News

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

When I reflect on the time I spent at Columbia University as part of the 2022-23 Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP), I can confidently say it was one of the most transformative and empowering periods of my professional life. My time in New York City was not only intellectually enriching, but it also provided me with practical skills and personal growth that continue to shape my work as a human rights lawyer and civic space defender in Georgia.

Tuesday, July 15, 2025

Ariella Kissin, who is pursuing the MA in Human Rights Studies, is one of three students participating in ISHR’s Student Volunteer Program (SVP) this summer. SVP pairs Columbia students with volunteer opportunities at HRAP alumni-led organizations. Since 2011, more than 25 students have gained field experience through SVP in countries including Kenya, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025
ISHR received the following update from 2022-23 Advocate Antonia Moreira of Brazil: “I am presiding over the Deliberative Council of Transmoras, working on strengthening the organization. Transmoras is launching a pilot project funded by the Ministry of Human Rights of Brazil, which aims to establish public policy for the social inclusion of LGBTI+ individuals.
Thursday, May 29, 2025

On May 5, ISHR hosted a farewell luncheon for the 2024-25 Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) cohort at Faculty House. The chair of the ISHR faculty advisory board, Prof. Andrew J. Nathan, presented the advocates with their Certificates of Participation. Selected by the cohort to speak on their behalf, Connex Khomba spoke about how they were going to apply what they had gained from HRAP to their work. CU Law Professor Suzanne Goldberg who served as a faculty mentor to the cohort highlighted how the advocates enriched academic life at Columbia. Prof.

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

2014 Advocate Esther Adhiambo, the Executive Director of the Initiative for Equality and Non-Discrimination in Kenya, will be sharing critical insights on the state of LGBTQ+ rights in Africa at the WorldPride 2025 Human Rights Conference in Washington, D.C.

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