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Our Collaborators
Our Collaborators - a dynamic network of researchers, practitioners, and experts who contribute to the Observatory's interdisciplinary approach, bringing diverse perspectives and experiences to enrich our understanding of human rights and inform our initiatives.
Karina Montminy
Holding a diploma in advanced studies in international public law from the University of Montpellier, France, Ms. Karina Montminy began her legal practice in Guatemala with an NGO dedicated to defending human rights, particularly for indigenous people who were victims of rights violations during the civil war. She then held a project manager position at the Department of Management and Settlement of Disputes at the Ministry of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, where she was responsible for litigation in Quebec.
Desiring to actively contribute to the advancement of human rights and freedoms in Quebec, Ms. Montminy joined the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission. She initially served as a regional representative and investigator, particularly within Indigenous settings. For the past 20 years, Ms. Montminy has been a legal advisor at the Research Division, an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and sociologists. Through the numerous projects she has worked on over the years, including briefs, statements, public positions, presentations, and publications, she has been dedicated to advocating for the rights of children, women, indigenous people, and individuals with disabilities.
Desiring to actively contribute to the advancement of human rights and freedoms in Quebec, Ms. Montminy joined the Quebec Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission. She initially served as a regional representative and investigator, particularly within Indigenous settings. For the past 20 years, Ms. Montminy has been a legal advisor at the Research Division, an interdisciplinary team of lawyers and sociologists. Through the numerous projects she has worked on over the years, including briefs, statements, public positions, presentations, and publications, she has been dedicated to advocating for the rights of children, women, indigenous people, and individuals with disabilities.
Dr. Yacouba Cissé
Dr. Yacouba Cissé is currently a member of the United Nations International Law Commission, Ambassador of the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire to the Republic of Austria and Permanent Representative of Côte d'Ivoire to the United Nations Office and others International Organizations in Vienna. He is an expert in the international law of maritime boundary delimitation and other law of the sea issues, with numerous publications to his credit in this field. He holds a bachelor's degree and a master’s degree in public international law from the University of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire). He also holds a master's degree in science and management of maritime affairs from the University of Rimouski in Quebec and a doctorate in law from the University of Ottawa (Canada) with congratulations from the jury and the Paris Bar Prize.
Dr. Cissé is a member of the Abidjan Bar and was Director of the International Civil Service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Côte d'Ivoire.
As a member of the United Nations International Law Commission, he is a member of the Study Group set up by the Commission to address the issue of sea-level rise and its implications for international law. He is the Special Rapporteur on ‘Prevention and repression of maritime piracy and armed robbery at sea’. This subject is part of the Commission's long-term programme and received broad support from delegates attending the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
He currently chairs the Group of the Francophone Ambassadors (GAF) accredited to Vienna, Austria.
Dr. Cissé is a member of the Abidjan Bar and was Director of the International Civil Service at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Côte d'Ivoire.
As a member of the United Nations International Law Commission, he is a member of the Study Group set up by the Commission to address the issue of sea-level rise and its implications for international law. He is the Special Rapporteur on ‘Prevention and repression of maritime piracy and armed robbery at sea’. This subject is part of the Commission's long-term programme and received broad support from delegates attending the Sixth Committee of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
He currently chairs the Group of the Francophone Ambassadors (GAF) accredited to Vienna, Austria.
Dr. Prativa Baral
Dr. Prativa Baral is an epidemiologist and a faculty associate at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She operates at the intersection of global health policy and advocacy, while investigating risks of health emergencies, early warning and surveillance systems, and health systems resilience, particularly during crises. She is also the co-founder of Let Science Connect, a science communications training consultancy targeting researchers and experts.
Over the past few years, she has collaborated with and consulted for OpenAI, the United Nations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, the United Nations, the Global Pandemic Monitoring Board, the Canadian COVID Task Force and more, contributing to the pandemic research and policy response to COVID-19 at both domestic and international levels. She also regularly appeared on Canadian media during the pandemic, providing Canadians with practical and expert advice regarding COVID-19.
Dr. Baral is a sought-after speaker and expert panelist, frequently contributing to major domestic and global meetings, including at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos. Most recently, she led the secretariat of the expert panel convened by the Royal Society of Canada and Canadian Academy of Health Sciences to define Canada’s role in global health. Previously, she played a key role in drafting the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s framework for action on global health research.
Dr. Prativa Baral holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a master’s in public health in epidemiology from Columbia University and a bachelor’s of science from McGill University. She is a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar and a Canadian Institutes for Health Research Doctoral Foreign Student Award recipient. Fluent in French, English and Nepali, Prativa is a former nationally ranked chess player.
Over the past few years, she has collaborated with and consulted for OpenAI, the United Nations, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, the United Nations, the Global Pandemic Monitoring Board, the Canadian COVID Task Force and more, contributing to the pandemic research and policy response to COVID-19 at both domestic and international levels. She also regularly appeared on Canadian media during the pandemic, providing Canadians with practical and expert advice regarding COVID-19.
