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DTP Alumni Profile

Chalida is a prominent Thai human rights defender with over 30 years of experience of working on peace building, human rights, solidarity and democracy in Thailand and across Asia. She currently is the Chairperson of People’s Empowerment Foundation (PEF). In 2019 her solidarity for human rights and self-determination in Timor-Leste was recognised by the Timorese government with the Order of Timor-Leste.
In this issue, we link to a new report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization on the impacts of climate change on farms and rural households run by women in poor countries. “The Unjust Climate”, profile Chalida Tajaroensuk, provide information about DTP's programs, highlight the activities of DTP alumni, share news from the region, information on new resources and jobs and calls from the UN for your engagement.
DTP Alumni Profile

Swandaru is an Indonesian human rights defender now working as a senior researcher at Centra Initiative (CI), an Indonesian human rights organisation. His work involves communicating research findings through media briefings, lobbying, and networking.
Report from DTP's Asian Alumni Workshop in Bangkok, Thailand, June 2023.
DTP International Advisory Council member Lopeti Senituli provided insights into the current crisis in Tonga and the regional context for democracy and human rights in the Pacific at roundtable discussion.
DTP Alumni Profile

Laddawan is a DTP alumna and prominent Thai human rights advocate whose leadership on human rights and democracy spans several decades, including distinguished service as a former Secretary General of Thailand’s Law Reform Commission of Thailand, Vice Chairperson of Political Development Council and former Chairperson of Amnesty International in Thailand. She attended one of the first DTP programs and is currently working for democracy in Myanmar and Thailand.
DTP is calling for applications for a part-time Bookkeeper to join its small team.
DTP's 2023 Annual Report showcases its activity throughout the year as we return to face-to-face programs.
We pay tribute to DTP friend and supporter Jim Hart
Indonesian alumni Sabela Gayo and Yotam Wakum visited the Diplomacy Training Program sharing about their current work in Indonesia which is focused on alternative dispute resolution
DTP Alumni Profile

Anselmo is one of the Asia’s most prominent and experienced human rights advocates, with decades of experience and contributions to human rights and civil society movements in Asia. He is Regional Coordinator at the Asia Civil Society Partnership for Sustainable Development (APSD), board member at the May 18 Memorial Foundation in Gwangju, Korea, and an adjunct professor at Kyunghee, SungKongHoe and Ajou University teaching about human rights and SDGs, global governance and NGOs.
DTP alumna/trainer and former Philippines Human Rights Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit links the global campaign on abolition of the death penalty to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and shares insights into the successful campaign against re-introduction of the Death Penalty in the Philippines as a model for the anti-death penalty work. She highlights the value of research, of understanding public perceptions, and the importance of international collaboration and solidarity – and in this case, support from Australia and Australians.
DTP Alumni Profile

Renuga is a young Australian human rights defender and 3rd year law student who is passionate about Tamil refugee rights and the rights of culturally and linguistically diverse community members in Australia. Renuga is also a spokesperson for the Australian Tamil Refugee Council and volunteers for DTP.
The hybrid program, held on 16th November, brought together staff from Jubilee Australia and DTP staff and volunteers for a three-hour session that looked at climate activism, human rights and accountability in the Pacific.
We pay tribute to DTP trainer and friend Virginia Dandan.
In this essay DTP Advisory Board member Justice The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG remembers his own tiny connections with the three personalities that were so important in the preparation of this most important universal declaration - The UDHR.
DTP Alumni Profile

Anelyn attended the first DTP program in Sydney in 1990. She has over 30 years of experience defending and promoting human rights in Asia, with her current advocacy focus the rights of children. She also helped establish Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (Myanmar).
Report from DTP's Pacific Alumni Workshop in Nadi, Fiji, June 2023.
DTP Alumni Profile

Ravi is the International President of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS/MIEC) Pax Romana. In this role, he supports and nurtures young people to be involved in making change, and offering solidarity.
DTP Alumni Profile

