Dr. Pascale Fournier is a Full Professor at the University of Ottawa, civil law section and Lawyer Emeritus (Ad.E.) at the Quebec Bar, known for her commitment to justice and equality. As Head of the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN, she brings unmatched expertise.

She earned an LL.B. from Université Laval, an LL.M. from the University of Toronto as a Massey College Fellow, and a Ph.D. from Harvard University. She is a Fulbright and Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar and clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada. 
At the University of Ottawa, Dr. Fournier has held roles since 2007 such as Associate Dean Research (2010-2012) and Holder of the Research Chair on Legal Pluralism (2012-2018). From 2018 to 2023, she was President and CEO of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation.

Her achievements have earned her election to the College of the Royal Society of Canada, recognition as one of the Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine, and the Capital Educators’ Award for teaching excellence from the Ottawa Network for Education.

Dr. Ibrahim Salama is the associate Director of the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN and a leading force in human rights!

Formerly Head of the Human Rights Treaties Branch at OHCHR and director of the « Faith for Rights » program, Dr. Salama was also at the helm of the United Nations Secretariat for the 2009 Durban Review Conference against Racism and held roles such as Independent Expert of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Chair of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Right to Development.

In 2019, he researched the role of religious actors in human rights at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights leading to the toolkit for training and co-authoring « Reconciling Religion and Human Rights » with Michael Weine

Dr. Salama’s career and contributions continue to shape the field of human rights, blending deep expertise with a commitment to faith and multilateralism.

Nathan Reyes brings over a decade of frontline humanitarian experience to the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN. With an LL.M from the University of Ottawa, Nathan has worked with the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC where, as a neutral humanitarian intermediary, he coordinated the search for missing persons, negotiated the protection of civilians and prisoners, and developed innovative responses to urgent needs. His work embodies compassion, courage, and commitment to human dignity.

Beyond his humanitarian work, Nathan is also an avid sailor, having sailed halfway across the world from Croatia to Latin America. This remarkable journey allowed him to reconnect with himself and nature, fueling his drive to approach global challenges with renewed vision and purpose.

At the Observatory, Nathan’s mission is clear: to give voice to those affected by violence, foster dialogue, and innovate solutions for a safer, more just world.

Coline Moreau is an accomplished scholar in criminal law, criminology, and human rights! Coline holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in law from UCLouvain in Belgium and is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Ottawa's Department of Criminology.

Coline joins the Observatory of Human Rights at the UN as Special Advisor for Educational Content. She teaches the methodology of empirical research in law to the cohort and supervises the project on children's rights involving students, pilots and collaborators. She also contributes to the Leadership program by sharing her experience navigating academic spaces as a doctoral student and human rights advocate with an emphasis on the importance of self-awareness, critical thinking, and the quest for meaning in academic work.

Additionally, she assisted Dr. Pascale Fournier with her course "Comparative Human Rights Law: A Perspective from the Field" at the United Nations in Geneva, in May 2024, bringing her valuable expertise to this international program. 

Rick Aiyer is a Policy Advisor in Legal & Foreign Affairs at the Senate of Canada. With experience spanning The World Bank, Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General, and international policy consulting, Rick is passionate about advancing justice and human rights. His global experiences across Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East have shaped his view on how international law can foster human rights—even in established democracies.

Beyond his work, Rick’s dedication extends to youth mental health, having served on the National Youth Council of Kids Help Phone. He also advises a Model UN conference that unites high school students from across the Americas.

Rick’s impressive academic background includes an LL.M. (First Class) from the University of Cambridge and an LL.L. (Gold Medalist) from the University of Ottawa, where his passion for research shines. Rick is an exceptional addition to the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN as Special Advisor, Research and Dissemination, where he will aid in advancing the work of the Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and foster international collaboration for child protection and advocacy.

Kathy Dufour is a dynamic professional with over eight years of diverse experience in elite cycling and international sports management! Following an impressive career, Kathy worked for the International Paralympic Committee in Bonn, Germany. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Relations from Université Laval, a Graduate Diploma in Project Management, and a Master's in Sports Management from the prestigious Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Master program, in partnership with universities in the UK, Italy, and Switzerland.

In 2022, Kathy decided to return to her studies in law at the University of Ottawa, where she graduated in August 2024, while dedicating over 130 hours to volunteering. She now combines her expertise in sports and law, working with the Sport Integrity Commissioner and Women in Sports Law. Kathy also earned a diploma at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, further nurturing her interest in international law.

Drawing on the expertise she developed at the United Nations with Dr. Pascale Fournier in May 2024, Kathy serves as Special Project Advisor within the Observatory of Human Rights at the UN assisting the "CEDAW" subgroup, which will document the intersection of « gender, religion, and culture »

McKim Jean-Pierre is a dynamic professional with a passion for human rights and innovation! McKim holds an International Master in Global Markets, Local Creativities from the University of Glasgow, a Master in Social Sciences in Economic History from Uppsala University, and a Master of Arts in History from Erasmus University Rotterdam. 

Professionally, she brings five years of experience in higher education. Her work centers on high-impact projects, with a special focus on access to education, nutrition, and the ethical development of Big Tech and Big Data. When she’s not advocating for global justice, McKim spends her free time perfecting her skills in aerial hoop, a circus art that blends strength, grace, and creativity. 

As Special Project Advisor at the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN, she will be assisting the "Race and the Right to Health" subgroup to advance research and policy initiatives designed to tackle the intersections of race and health inequity, for the benefit of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). 

Simona Lombardo is a passionate advocate for human rights and justice, currently in her second year at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Civil Law! With a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Concordia University and a certificate in Political Science from Université de Montréal, Simona’s academic journey reflects her dedication to understanding both the human mind and the law. 

During her first year at the University of Ottawa, Simona had the incredible opportunity to attend with Dr. Pascale Fournier, the 88th session of CEDAW at the United Nations in Geneva, where she gained firsthand insight into the global fight against gender discrimination.

Simona is also the co-host with Laura Bucaro of the “Legally Right” podcast, where she breaks down complex human rights issues, making them accessible and engaging for everyone. From exploring legal frameworks to global human rights discussions, she’s committed to democratizing knowledge and sparking meaningful conversations. And when she’s not advocating for justice or hosting her podcast, you’ll likely find her diving into true crime stories—her ultimate obsession!

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With her experiences, Simona is on a mission to make a significant impact—locally and internationally—through the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN's communications! 

Laura Bucaro is an advocate for international human rights and a true force in justice! As co-host of the Legally Right Podcast, Laura breaks down complex human rights issues, making them accessible and engaging for all. But did you know Legally Right isn't her first podcast? She started with Teach Me How to History, where she explores key historical events and their relevance today. Her role as Creative Support Assistant at the Observatory of Human Rights at the UN is the perfect fit for her talents, helping to democratize knowledge in a fun, engaging, and accessible way!

With a Bachelor's degree in History specializing in Genocidal Studies from Concordia University and a passion for international humanitarian law, Laura's dedication to these causes has been strengthened by attending the 88th session of the CEDAW conference at the United Nations in Geneva during her first year of LL.L at the University of Ottawa with Dr. Pascale Fournier.