EMALUMNI Newsletter

Picture, Fionnuala Flynn, Board Member of the EMAlumni Association 2020-2023

Reflection of an EMAlumni on her career paths and how the EMAlumni Association shaped her commitment

It is almost ten years since I began my adventure on the Lido. It is hard to believe that so much time has passed, while at the same time, the decision to move to Venice has provided me with so many opportunities in those ten years, it is hard to believe how much has happened since.

My career started as a primary teacher in Ireland, with little knowledge of the international human rights system, but a definite interest in the area. I worked as a teacher for a few years in two brilliant schools in disadvantaged areas of Dublin city, but the little spark to work in human rights kept burning and when I by chance met someone doing their second semester in Dublin, I decided to apply for EMA. (...)
Since then, I have been fortunate enough to have seen many sides of the human rights and humanitarian system. My path has veered more toward humanitarian assistance and in particular the empowerment of local communities in humanitarian contexts, but the knowledge I gained, and the connections I made as a result of EMA have always steered me in the right direction and served me well in my decisions. I have since worked in humanitarian project management in NGOs, both in Ireland and in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and have been lucky enough to witness the incredible work of communities and organisations in Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Honduras, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and beyond through this work and my work in humanitarian advocacy and policy in Ireland and Brussels. I have seen how the international humanitarian system works both at EU level and now at UN level, in my work as a humanitarian and migration advisor with the Irish department of foreign affairs in Geneva, and I have tried always to highlight and promote the importance of local actors in this multi-layered process. (...)

Work aside, I will always say that the greatest gift EMA has given me is the connections and friends I have made. I have often wondered how a short 6 months could have such an impact on the path of my life and I will always be grateful for that. I still meet with EMA friends several times a year, and I cherish those bonds and memories, as well as the inspiring stories of my friends on their different paths. One of my favourite things about our network is how varied it is and how diverse our post-EMA profiles are; from refugee law, to art and human rights, to psychology, philosophy, education and everything in between.

As a Board Member since 2020, my main role has been to coordinate the yearly career development and wellbeing webinars for students and recent graduates. I enjoyed this role particularly because I can fully remember the uncertainty about looking for jobs after the Master, especially not coming from a related background such as law, political science or international relations. I definitely still feel a hint of this imposter syndrome even now! My aim was to reassure students that there were other paths to the career that they wanted and that sometimes, having to go the long way can be beneficial in figuring out what you really want to do, what you are good at, and where you can make the most difference. Sometimes this is different to what you originally planned.
I know that small group of students each year on Lido will continue to contribute to and shape the human rights and international system, and I look forward to what the next 10 years will bring for EMA and all of us.

To read her full statement, please check on our social media page in the coming days

The EMAlumni Association is organising the EMAlumni Award campaign for 2023

What is the EMAlumni Award?

Since 2019, the EMAlumni Award recognises the work of an Alum who, through their work and/or volunteering activities, has made (or is making) a significant contribution to the advancement of human rights and democratisation in the world.

Watch a short explanatory video on the Award, here and see more about the eligibility criteria and selection process here.

--> To nominate someone, fill the short form here. <--

DO YOU KNOW WHO HAS RECEIVED THE EMAlumni Award in the past?

KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER INFORMATION THIS MONTH...

CLICK ON the button at the end of this box to suggest a candidate that deserves it based on his/her impact on human rights

Penny Papaspyropoulou has been involved in the EMAlumni Association since she graduated in 2007. Very committed to bring EMAlumnis together, she used her expertise in project management and events coordination to bring the EMAlumni Association to the next level. As a Board Member, she was in charge of the newsletter and many additional initiatives that made the EMAlumni Association grows while as a Secretary General, she encouraged everyone participation to have further influenced over the EMAlumni community.

We wanted to give her a special thank you and amazing continuation in her career path. She will be missed but will remain engage with the EMAlumni Association.

Lea (EMA 2021) just got a job as a PhD candidate and research at University of Hamburg
in Germany on human rights-based climate change litigation and the impact of climate movements.
She is also involved in the World’s Youth for Climate Justice Campaign, which aims at seeking an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice on climate change. One of the main goal is to clarify the obligations of states to protect the rights of current and future generations from the adverse effects of climate change. We are looking forward to hearing more about her upcoming research and this initiative.

