ASIA

Altangerel Choijoo is a citizen of Mongolia. He was born in Arkhangai province, Mongolia on June 22, 1978. He is 26 years old lives with his wife (Myagmarsuren Damdin) and daughter (Narangoo Altangerel) in Ulaanbaatar. He is currently a Lecturer of Philosophy at the Mongolian State University of Education. He received the Master of Philosophy in 2002 and the Bachelor of Social Sciences in 2000.  His research interests include human rights education and political philosophy.

Nargis Pervin is the assistant project officer for the child protection section of UNICEF in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is responsible for the planning, implementation, and management of programs related to empowerment and protection of women and children. She holds both a master's and bachelor's degree in English from Dhaka University. Ms. Pervin recently completed the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship program at the University of Minnesota focusing on human rights of women and children.

Felice Yeban is an Associate Professor at the Philippine Normal University in Manila, Philippines. Her field of interest and expertise is Human Rights Education. She has an MA in Education and an AB in Political Science. She is an advocate of critical theory and critical pedagogy. She has conducted human rights education work for teachers, police, and vulnerable groups both in the Philippines and different parts of the world using Ferreira methodology. Her other academic interests include qualitative research and transformative education.

EUROPE

Audrey Osler is a Professor of Education and the Director of the Centre for Citizenship and Human Rights Education at the University of Leeds (www.leeds.ac.uk/cchre). Audrey has a well-established reputation for research and teaching in three inter-related fields: international and comparative education; education for human rights, equalities and democratic citizenship; children’s rights and student participation. She is currently engaged in three research projects: an EC Framework VI study on Citizenship and Intercultural Learning, with partners in Denmark, Portugal, Spain and the UK; a study of pupil perspectives on school improvement in a city in the English Midlands; and the 2005 British Educational Research Association Academic Review on citizenship education. 

Audrey has extensive experience as a teacher and teacher advisor. Since 1986 she has acted as consultant to the Council of Europe on a range of projects addressing human rights, citizenship, and development education. She has undertaken a number of projects in sub-Saharan Africa, working for a range of organizations, including UNESCO, the Carter Center, and Amnesty International. She is currently the UK director of a British Council HRE link in teacher education and human rights with the University of Western Cape, South Africa. Audrey has also undertaken short periods of work in Japan and Taiwan. In 1999 she was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and served on the International Consensus Panel on Education for Global Citizenship in Contexts of Diversity from 2003-2005 at the University of Washington, Seattle. Among her publications are 16 books, including Girls and Exclusion (winner of the 2003 NASEN/ Times Educational Supplement Academic Book Award), Teachers, Human Rights and Diversity: educating citizens in a multicultural society (2005), Changing Citizenship: democracy and inclusion in education (2005) and Teacher Education and Human Rights (1996).

LATIN AMERICA

Ana María Rodino is an Argentinian-Costa Rican educator and researcher.  She is a Licentiate in Literature and Linguistics by the University of Rosario (Argentina); Master in Linguistics by the University of Costa Rica (Costa Rica), and Master in Education and Educational Doctor from Harvard University (United States of America). Additionally, she is the author of various scientific and didactic publications in the fields of Applied Linguistics, production of educational materials (printed, audio-visual, and electronic), and human rights education. She currently works as Coordinator of the Pedagogical Unit at the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights in San José, Costa Rica, and as a researcher and Senior Professor at the Doctoral Program in Education at the Public Distance University (UNED), Costa Rica.

MIDDLE EAST/ NORTH AFRICA

Kareem Assad is a Palestinian-Arab engineer from Nazareth, Israel.  He has been working in Electronics Engineering and Technology Instruction since 1982. He has served in the positions of Coordinator of Ort Ronson College and lecturer for the past three years.  He has a P.E. in Electrical Engineering from Technion’s Israel Institute of Technology, as well as a B.Tech.Ed. in technology instruction from ORT Institution and an M.A. in Education from Haifa University.  Kareem has a special interest in human rights and human rights education.  He has been active in the realm of human rights since 1999, principally in writing human rights education materials for Arab schools.  He has also worked with the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS).  (Bio written by HRC personnel).

