2004 Advocate Lilian Keene Mugerwa is an Ashoka Fellow, the founder and former executive director of Platform for Labour Action, and the managing partner of Kleeva Associated Advocates, a law firm in Uganda. She shared the following reflection about her experience in the Human Rights Advocates Program.
In 2004, I had the privilege of participating in the Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP) at Columbia University's Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR). Having co-founded Platform for Labour Action in 2000, I was eager to join a program that would help me build the organization and deepen my understanding of human rights frameworks. The program proved to be a transformative experience, bringing together human rights defenders from all over the world for academic learning, networking, and advocacy development. I remember my fellow HRAP colleagues Innih Archibong from Nigeria and Sukumara from India.
My arrival in New York in August 2004 was both exhilarating and overwhelming. It was my first time in the city, and the summer heat was intense, but I was warmly welcomed by volunteers from the program who helped me settle in. I was housed at the International House (I-House), a vibrant residential community where I had a heartwarming and unexpected moment early on. I met a fellow Ugandan from Lira who was pursuing his master’s degree at Columbia. This connection made settling in even more meaningful and reminded me of the global reach of our shared mission. I also enjoyed the Sunday Suppers, which brought together the community and alumni. I also had the opportunity to watch the launch of the film Hotel Rwanda in New York.
One of the most enriching parts of HRAP was the opportunity to network with leading global human rights organizations. I met with groups like Workers Awaz and international trade union leaders, and I attended a conference on corporate social responsibility. The program also included site visits to foundations in New York and Washington, D.C., which was crucial for fundraising. Encounters with organizations like the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) and the Fund for Global Human Rights (FGHR) led to long-term funding partnerships for my organization, Platform for Labour Action, which is focused on promoting and protecting the rights of vulnerable and marginalized workers through empowerment of communities and individuals in Uganda.
The advocacy training provided me with invaluable tools for strategic planning, including problem analysis and stakeholder mapping. I've since used these skills to design and implement targeted campaigns in Uganda on issues like social security, minimum wage advocacy, and child labor prevention.
The academic component was also deeply impactful. I chose to take a full semester course on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), a topic I feel is critically under-addressed in many African contexts. The course gave me a comprehensive understanding of the historical and structural barriers to these rights, and I also had the opportunity to present my work on defending labor rights in Uganda in a brown bag session on campus. The combination of academic rigor and peer learning created a truly transformative experience.
Reflecting on my experience, I believe the Human Rights Advocates Program is a vital platform for nurturing the next generation of human rights leaders. I am deeply appreciative of its holistic approach, which gave me the tools, networks, and confidence to drive systemic change. Engaging with fellow advocates from diverse regions reinforced the universality of human rights struggles and the importance of cross-border collaboration.
Based on my experience, I recommend that future cohorts integrate short-term placements with human rights organizations in New York and strengthen the alumni network and mentorship programs. It is also important to continue promoting the inclusion of marginalized voices, particularly in areas like informal labor and sexual and reproductive health rights. I believe that funding agencies should continue to support this great work, as the program brings together advocates who would not otherwise have the resources to attend such training, and it has an impact on a global scale. I am indebted to Dr. Paul Martin, the program’s founder, and Margaret Ladner, who led HRAP at the time, for making my participation possible. The program's continued evolution will ensure advocates are empowered to shape a more just and equitable future.
