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(image) Dr. Roger Luhiriri, right, spoke on “Women’s Health in Post-War Democratic Republic of Congo” at the Global Information Network on October 23, 2008.
Photo © 2008, Tequila Minsky.

HRAP News

Proven Human Rights Advocates to Highlight the Impacts of Globalization in Marginalized Communities
August 15, 2008

NEW YORK, New York – Six leaders in human rights advocacy will arrive in New York City on Monday, August 18th, marking the beginning of the 20th annual Human Rights Advocates Program facilitated by the Center for the Study of Human Rights (CSHR) at Columbia University.  These remarkable defenders focus on contentious issues including migrant labor in the United States and Indonesia, sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, HIV/AIDS discrimination in Mexico, and economic exploitation in India and Liberia.  The Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) is one of the few programs in the city that works to strengthen local human rights leaders predominately from the Global South while integrating them into the academic community at Columbia University and connecting them to an international network of influence. 

These human rights leaders, who work in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, India, Liberia, Mexico, and the United States, defend the rights and voices of communities with the least access to decision-making processes.  In the midst of a rapidly globalizing world, these advocates work assiduously to expose and address the exploitation and suffering of the local populations in their home regions. 

All six advocates will be in residence at Columbia University from mid-August through mid-December and during that time they will engage in an intensive program designed to build advocacy skills, knowledge, and networks, while simultaneously advocating for their respective causes to individuals, organizations, government bodies, and the general public.  HRAP has an international reputation for building the capacity of proven grassroots leaders who are committed to bringing these skills back to their home countries and continue their work in human rights. Advocates will engage with the United Nations, international financial institutions, relevant NGOs, government agencies, and academic institutions in order to achieve a mutually beneficial exchange of ideas and knowledge with individuals of influence in their respective fields. 

 “We are happy to welcome this year’s Advocates to Columbia. Their experience and knowledge will enrich our community and it is our challenge to reciprocate in kind and ensure that the program continues to enhance their strengths and contributes to their knowledge, so they are better equipped to pursue their goals of advocating for human rights,” said Elazar Barkan, Co-Director of CSHR.

Advocates will return to their home countries in mid-December to continue their work in the communities they defend. 

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