Jonathan is a leading environmental and human rights  defender in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Founder and Director of the West Coast Development Foundation (WCDF) and a leader of the Alliance of the Solwara Warriors, his award-winning NGO has been leading the campaign against Deep Sea Mining (DSM) which threatens the fragile ecosystems and sustenance of Pacific island communities.
Participants getting ready for Solidarity Night, 27th Annual DTP program, Timor-Leste
Report of DTP's survey of alumni seeking information and views on DTP alumni networking, August 2023
DTP Alumni Profile

Mary was recently appointed as the Executive Director of Project Sepik, an NGO in Papua New Guinea (PNG). She is an experienced advocate and human rights defender. Apart from her role in Project Sepik, Mary’s commitment to the sustainable management of PNG’s natural resources is evident in her participation in technical working groups focused on issues like environmental law, timber legality standards, and forest stewardship.
The second in a new webinar series for Vanuatu civil society to prepare for the upcoming Universal Periodic Review in 2024. The first two sessions will focus on written submissions from CSO for the report on Vanuatu's human rights record.
DTP Alumni Profile

Bete is a Timorese human rights defender who is passionate about women and child rights. Bete works as a facilitator and coordinator of Pre-School education at Ba Futuru ONG, a leading not-for-profit organisation that works across Timor-Leste to protect children, reduce violence, empower women and inspire young people. Bete reconnected with DTP during its 31st Annual Regional Human Rights and Diplomacy Training Program in August 2023.
48 participants from nine countries gathered in Nepal from 3rd to 7th September 2023 for Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact’s Regional Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Defender Exchange Program.
In recent alumni survey, there was strong support for more networking and for DTP to be more engaged in facilitating and supporting networking among DTP alumni.
The first in a new webinar series for Vanuatu civil society to prepare for the upcoming Universal Periodic Review in 2024. The first two sessions will focus on written submissions from CSO for the report on Vanuatu's human rights record.
DTP Alumni Profile

Sushil Pyakurel is one Asia’s most recognised and awarded human rights and democracy defenders. He was closely involved in Nepal’s transformation from an absolute monarchy in the 1980s to democracy.
Statement from DTP's Executive Director on the upcoming referendum to recognise Indigenous peoples in the Australian Constitution and to establish a constitutionally protected “First Nations Voice” (The Voice) to advise the Australian Parliament and government on matters affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.  
HE Aung Myo Min, Human Rights Minister of the National Unity Government of Myanmar opens DTP’s 31st Annual Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy training program in Timor-Leste.
DTP Alumni Profile

When Fayez did the DTP annual program in Nepal in 2014, he was working for an NGO focused on human rights education and advocacy in Bangladesh. The program proved to be a turning point for Fayez, as it provided him with a broader perspective on human rights mechanisms and advocacy strategies. While his professional career has taken him away from human rights advocacy, his commitment to work on issues of poverty and discrimination has continued. He is now studying for an MBA at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in the US.
DTP Alumni Profile

When Stanley did the DTP annual program in Nepal in 2014, his focus was on migrant and refugee rights. Today he is a prominent figure in the fight against corruption and for human rights and good governance in Malaysia. He currently serves as the Deputy CEO at the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center). His dedication to fighting corruption, and advocating for institutional reform has made him a prominent voice in Malaysia’s anti-corruption movement.
Human rights advocates from across Asia gathered in Bangkok on 28-30 June to mark the 30th anniversary of the Bangkok NGO Declaration and the subsequent World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna.
DTP’s first workshop with DTP alumni in Asia took place in Bangkok from 26-27 June, with 28 alumni from 10 countries joined by DTP trainers and partners.
DTP Alumni Profile

