S2.2 - To hope for the better

06/12/23 • 30 min

The need to stress achievements (big and small)

In conversation with Mary Lawlor

In the face of the current backlash against human rights, we want to reflect on how to hope for the better and what we can learn from the need to stress achievements in our continuous human rights struggles. We discuss some key questions with Mary Lawlor*: what evidence is there that human rights work? How do we talk about hope without focussing on threats (when human rights defenders are under attack, for instance)? How to better recognise positive achievements?

Ms. Mary Lawlor is the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders since 1 May 2020. She was born and educated in Ireland and is an Adjunct Professor of Business and Human Rights. She was the founder and director of Front Line Defenders (2001-2016) and Director of the Irish Section of Amnesty International (1988 to 2000). Full bio here.

The need to stress achievements (big and small)

In conversation with Mary Lawlor

Previous Episode

S2.1 - To hope or not to hope?

The importance of positive human rights narratives

In conversation with George Ulrich

In the first GC Podcast Series, we widely explained why talking with human rights sceptics is not only relevant but also conducive to increased motivation for further action. Still, an important question remained: how to improve a meaningful human rights discourse? George Ulrich* shares his thoughts and answers additional questions: how do we prompt positive and engaged reactions to human rights issues? Is there a way to bring a positive vision of human rights to people’s everyday lives? * Prof. George Ulrich is the Academic Director of the Global Campus of Human Rights. Among his main research interests are the history and philosophy of human rights, human rights diplomacy, human rights and development cooperation, health and human rights. A key focus of his teaching is to equip students to effectively engage with expressions of human rights scepticism. He was the host of the first GC Podcast Series. Full bio here.

Next Episode

S2.3 - To hope for the human

The power of telling a human story In conversation with Andrew Leon Hanna

We want to continue our journey to better understand what it means to hope for the human, and to do so we will talk about the power of telling a human story. Our guest Andrew Leon Hanna* will answer some important questions: why is it important to use a common ground rather than divisive narratives? A human story rather than statistics and jargon? How can we amplify the powerful voices of unsung heroes?

Andrew Leon Hanna is author of a Financial Times Book of the Year, a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, and a Harvard-trained lawyer. He co-founded DreamxAmerica, whose PBS film was nominated for a Chicago Emmy® and which connects small businesses to zero-interest loans. Hanna received an MBA with honors from Stanford and a JD with honours from Harvard. Full bio here.