EMAlumnis Perspectives

This section is brandnew in the newsletter, if you have a topic in mind you would like us to emphasise, reach out please. It is always interesting to share topics that are closed to your heart to initiate discussion/debates with other EMAlumnis.

Dear EMAlumni,

War in Ukraine. Drought in the Horn of Africa. Earthquake in Turkey and Syria. These past months, media coverage largely discussed and analysed the unfolding of these events, often from the perspective of a common topic – migration.

The war in Ukraine has forced 8 million Ukrainians to flee their home and settle in the European Union. In 2022, the unprecedented drought that hit the Horn of Africa, namely the worst in the past 40 years, reminded us that climate change impacts families, who migrate, in search of more favorable living conditions. The recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria is likely to prompt primary or secondary migration flows, of the most vulnerable, to Europe.
There is no denying that migration is becoming a recurrent hot topic, and will be a pressing challenge in the 21^st century. Europe lays at the crossroads of regions typically regarded as emigration regions. According to the 2022 World Migration Report, when international migration is examined, Europe is currently the largest destination, hosting 87 million international migrants (this term being defined as “any person who has changed his or her country of usual residence”). This represents 30.9% of the international migrant population[1].

Migrants have inherent rights – the right to study, work, access decent housing, build a family, express themselves, seek asylum, or vote, free of discrimination. Worldwide, migration flows will further increase – climate change, market globalisation or demographic discrepancies are, among others, factors that will continue to influence or force people to migrate, often permanently. One striking example – By 2050, Africa’s population will double[2], while one in four people in Europe will be over 65[3]. Challenges lie ahead.

The specificity of migration is its intersectionality. It is a deeply complex human phenomenon, which requires the expertise of a wide range of highly skilled professionals. Europe therefore has a duty to train them, at a larger scale than ever. Specialised lawyers, policy makers, researchers, psychologists, interpreters, gender experts, child protection specialists, media reporters, climate experts. Each of them is a piece of the puzzle.

As such, EMA will play a crucial role. EMA taught us that sitting in the Aula Magna next to peers from other academic fields is enriching. It is especially so for the future of migration. Multidisciplinary human rights professionals will shape how Europe adapts to, receives and perceives newcomers. Only, when joining forces, can they create the harmonious European welcoming framework we hope to build.
What about us? EMA graduates also have a role to play. Many of us are migrants, too. Career opportunities, love or friendship got us on the move. As human rights professionals, who trained abroad, lived abroad or served abroad, we have developed networks and abilities to encourage professionals to join efforts. We can be, formally or informally, positive changemakers.

Have you considered working in the field of migration? Do you wish to know more about careers opportunities, daily challenges, and personal fulfillment?
Meet some of us! We are eager to share our experience. Feel free to reach out.

Faithfully yours,

Danaé Coquelet
EMA Graduate 2017
Associate Resettlement Officer, UNHCR Colombia

[1] WMR-2022_0.pdf

[2] Africa’s population will double by 2050 | The Economist

[3] Ageing | United Nations

CAREER DEVELOPMENT WEBINARS

The EMAlumni Wellbeing and Career Webinars started again this last trimester but this year were provided online!

This is a series of online dialogues for human rights practitioners to work healthily, find support, and for those new in the human rights labour market to pick up some tips for their new careers.
This was the third edition of the Wellbeing webinars who are part of the Career Development webinars. Participants included current students and alumni from different cohorts and with different professional backgrounds.

The CV clinic
The Career Day held on May 3rd 2023 was a resounding success, providing valuable insights and guidance to Masterini seeking to advance their professional career into human rights. The virtual event organised by Theodora Ralli (EMA 2014) had an esteemed panel of two other board members: Camille Roux and Filipe Vendrame (EMA 2016) who led the following topics:

The practical tips, insights and networking opportunities offered during the event are expected to have a positive impact on masterinis as they navigate their professional paths after concluding their EMA journey.