Elizabeth works as a researcher at the Peace Research Institute in Tokyo and serves as Board of Director for the Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan (GPAJ). A Fulbright Scholar, Rotary Peace Fellow, and a two-time TEDx speaker, she is preparing for the Y20 Summit in Varanasi, India as a U.S delegate in the peacebuilding track.
DTP alumnus Dickson Ntwiga visited the Diplomacy Training Program updating the team on his work helping women migrant workers, breaking the cycle of violence against women and improving gender equality both at home in Kenya and abroad.
DTP Alumni Profile

Bashar is a Sydney-based Arts and community cultural development specialist who works closely with culturally and linguistically diverse Middle Eastern communities in the western suburbs of Sydney. After escaping the wars and discrimination in Iraq, Bashar utilises the transformative power of music, theatre, storytelling, poetry, and visual arts to create a positive social change.
DTP alumni from Fiji, Papua New Guinea/Bougainville, Solomon Islands and Tonga gathered in Nadi, Fiji to reflect on the value of DTP’s contribution to their work for human rights, discussed the current context and priority needs for human rights advocacy training, and building DTP’s alumni networks
DTP Alumni Profile

Originally from Cebu, southern Philippines, Aileen is the new Executive Director of DTP partner FORUM-ASIA. Aileen has been a leader of human rights advocacy in Asia for many years, with a focus on enforced “disappearances”. Aileen’s very personal experience of human rights violations in the Philippines deepened her determination to end human rights violations – and to defend those defending rights. Her participation in a DTP course in the 1990s helped her at an important time.
DTP Trainer Profile

Usa is the Executive Director of the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women (APSW) in Bangkok, Thailand. She has been a women’s rights activist for over 30 years. Usa campaigns and advocates to address systematic discrimination against women in Thailand, and provides trainings to women’s leaders and leaders of various sectors.
DTP Trainer Profile

Henry Zwartz is an award-winning journalist who recently trained in a special DTP human rights and advocacy program for migrant and refugee community leaders in Australia. Interested in the intersection between law and media, and their use as a force for good, Henry currently works for a politics and foreign policy think tank and as a freelance journalist with Australian TV Network, SBS.
DTP Alumni Profile

Pervez is the founder and executive director of Bangladesh’s Films 4 Peace (F4P) Foundation, a leading national peacebuilding organisation based in Bangladesh, committed to fostering a peaceful society through innovative and artistic activism, strategic communications, and research.
DTP alumnus Aslam Abd Jalil visited the Diplomacy Training Program sharing his progress in completing his PhD studies and advocating for refugee and migrant worker rights in Malaysia. 
6 participants came together from NSW and ACT for an intensive training program on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Sydney.
After being delayed by COVID, 29 human rights advocates from the region participated in the 30th Annual Program in Bangkok, 23 January - 3rd February.
27 refugee and migrant community leaders participated in a two-day human rights training workshop facilitated by DTP and STARTTS.
DTP's Mubashar Hasan participated in Metro Assist and Addison Road Community Organisation's International Human Rights Day celebrations in Sydney
15 participants came together from across Australia for an intensive training program on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Melbourne.
DTP brought together participants to facilitate the exchange of views among Asian CSOs and human rights advocates on how best to use capacity building & training to support and build human rights and democracy movements in the region.
Protests in Bangkok 2021. Credit: Sirachai Arunrugstichai/Getty Images
DTP's Mubashar Hasan writes in The Interpreter the impact of DTP's work in the region and that Australia should see that training rights advocates across the region can be an effective means to bolster democracy.
Amnesty International media release on the impact of the PNG UPR program and DTP's work with civil society.
Photo of Dickson Ntwiga
In 2015 Dickson was awarded the Leading Women of Africa's Award.
DTP alumnus Muhammad Syukron Anshori calls for recognition and respect for the Indigenous peoples of Indonesia
Media release on the second online capacity building program for civil society, business and government on Business, Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals in the Pacific to be held online in August 2021.
This webinar is the eleventh in a series which is developing greater knowledge and understanding of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This webinar looks at the issue of the disproportionate rate of removals of children from First Nations’ families.