On September 21, 2026, ISHR hosted a panel discussion titled “From Advocacy to Accountability: Human Rights Practice in Action.” Convened as an expert practitioner dialogue on the margins of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, the panel explored how human rights practitioners can turn rights into power, evidence into accountability, and advocacy into lasting change in an increasingly challenging global environment. Tatiana Kotlyarenko, ISHR Alum, Member of the IF20 Working Group on Human Trafficking, and award-winning human rights expert, served as moderator. ISHR Director Joseph Slaughter welcomed everyone to the event and shared introductory remarks.
The first panel titled “From Voice to Movement: Building Power for Rights and Equality” brought together in conversation Ruchira Gupta (Apne Aap Women Worldwide), Tsitsi Matekaire, (Equality Now), and Mandy Sanghera OBE (Female Advocacy Foundation International), to discuss how movements are built and sustained, how practitioners connect individual experiences to systemic injustice, and how advocacy can translate into changes in law, policy, institutions and public attitudes.
During the second panel titled “From Evidence to Accountability: The Practitioner’s Toolkit for Justice” Kevin Hyland OBE (Chair of G20 IF20 Working Group on Human Trafficking) and Samer Khwaiss (Black Basalt Foundation) discussed the practical dimensions of documenting violations, understanding patterns of abuse, supporting victims and survivors, strengthening investigations, and ensuring that evidence can contribute to accountability.
The Institute was especially pleased to collaborate with and welcome back to campus Tatiana Kotlyarenko, a 2006 graduate from the Human Rights Studies M.A. Program. In addition to serving as a panel moderator, Tatiana recently received the 2026 Dean’s Award for Distinguished Achievement, recognizing her contributions to the academic community and profound impact on the world at large. To learn more about Tatiana’s experience in the program and her professional work, please click here.
