Alumni Activities on Climate Justice and the Rights of Future Generations

Among all the important causes that bring us together, none is more urgent than the fight for climate justice and the rights of future generations. Our collective efforts in support of climate justice and the rights of future generations began in mid-2023, and we are determined to keep this momentum going.

Read more to know about our progress so far and how you can take part. 

In 2023, the GCA formed a Taskforce comprised of one alumni representative from each region.

Together, we began exploring ways to spearhead activities concerning climate justice and the rights of future generations at the alumni level.

We firmly believe that alumni like you are invaluable resources, and by uniting you and providing the platform to lead such initiatives, we aim not only to advance climate justice and safeguard the rights of future generations but also to empower the alumni community as a whole. These objectives have been our guiding principles throughout.

Meet the GCA Taskforce.

The alumni taskforce includes one alumna/alumnus from each region of the Global Campus Alumni. The alumna/alumnus functions as a focal point for her/his alumni association, and helps facilitate our activities on climate justice and the rights of future generations.

Kai Wangle

Kai Wangle

Global Campus Arab world

I am the coordinator for the ArMA alumni climate justice taskforce. My pursuit of human rights started in 2015 when I volunteered with an NGO helping asylum seekers on the Greek island of Lesvos. After that I returned to university to deepen my academic background, obtaining a Bachelor’s in International Relations from the University of Economics in Prague followed by a Master’s in Human Rights and Democracy form the University of St Joseph in Beirut, as part of which I spent my exchange semester in Basra researching for my thesis on climate-induced migration in Southern Iraq. My main areas of interest are in the role of climate change on human mobility, climate adaptation, the pursuit of climate justice, and the question of climate and disaster displacement in existing international law.

hazem-mizyed

Hazem mizyed

Global Campus Alumni Coordinator

As someone who witnessed a degree of human rights violations, I find utmost meaning in fighting against them. I maintain the belief in the power of the knowledgeable human consensus, and thereafter see matters in terms of communications, especially when it comes to our most common global challenge. I combine my background of psychology with that of human rights to advocate and coordinate for human rights in effective innovative ways.

Prior to working as the GCA’s coordinator, I worked as the regional child rights coordinator at the Global Campus Arab World, and as the coordinator of the Investment Program for Resilience with UNDP in Palestine.

Nuno Oliveira

Nuno Oliveira

Global Campus Caucasus

I started my human rights journey in 2017 by volunteering in Turkey at refugee support. Since then, I have also collaborated with the British Red Cross and various NGOs in the field of humanitarian support. I deepened my academic knowledge with a Post-Graduation in Human Rights at the Faculty of Law of Coimbra, Portugal, and more recently the Master in Human Rights and Democratization at Yerevan State University, Armenia. I wrote my thesis on cyberspace and human rights defenders, and today I work as an expert consultant on cybersecurity and human rights, and as an independent researcher

Angel-Zapata

Angel David Zapata

Global Campus GC Latin America & Caribbean

 I firmly believe in education as a powerful instrument to promote people’s rights. I studied political science in Venezuela in a context of political, economic and social crisis that deepened my interest in the promotion, guarantee and defense of human rights, particularly civil and political rights. In my professional role as legislative researcher in Venezuela, I approached social protest and freedom of speech as areas of interest.

My passion for Human rights and advocacy for freedom of speech led me to move to Buenos Aires in 2017, to continue my education in LATMA. After my masters I had the opportunity to work for organizations such as Human Rights Watch. Since 2020 I have been working as a Master’s tutor at LATMA, which motivates me to continue research, now with an approach on climate justice and the rights of future generations.

I’m able to provide tools to those who have been trained in Human Rights. I am glad to know the importance of this training and high studies and being part of the Human rights movement in my region.

Louise Suamen

Loyz Suamen

Global Campus Asia Pacific

I am a child rights advocate and human rights defender from the Philippines. I have more than a decade of practical and grassroots experience in children’s rights advocacy, working with local NGOs such as the Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights and Save the Children Philippines. I am currently working at Bahay Tuluyan in Manila. I am passionate about children’s access to justice, juvenile justice, accountability for serious child rights violations, and realizing the rights of street children and children affected by the government’s anti-drug campaign.

Davina-Murden

Davina Murden

Global Campus Africa

I am the Alumni Coordinator for the Human Rights and Democratization in Africa Master’s Program (HRDA) at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria. I am an alumna of the HRDA Program from the Class of 2021 and I am now pursuing my doctoral degree at the Centre for Human Rights. Previously I worked as a Political Researcher in Mauritius, focusing on political systems in Africa, more specifically Southern African and Northern African countries. In the past I have also been an Environmental Ambassador for a non-governmental organization in Mauritius, African Network for Policy Research & Advocacy for Sustainability (ANPRAS). My areas of interest are mainly related to human rights, the process of democratization, African politics as well as urbanization.

