Text by: Samkele Shange, Human Rights and Multiculturalism student, 2023.
The Scholars At Risk (SAR) internship
This was a unique student-led internship that illuminated my experience in a manner that extended my capacity of visualizing the ways that human rights can be practiced, beyond the ambits of theory, through engagement with culture and society. The advocacy work through this internship at the master's program Human Rights and Multiculturalism empowered a vibrant visualization of what human rights can compass. Through a dynamic range of advocacy capacity building through social media, seminars, arts and music. I was fortunate to be awarded with the Student Advocacy Award to attend the European Student Advocacy Days at the University of Trento. The experience taught me that the realization of human rights does not take place in an abyss, instead it requires collaboration, cooperation and solidarity. More importantly, I came across many stories where students successfully lifted up their voices towards liberation of activists.
These experiences along with the critical thought lens of theories on human rights, empowered my voice towards the affirmation that advocacy is not a myth, but a real instrument for change.
Human rights
For many of us, this was an opportunity that positioned us to have a tangible impact through work that holistically had an impact on us. The SAR internship brought us in depth experience of engaging with the discourses of human rights in contexts of practical culture and sharpened our aptitude of tackling real-world applications of academic knowledge. The mission to Geneva was a source of encouragement that despite the challenges to human rights in many parts of the world, we can be a bridge to the realization of human rights for all. An interaction with the different diplomatic bodies inspired a sense of responsibility to critically engage with the art of a contestation of ideas in our democracy to promote and protect social justice. Each of these opportunities through the Masters in Human Rights and Multiculturalism programme have valuably advanced my capacity and confidence as an activist, researcher, and human rights practitioner. As a result of these experiences and knowledge gained, I have been empowered with a sense of courage and greater eagerness to engage and contribute in the human rights dialogue globally.