On Monday, February 3, 2025 the Institute for the Study of Human Rights hosted its annual Winter Reception, welcoming the 2024-25 cohort of the Human Rights Advocates Program. Columbia faculty, students, staff, and supporters enjoyed refreshments and good conversation.
The new cohort includes nine advocates working on critical issues of human rights around the world, including LGBTQI+ rights, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, labor rights, disability rights, women's rights, and environmental justice.
Joseph Slaughter, ISHR’s Executive Director, opened the reception by welcoming everyone and sharing some of the work ISHR has been doing since it was established in 1978. ISHR was the first interdisciplinary, academic center of its kind in the world.
Stephanie Grepo, Director of Capacity Building at ISHR, thanked staff, faculty, students, human rights organizations, donors, and HRAP alumni for contributing to the program in various ways over the years. She said the unwavering support underscored the feeling among the program's alumni that HRAP is a family.
Finally, Advocate Kathia Carrillo, from Peru, spoke on behalf of the cohort. She shared their excitement at the opportunity to participate in the program and their hopes for the coming months while they are at Columbia University. She also delighted the attendees with a small musical performance using a “cajon”, an afro Peruvian traditional instrument.