Zahi Azar

Alaa Kaoud received his law degree from Mansourah University, Egypt in 1989. From 1993 to 1999, he worked in the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies, first as researcher and editor of the Ruwaq Arabi Quarterly, and later as executive director. From June 1999 until June 2000 he worked as a consultant for Human Rights Watch, East and North Africa division, and after that he worked as a research fellow at the Human Rights Center of the University of Minnesota Law School (http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/arabic.html). Mr. Kaoud has written several books and articles on international human rights law, human rights in Arab countries, and Islam and human rights.  Mr. Kaoud holds an LL. M., which he obtained from the University of Notre Dame in 2001.

Samiha Peterson is currently the chair of the Sociology-Anthropology Department at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.  She obtained her Ph.D. in Sociology and Anthropology in 1971 at the University of Minnesota.  In addition to being a college professor, she has held a variety of positions in her long and distinguished career, including Special Advisor to the Egyptian Education Minister, Associate Dean for the Faculty of Social and Applied Science at St. Olaf College, Director of Middle East Studies, and Director of Women’s Studies.  Additionally, she has authored numerous books and articles, including over 150 policy position papers and documents on education and development in Egypt. (Bio written by HRC personnel).

AFRICA

Lindi Coetzee is the National Director of Street Law South Africa as well as an award-winning Senior Lecturer at the University of Port Elizabeth.   In addition to these positions, she currently represents the Human Rights Commission on NSB 09 (National Standards Body) for Health Sciences and Social Services (Structure created in terms of the National Qualifications Framework), and she is also the Deputy Chairperson of the NSB09 executive committee and chairperson NSB Subcommittee for Qualifications and Unit Standards.  She obtained her LL. M. from the University of South Africa in 1998 and was admitted to be an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa in 1991.  She is married with one child.  (Bio written by HRC personnel)

Samuel Bosompem is the principal administrative officer for public relations for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice as well as President of Civitas Ghana, a non-governmental organization dedicated to strengthening civic education in Ghana. He holds degrees in Political Science and International Law.  Mr. Bosompem recently completed the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship program at the University of Minnesota focusing on human rights and democracy development.

Ilona Tip is the Senior Advisor for Conflict Management, Democracy and Electoral Education for EISA.  EISA is a Johannesburg, South Africa-based regional election and human rights education organization. Prior to this position, Ilona served as Coordinator for Community Conflict Resolution Service and the Training Director of the Elections and Balloting Project for the Independent Mediation Service of South Africa from 1991 to 1996.  She has received a Higher Primary School Teaching Diploma as well as Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Industrial Sociology from Wits University.  In addition to these roles, Ilona has presented several papers on elections to various international conferences. 

US/CANADA

Dennis N. Banks, Ph. D. is a former public high school teacher who is currently a Professor and Chair of the Secondary Education Department at State University of New York at Oneanta.  He teaches courses for pre-service (and in-service) teachers in methods of teaching secondary social studies, diversity/social justice, and educational foundations.  Additionally, Professor Banks is the Co-chair and a founding member of the New York State Council for the Social Studies Human Rights Committee, as well as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Council for Social Studies.  He is involved in both human rights education and research, and regularly presents at both national and international conferences.  He obtained his Ph. D in Curriculum and Education at the University of Florida.

Kevin Chin is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in McGill University’s Educational Psychology program. He is focusing his research efforts on the field of Human Rights Education (HRE), with a specific emphasis on the relationship between educators’ personal beliefs and professional practices in both formal and non-formal educational contexts. In the fall of 2005, Kevin will be based at the University of Minnesota’s Human Rights Center as a Canada-U.S. Fulbright Student, where he will be conducting a comparative study of pre-service and in-service teachers’ perspectives of HRE. Before returning to academia full-time, Kevin worked as an Education Specialist with the Canadian Human Rights Foundation (CHRF) designing, developing, and evaluating HRE training programs. Kevin holds a Master¹s degree in Educational Technology from Concordia University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from McGill University.

Scott Hirschfeld is the Director of Training and Curriculum for the Anti Defamation League, a leading provider of anti-bias and diversity education training programs and resources.  Before joining the ADL, Scott was Director of Education for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Prior to his work in the non-profit sector, Scott was a classroom teacher and staff developer in the New York City public school system, during which time he earned an M.S. in Elementary Education and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Bank Street College of Education. Scott has been part of the steering committee for Amnesty International USA's Human Rights Education program for the past four years, and is involved in a variety of social justice education organizations.

