Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law Receives Funding to Launch New Global Toxics and Human Rights Project
September 24, 2021
The Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law is pleased to announce the start of its newest initiative, the Global Toxics and Human Rights Project. The Project will advance a rights-based approach to the sound management of toxics, while leveraging its partnerships with a broad coalition of stakeholders to provide technical assistance, strategic planning, case support, advocacy, awareness raising, and standard setting. The Project will also be the central focus of a panel discussion for AUWCL’s virtual reunion this weekend.
This fall, the Center was awarded a two-year $300,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to support the Global Toxics and Human Rights Project. The Project will leverage the Center’s specialized knowledge and experience in environmental justice and supporting UN mandates to enrich the work of UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights, AUWCL’s alumnus Dr. Marcos Orellana. Supported by Center staff, faculty, and students and directed by Dr. Orellana, the Project will conduct specialized research and implement targeted awareness raising efforts. Dr. Orellana received his LL.M. and S.J.D. degrees from AUWCL, where he has served as an Adjunct Professor since 2002. The Project’s Principal Investigators are Center Acting Director Melissa del Aguila and Professor David Hunter, and the Project will ensure continued opportunities for students to work on applied research, thematic follow-up, and strategic outreach in the area of human rights and environmental justice.
The Center for Human Rights & Humanitarian Law seeks to advance AUWCL’s broader mission by championing a holistic teaching, research, and advocacy agenda that is grounded in service and intellectual curiosity, thereby positioning the Center as a bridge between academia and civil society. The Center’s vibrant team of faculty, staff, and alumni works to equip and empower the next generation of human rights lawyers, advocates, and scholars with the approaches, tools, and ideas needed to address today’s complex and multi-faceted human rights challenges. The Global Toxics and Human Rights Project is the latest in a series of new, exciting initiatives the Center has launched this year related to access to justice, election monitoring, and public finance.
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