As it is now a yearly tradition, on Wednesday, February 4th, the Institute for the Study of Human Rights hosted its Winter Reception. Columbia faculty, students, staff, and supporters enjoyed refreshments and good conversation, welcoming the 2025-26 participants in the Human Rights Advocates Program (HRAP).
These seven advocates from Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa, Belarus, Brazil, India, and Tanzania are working on critical issues of human rights around the world, including Indigenous Peoples’ rights, labor rights, cybersecurity, women's rights, and environmental justice.
Joseph Slaughter, ISHR’s Executive Director, delivered the welcoming remarks and shared some of the work ISHR has been doing since it was established in 1978. ISHR was the first interdisciplinary, academic center of its kind in the world.
Stephanie Grepo, Director of Capacity Building at ISHR, thanked staff, faculty, students, human rights organizations, donors, and HRAP alumni for contributing to the program in various ways over the years. She said the unwavering support underscored the feeling among the program's alumni that HRAP is a family.
Finally, Advocate Nyawira Wahito, from Kenya, spoke on behalf of the cohort. Nyawira spoke of their excitement to be on campus in New York City, learning from each other and from the classes and workshops they will attend.