Penny Papaspyropoulou

Penny Papaspyropoulou

Global Campus Europe

I have been focusing on freedom of expression, migration and education, either as a project manager or policy researcher, while actively participating in the environmental and just transition movements as an activist.

Working between the civil society and the institutions (EU/UN) for over fifteen years renders I am certain that one can achieve significant change just by coming together, sharing stories and reinforcing the human bond around the pursuit of fundamental and commonly accepted goals and values. I’m an alumna of 2007 (EMA) and currently working on a project on artistic freedom and artists’ mobility.

Melina-Kalem

Melina Kalem

Global Campus South East Europe

I am a human rights researcher with a strong focus on environmental and children’s rights. For nearly eight years, I have taught English in secondary and higher education, witnessing the immense potential and growth of young individuals who inspired me to pursue my dreams. This led me to the European Regional Master’s in Democracy and Human Rights program (ERMA), which further solidified my passion for environmental rights.
Outside the classroom, I actively contribute to environmental protection through research projects on climate change, climate justice, energy transition, and youth activism. Working with esteemed organizations like Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU), Heinrich Boell Foundation (HBS), and National Democratic Institute (NDI), I shed light on pressing environmental issues and amplify the voices of affected young people. I am also actively engaged in training programs, volunteer initiatives, and youth networks such as the European Youth Energy Network (EYEN), striving to inspire and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world.

The Alumni Taskforce had its first meeting on 22 May. In mid-July 2023, the 7 representatives of the Alumni Taskforce attended the 3rd edition of the Venice Global State of Human Rights Conference. This event brought together experts from the UN, Council of Europe, EU, Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and Right Livelihood.

It became clear that the climate crisis is deeply linked to geopolitical, economic, and social challenges. Climate action and human rights action must go hand in hand. As the UN Secretary-General emphasized,

“Our world needs climate action on all fronts — everything, everywhere, all at once.”

This is where we, as a global alumni network, see our role.

 

Key Conclusions After the Conference

 
  1. Inspire action and involve young people in the climate crisis discourse. They are the decision-makers of tomorrow, and their innovative thinking can reinvigorate human rights discussions.
  2. “We have to broaden the edges of the human rights field”, stated Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We must challenge ignorance and form strong bonds with civil society to create new norms and reenergize human rights for the planet.
  3. Support the recognition of ecocide as a crime against humanity. Environmental destruction and actions causing forced displacement must be treated as crimes.
  4. Adopt a trustee mindset towards the Earth.
    Learn more about this idea at
    earthtrusteeship.world.
    New laws must reflect our interdependence across disciplines.
  5. Never stop fighting. Despite commitments, economic systems continue “business-as-usual.” Laws exist, but enforcement is weak. As Vitit Muntarbhorn (UN Special Rapporteur on Cambodia) stated, we must prioritize the protection of human rights and build effective monitoring, evaluation, and accountability mechanisms.

As Global Campus Alumni, we commit to being an active force for learning and change.

Our vision: a healthy, sustainable planet where present and future generations live in dignity and where human rights are respected.

Our Commitments

 
  • Strengthen connections among 4000+ alumni to raise awareness about climate justice and future generations. We aim to foster collaboration globally, tapping into our diverse presence in government, NGOs, UN agencies, international organizations, and academia.
  • Mobilize alumni as agents of change, leading impactful actions locally, regionally, and globally. This includes capacity building, knowledge sharing, and engagement with GC experts and Right Livelihood Laureates.
  • Promote alumni contributions from diverse fields (art, music, photography, etc.) in advancing climate justice and future generations’ rights.
    Read the alumni outcome document here.

Global Campus Alumni for Climate Justice and the Rights of Future Generations
Panteion University, Athens — 17–19 April 2024

The Global Campus Alumni (GCA) recently held their largest three-day event in years in Athens, Greece. Building on the momentum from the 2023 Venice conference, the seven-member taskforce launched a year-long alumni programme on climate justice.

Over 50 alumni participated in related initiatives, culminating in this Athens event, hosted by Panteion University. It was a key moment to showcase progress and expand voluntary efforts.

Photo Gallery

Welcome by EMA Director for Panteion University Prof. Daniella Maria Marouda, UNESCO Chair, Human rights democracy and Peace
Event Introduction- Hazem Mizyed, GC Alumni Coordinator
Part of the session Greece in the fight for Climate Justice and Child Rights – Youth Participation_Stories from the field
Part of the HRDA Alumni persentation

Some activities that we worked on in 2024 under the spotlight


We are very thankful to Right Livelihood, for their support in making this happen.