a learning experience for to facilitate a space in which bright minds The Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice me as much as for them. We at ICTJ are proud Chris Michael exchanged ideas on these important topics. & Human Rights (RFK Center) of this new partnership and hope it continues Training Manager with future generations of Human Rights WITNESS Jelena Prosevski Advocates [from Columbia University]. Principal The Advocates truly engaged with our Avala Associates LLC discussions on the challenges and opportunities Refik Hodžić of using oral history to advance human rights Director of Communications The RFK Center is honored to have been work. They raised fundamental questions that Junghwa Lee, 2011 HRAP Coordinator, accompanied should be front and center for anyone working International Center for Transitional Justice Gisele and Lydia on the tour of Ellis Island. included in the Advocates’ 2011 schedule. It is the fourth time we received them to record, preserve, analyze, raise, or otherwise during their visit to Washington, D.C. The engage the voices of those whose human rights HRAP is comprised of such a diverse and have been violated. Is it enough to simply “raise committed group of grassroots advocates, and voices” if this doesn’t effect concrete change? Is an important network to contribute with oral history a tool for advocacy, or is it an act every year. I was excited that this year two of advocacy itself? What are the complications Advocates from Uganda could be present and benefits of having interviewers from at the award ceremony honoring the 2011 the community versus interviewers who are Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award “outsiders”? What are the responsibilities of Laureate of Uganda, Frank Mugisha. Frank those who collect stories to those who tell their is a prominent young advocate for the rights stories? The Advocates’ willingness to ask of sexual minorities in Uganda, and the tough questions, to debate one another and Executive Director of Sexual Minorities to bring their own experiences and expertise Uganda (SMUG), a leading organization to the table made our conversations rich and of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, productive. I know I learned a lot. I am a and intersex (LGBTI) movement in that great admirer of the HRAP Advocates. country. In Uganda, LGBTI organizations operate in a dangerously hostile climate and Nicki Pombier Berger Frank is one of the few openly gay LGBTI Coordinator StoryCorps 48 | Human Rights Advocates Program 2011 Program Report | 49 I ISHR BRANDING

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Program report content prepared by Stephanie V. Grepo. Advocate interviews conducted by Andrew Richardson. All photos except where noted are by Alan Orling. Program report designed by blueskyesolutions.com.