Mental Health at Work
The Mental Health at Work has been organised by our wonderful board member Theodora Ralli who invited Dr Aina Travers (EMA 2014) on May 2nd 2023 to present her perspectives on mental health within human rights and humanitarian work.
It allowed alumnis to explore positive coping mechanisms and reflect on our own perspectives and tools to take care of our mental health.

The webinars are organized during the first or second quarter on an annual basis and aim at providing a space for information and exchange on experiences about taking care of mental health while working within the humanitarian and human rights sectors alongside other career developement topics.

EMA Flash Back - Film Festival 2020

Back in 2020, when the online EMA film festival was organised, Lucrecia Cisneros Rincón (EMA 2021) presented her thought-provoking movie "Colateral," which featured Zenaida, a Venezuelan mother who tragically lost her two sons to different State security forces in Caracas, Venezuela. It was a privilege to have Lucrecia actively involved in the film festival's organisation.

Fast forward to the present, Lucrecia's talent has once again taken centre stage. This time, she participated in the IV Pigneto Film Festival, facing the challenge of creating a remarkable short film titled "Invisible." The festival's unique concept demanded that filmmakers work on a secret topic within 144 hours and Lucrecia eagerly embraced the opportunity.

Assigned a group of students from Rome and four actors, Lucrecia embarked on a transformative journey of self-expression. The short film, "Invisible," perfectly aligned with her recent personal experience, prompting her to share her story and shed light on the issue of gender-based violence.

"Invisible" revolves around Anna and Emanuele, a couple whose relationship takes a dark turn during a dinner with friends, leading to a jealousy-fueled attack that triggers a police investigation. With gripping storytelling and emotive performances, Lucrecia brought to life the harrowing experience of invisible wounds endured by countless women.

For Lucrecia, "Invisible" was more than just a film; it became a therapeutic project, a platform to speak out against the silent suffering endured by victims of gender-based violence. Drawing from her personal journey, she crafted the characters and scenes with a cathartic purpose, seeking healing and empowerment through her creative expression.

The dedication and creativity poured into "Invisible" paid off immensely, resonating deeply with both the festival jury and the public. The film received well-deserved recognition, clinching four prestigious awards, including Best Film, Public Award, Best Performance, and Best Original Music.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE YOUR NEW POSITION, A RESEARCH PIECE OR ARTICLE YOU'VE WRITTEN, A NEW PROJECT YOU'VE JUST LAUNCHED ...?

WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Welcome to our new board members, do you want to know more about them?

Please visit our website

CALL FOR FACILITATOR

The annual EMA Skills Building Workshops are in the pipeline and we have the opportunity to engage one alum, as facilitator/workshop coordinator for the Human Rights Impact Assessment Workshop.

Deadline to express your interest: July 20th! Click here

CONVERSATION WITH ALUMNIS
We would like to have more conversations on human rights topics by different EMAlumnis to engage reflections and good practices with the EMAlumnis through the Conversation with Alumnis. Do not hesitate to reach out to Nona with your ideas.
You can write to:
nona@emalumni.org

ADDITIONAL CALL FOR PAPERS OR DRAWINGS OR ART
The EMAlumni association is looking forward to receiving your creative piece of arts, drawings, painting, writings etc.

Are you talented and would like to share a text, an art piece, drawing about any human rights thematic? Do you have a topic in mind that you would like to start sharing in a webinar with other alumnis? Please feel free to reach out to us. Future updates and opportunities will be shared in the next newsletters.
You can write to:
florence@emalumni.org

Elections time

5 new elected members have been appointed as Board Members of the EMAlumni Association.
The report can be found here for further details.

JOBS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Visit the section FORUM - EMAgora on our new website for jobs, internships, trainings and other opportunities etc.

*You will need to register and sign in*

You can also check our linkedin.

Keep an eye out, we're soon going to organise a careers advice webinar

HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP THIS YEAR? You can do so here - find out more about the supportive membership

IDEA BOX

Drop your idea and proposal for a project or other type of collaboration in
the IDEA BOX

We have insta!

@emalumni.association

JOBS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP THIS YEAR? You can do so here - find out more about the supportive membership

GLOBAL CAMPUS ALUMNI