We are pleased to announce the availability of our latest installment of podcast episodes in Human Rights Education NOW! Episodes 48 & 49 feature conversations with the HRE USA Edmonds Fellows. The HRE USA Edmonds Fellows are emerging leaders dedicated to advancing human rights education through impactful projects, mentorship, and advocacy across diverse communities.
Kara Anderson, a senior at Albion College, is majoring in Political Science and English with a concentration in law, justice, and society. She serves as president of the Student Senate and co-founded the Albion College Human Rights Lab. Kara was a 2023 Edmonds Fellow and returned in 2024 as a Fellow Supervisor, leading the Training As Action Series. She plans to attend law school to advance her human rights advocacy through a legal career.
Areianaz (Ara) Eghbali, a senior at UC Berkeley majoring in Psychology with minors in Public Policy and Journalism, serves as Gender & Sexuality Retention Director at the university’s multicultural center and as a mental health counselor. Ara also researches mental health practices in K-12 schools and, during her 2024 Edmonds Fellowship, led engagement and fundraising initiatives for HRE USA. Her experiences have deepened her commitment to advancing human rights through education and policy reform.
Hallie McRae, a UC Berkeley graduate in Political Science, Human Rights, and Public Policy, began her human rights journey with the Human Rights Watch Student Task Force. An alumna of the Edmonds Fellowship and Mentor Program, she now serves on HRE USA’s Steering Committee. While preparing for a career in human rights law, Hallie works as a preschool teacher in Los Angeles, integrating advocacy into her educational practice.
Carly Sandstrom is the Grant Administrator for Great Lakes Recovery Centers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She earned an M.A. in Human Rights from Columbia University and a B.A. in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State University. Her work focuses on human rights violations against women and children during armed conflict. As a 2024 Edmonds Fellow, she was drawn to HRE USA’s mission of advancing human rights through education and was awarded a scholarship by the Universities Network for Children in Armed Conflict in honor of Ambassador Francesca Tardioli.
Emma Tolliver, a J.D. candidate at the University of Washington School of Law, graduated summa cum laude from UC Davis in 2023. After serving an AmeriCorps term as a youth mentor in California’s Central Valley, she joined the Edmonds Fellowship in 2024, focusing on youth justice, trauma-informed services, and freedom from violence. Emma aims to provide legal aid to survivors of violence through her advocacy.
Episode 48: HRE USA Edmonds Fellows, Part One
In Episode 48, the HRE USA Edmonds Fellows share their journeys into human rights and human rights education, reflecting on the early experiences that sparked their passion for social justice. They discuss the mixed evidence of human rights being studied in K-12 education and their initial involvement with both human rights education and the Edmonds Fellows Program. The conversation delves into the impactful projects they have undertaken through the fellowship, ranging from children’s rights advocacy to initiatives designed to strengthen connections between various human rights programs. The fellows also highlight how their related experiences in activism and education have influenced and deepened their work within the program. Closing with reflections on the importance of fostering leadership and collaboration across human rights initiatives, this episode emphasizes the vital role of mentorship, youth engagement, and education in advancing human rights advocacy.
Topics discussed:
- Early experiences that sparked interest in human rights and social justice.
- Mixed evidence of human rights being studied in K-12 education.
- Initial involvement with human rights education and the Edmonds Fellows Program.
- Projects undertaken through the fellowship, including children’s rights advocacy and strengthening connections across human rights programs.
- The influence of activism and educational experiences on their fellowship work.
- The importance of fostering leadership and collaboration in human rights initiatives.
- Mentorship, youth engagement, and education as key strategies for advancing human rights advocacy.
Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.
Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE.
Episode 49: HRE USA Edmonds Fellows, Part Two
In episode 49, the Edmonds Fellows discuss their work and vision for advancing human rights education (HRE) in the U.S., reflecting on obstacles such as funding shortfalls, information silos, and cost-driven approaches that fail to prioritize civic responsibilities. They emphasize the importance of countering misinformation and the weaponization of human rights through the use of accurate, informed language. The conversation explores strategies to empower youth, including integrating HRE across K-12 curricula, expanding teacher training, and fostering leadership through youth-adult mentorships and partnerships with community organizations. The fellows underscore the need to connect local and global perspectives on human rights, engaging young people as both learners and advocates. They also share how figures like Samantha Power, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Malala Yousafzai have influenced their work, drawing inspiration from quotes by leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Looking ahead, they highlight initiatives aimed at strengthening mentorship programs, expanding outreach to underserved areas, and creating more leadership opportunities to support the next generation of human rights advocates.
Topics discussed:
- Obstacles to advancing HRE, including funding shortfalls and information silos.
- Countering misinformation and weaponization of human rights with accurate language.
- Empowering youth through K-12 integration and teacher training.
- Fostering leadership via youth mentorships and community partnerships.
- Influential figures shaping their work, including Samantha Power and Malala Yousafzai.
- Future initiatives to expand mentorships, outreach, and youth leadership opportunities.
Full topic listing available for PDF download HERE.
Listen on our Buzzsprout podcast website HERE
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