Rachel Stein-Holmes is currently undertaking a 3 month internship in the New York Office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Her role as an intern includes assisting the Human Rights Officers in various human rights areas, holding UN human rights information sessions with high school students, and assisting the coordinator of Action 2 in the development and implementation of a human rights training program for UN Country Offices. Before coming to OHCHR, Rachel worked for three years at the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in Australia. At the Commission, Rachel was a Research Policy Officer in the Human Rights Unit, as well as Personal Assistant to the President of the Commission. Rachel has a Bachelor of Economics and Social Sciences from the University of Sydney.

Alan Horowitz is the coordinator of the Out for Equity program for the Saint Paul Public Schools. As such, he provides services and support to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students, families, and staff.  Alan is originally from New York where he taught elementary school for eleven years.

Vincenza Nazzari is Director of Education and Director of the International Human Rights Training Program (IHRTP) at the Canadian Human Rights Foundation (CHRF), an international human rights education NGO, based in Montreal, Canada.  Since joining CHRF in March 1995, she has been responsible for planning and developing the curriculum for all CHRF human rights training programs, which include:  Training for NGO Trainers, Human Rights Education in the School System, Training in Human Rights Advocacy and Monitoring, Protection and Promotion of Women’s Human Rights, Protection and Promotion of Children’s Rights, Legal Protection of Women Migrant Workers, Protection of Minority Rights, Creation and Strengthening of Independent National Human Rights Institutions, and Promotion and Protection of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.  Prior to joining the CHRF, she worked as an educator and curriculum designer with the Public Service of Canada.  She also worked as the official languages advisor at the Canadian Space Agency and the Federal Office of Regional Development (Québec).  Vincenza holds an M.A. in Educational Technology from Concordia University, a Joint Honours B.A. in Italian and Spanish from McGill University and a TESL certificate from Concordia University.  She has done graduate studies in Italian literature and holds a Diploma for Teaching Italian from the University for Foreigners in Perugia, Italy.

Betty A. Reardon, Consultant to the TCPEC and Founding Director Emeritus. Betty Reardon is recognized world wide as a leading theorist, and designer of pedagogic materials and processes in peace education. She was the recipient of the special Honourable Mention Award in Paris by UNESCO at the Peace Education Prize Ceremonies in 2001. She was the initiator and the first Academic Coordinator of the Hague Appeal for Peace Global Campaign for Peace Education. Having taught as visiting professor at a wide range of universities in the U.S. and abroad, she has 40 years of experience in the international peace education movement and 25 years in the international movement for the human rights of women. She has served as a consultant to several UN agencies and education organizations and has published widely in the field of peace and human rights education, and women’s issues.

Karen Robinson is the Director of the Human Rights Education Program of Amnesty International USA. She manages the Educators' Network that promotes human rights understanding and education at every level of society. The Human Rights Educators' Network is made up of educator-activists who work together on presentations and exhibits at professional conferences for educators, presentations in schools and universities, workshops at Amnesty International meetings and conferences, and human rights education trainings around the world.  Ms. Robinson also helped develop many teaching guides focusing on integrating various human rights principles and issues across disciplines and for a wide range of audiences.  The materials that she has helped develop are appropriate for schools, adult civic groups, youth organizations, and ESL classes.  Before working with the Human Rights Education program, she served as the Deputy Regional Director for the Mid-Atlantic Region of AIUSA.  She is currently responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of outreach, training, and organizing projects that provide educators with the resources and tools necessary to reach learners in a range of learning environments.  Ms. Robinson is the Chair of the International Human Rights Educators Forum Coordinating Committee of Amnesty International.  Ms Robinson holds degrees in Law and Society, and International Education with a focus on Development.

