The Universal Declaration of Human Rights tells us that ALL people have the right to be recognized as a person before the law. We must be recognized as having inalienable rights to life, liberty, and personal security, no matter where we live.
Iryna Aleksieieva is the Project Manager of the Right to Protection fund in Ukraine. The recent conflict in Ukraine motivated the former private commercial lawyer to stand up for her values. There are over 5 million internally displaced people in Ukraine, and the current violence and forced migration only add to those numbers.
“These people live in in the shadows. They lack access to basic rights and often end up homeless or in jail. It is important to stand up for the invisible, to speak for those without a voice.”
Heartland Alliance’s Refugee and Immigrant Community Services (RICS) program had the pleasure of hosting Iryna as a World Chicago Fellow last year. The program is dedicated to connecting professionals with shared values to help spread diplomacy and build shared networks.
For Iryna, the opportunity has provided chances to learn from nonprofit and legal experts. Her organization has grown quickly over the years, but the need continues to grow as more and more people see their rights at risk. She’s had the opportunity to speak with lawyers from our own fast-growing National Immigrant Justice Center, as well as learn about the behind-the-scenes best practices for program development and fundraising.
“So much happens here, and there are so many things you provide. Seeing how all of these services fall under one umbrella is enlightening.”
As part of the exchange, Iryna has been able to support our RICS programming for new immigrants – a particular help for our ESL and employment training programs, where hundreds of Ukrainian immigrants look to build the skills necessary to thrive.
“I feel like a part of the family here. In just a short time, the people who work and learn here have been so welcoming and friendly.”
The global refugee crisis is on the rise, with more than 65 million people displaced worldwide. The challenges we face are great, meaning that the connections we make with human rights champions are more important than ever. Providing people like Iryna with opportunities to grow as leaders isn’t just a matter of diplomacy, it is an integral piece of the greater fight for equity and opportunity for all people.
We must share not only our skills and techniques–we must share our values. When people like Iryna cross our paths, it’s critical to connect. We aren’t alone in this fight. You aren’t alone in this fight. All around the globe, there are countless people who believe in the sanctity of human rights and what we must do to achieve them.
“The plight of refugees is a global one, and we understand that it is not enough to just react,” Iryna said.
“We have to address the root causes of displacement – of war, injustice, environmental change. Ultimately, we have to ensure security for all people.”