Kristi Rudelius-Palmer is the Co-director of the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center as well as a human rights educator, activist, and idealist. Kristi has been involved in the field of Human Rights Education (HRE) since 1986 in various capacities. From 1992-99, Kristi worked with community members to found Partners in Human Rights Education, a joint primary and secondary education program of the Human Rights Center and the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights. It also coordinates the National Training of Trainers for Human Rights Education Workshop each summer with the goal of building a human rights movement in this country. Kristi directs the publishing of The Human Rights Education Series, produced by the Human Rights Resource Center with diverse organizational partners. She is currently working with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights to develop and launch This Is My Home: A Minnesota Human Rights Education Experience, a primary and secondary school resource kit for teachers.  Kristi serves on Board of Directors of the Minnesota League of Human Rights Commissions, Just Energy, and the Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers and has been a Human Rights Commissioner for the City of St. Louis Park since 2000.  She has presented at numerous international, national, regional, and local conferences and has designed and taught university, high school, and community courses on human rights education. She earned her B.A. degree in Economics and French from Lawrence University and an M.A. degree in Educational Policy and Administration - International Development from the University of Minnesota.

Jessamyn Waldman has been the Program Associate at the School for Human Rights (SHR) since March 2005.  She is responsible for human rights programming, professional development and support of the School’s operations.  What she enjoys most is the opportunity to work with a remarkable group of 6^th and 9^th graders.  Prior to starting at the SHR, Jessamyn taught at a bilingual (Spanish and English) elementary school in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.  Jessamyn’s commitment to educational reform developed as she studied for her Masters in Public Administration at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, specializing in Immigration Policy and Human Rights.  She completed the MPA in 2004.  Prior to her work at Columbia, Jessamyn worked as a consultant for the United Nations at the United Nations Development Programme Costa Rica.  During her studies, she worked on contract in the Population Division of the United Nations’ Department of Social and Economic Affairs (DESA).  She also spent a year working for the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs as the Youth Landmine Ambassador in Toronto, Ontario.  Jessamyn holds a BA in Latin American Studies and Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia.  During her undergraduate years, she spent a year studying abroad in Santiago, Chile, and worked for four months teaching human rights and health education outside of Guatemala City. She grew up in Toronto and currently lives in Brooklyn. 

Kimberly Walsh is the Human Rights Fellowship and Education Coordinator for the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center since August 2004. She is responsible for programming, professional development, coordination and correspondence with Humphrey and Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellows, and general support in the office. Ms. Walsh was awarded an Upper Midwest International Human Rights Fellowship Award in 2002 to work with Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights in Seoul, South Korea for ten months where she initiated a Human Rights Education Seminar and a University Awareness Program (UAP) concerning the plight of North Korean refugees and defectors. She holds a B.A. in International Relations and Latin American Studies from the University of Minnesota. During her undergraduate years, she spent 6 months in Guatemala working with Highland Support Project that administered health care to indigenous Mam and Quiche groups in 2 northwestern states. In her free time, she is an avid bike commuter, community organizer, emerging spoken work artist, and gardener.

SUPPORTING COLLEAGUES

Kelli Doss has worked in youth programming since 1994. While working as a law Clerk for Hennepin County District Court, she made the decision to leave the field of law and focus her talents on working with disenfranchised youth and families.  Her past employment with the Children's Defense Fund-MN and the Harlem Community Justice Center have afforded her the opportunity to create, implement, and manage community-based projects, as well as to create curricula and build community partnerships.  Kelli has also been a special consultant with the International Leadership Institute, a non profit organization that addresses international human rights issues and legal reform, since it's inception in 1998. Kelli is currently employed with Youth Frontiers, Inc. in the capacity of the Manager of Urban and Make A Stand Products.  Her responsibilities include the daily coordination and continued expansion of youth programming that focuses on youth leadership and cultural competency.

Elena Ippoliti

Felisa Tibbitts is director and co-founder of Human Rights Education Associates (HREA), an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to education and learning about human rights (http://www.hrea.org). In the first half of the 1990s, she worked with Ministries of Education and human rights NGOs in developing new human rights curricula in the post-totalitarian societies of Central and Eastern Europe. Ms. Tibbitts has helped to support local capacity building through national programs in Romania, Albania, Estonia, Ukraine, Croatia, Morocco, and China. Ms. Tibbitts has also developed several practical manuals related to program development and evaluation which can be found on the HREA website.  Ms. Tibbitts was trained in educational research, planning, and policy through Master’s programs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she is currently a doctoral candidate. Ms. Tibbitts is active in training, writing, and policy development in the human rights education field. Through her organization HREA, NGOs, governmental and inter--governmental organizations are supported in all regions.