Dr. Baral is a sought-after speaker and expert panelist, frequently contributing to major domestic and global meetings, including at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos. Most recently, she led the secretariat of the expert panel convened by the Royal Society of Canada and Canadian Academy of Health Sciences to define Canada’s role in global health. Previously, she played a key role in drafting the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s framework for action on global health research.
Dr. Prativa Baral holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a master’s in public health in epidemiology from Columbia University and a bachelor’s of science from McGill University. She is a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar and a Canadian Institutes for Health Research Doctoral Foreign Student Award recipient. Fluent in French, English and Nepali, Prativa is a former nationally ranked chess player.
Dr. Jasmine Mah
Dr. Jasmine Mah is a resident doctor who cares for older adults in Geriatric Medicine. She operates at the intersection of medicine, research, and policy providing solutions for people to live, age and receive healthcare with dignity in the homes of their choice, even in the face of circumstances that limit their autonomy. She is committed to translating clinical and research findings in medicine into systemic change both in Canada and internationally. Dr. Mah's current research focuses on the impact of frailty and social vulnerability on clinical outcomes and healthcare resource use among older adults in Nova Scotia. To apply her learnings, she is also exploring potential solutions to improve the admission process for socially vulnerable individuals in hospitals.
Dr. Mah recognizes the challenges of bridging theory and practice. To help her colleagues make their work more accessible, she co-founded Let Science Connect, which provides research teams with support and workshops on science communication. Beyond Canada, Dr. Mah contributed to the development of a national plan on organ donation and transplantation in Greece. The project, presented to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in July 2021, continues to contribute to significant improvements in Greece’s transplant infrastructure.
Dr. Mah earned her medical degree from the University of Ottawa, a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and her PhD from Dalhousie University. She is a Canadian Medical Association Young Leader and recipient of the Association of Faculties of Medicine Learner Changemaker Award.
Dr. Mah recognizes the challenges of bridging theory and practice. To help her colleagues make their work more accessible, she co-founded Let Science Connect, which provides research teams with support and workshops on science communication. Beyond Canada, Dr. Mah contributed to the development of a national plan on organ donation and transplantation in Greece. The project, presented to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in July 2021, continues to contribute to significant improvements in Greece’s transplant infrastructure.
Dr. Mah earned her medical degree from the University of Ottawa, a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and her PhD from Dalhousie University. She is a Canadian Medical Association Young Leader and recipient of the Association of Faculties of Medicine Learner Changemaker Award.
Éloge Butera
Éloge currently serves as Director of the Dallaire Institute’s Africa Centre of Excellence on Children, Peace and Security, based in Rwanda. He leads a team that promotes child protection and works to end the recruitment and use of children as soldiers globally. A McGill Law graduate, Éloge has a distinguished career in human rights and public policy. Over the past decade, he has served as a leading advisor to some of Canada’s most distinguished parliamentarians including the Honourable Professor Irwin Cotler, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Lieutenant General Romeo Dallaire (Rtd), former Senator and Commander of UN forces in Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda, as well as the Honourable Ralph Goodale, former Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. A survivor of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda, Éloge tirelessly champions both the prevention of and accountability for mass atrocities and genocide around the world. He has spoken to dozens of audiences of all ages about his experience in Rwanda and the important role engaged citizens can play in preventing other genocides in our time. In 2013, Éloge was inducted as an Honorary Witness to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, established in 2008 to document the history and lasting impacts of the Canadian Indian residential school system on Indigenous students and their families and educating Canadians about the devastating legacy of this brutal assimilation policy. Along with Holocaust Survivor and fellow Honorary Witness Robbie Wiseman, he played the role of “survivor in solidarity” with residential school survivors and their descendants. He was proud to advance the Commission’s public-facing work and spearheaded a civil society effort to implement some of the Commission’s 94 calls to action. When not in Rwanda, Éloge lives near a beautiful river just outside Ottawa, Canada with his loving, brilliant life partner and their two young, active children.
Ariane Rémy Quevedo
Ariane Rémy-Quevedo is an experience lawyer based in Montreal, whose diverse background showcases deep legal expertise and the ability to navigate multicultural environments. Trilingual, she is fluent in French, English, and Spanish, enabling her to communicate and collaborate effectively across various contexts.
In 2018, Ariane earned her Civil Law Licence from the University of Ottawa, where she distinguished herself as a research and teaching assistant. As the coordinator of the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law under Professor Pascale Fournier, she conducted extensive research in international law and general legal principles, reinforcing her commitment to advancing legal knowledge. Her involvement in studying Latin American legal systems further enriched her understanding of global issues in international law.
Ariane began her legal career at Dionne Avocats Inc. and Le Palier Juridique, where she gained solid experience in family law. Since October 2023, she has held the position of Employment and Labor Lawyer at CISSS de Laval. In this role, she uses her expertise to manage complex cases in the public health sector, providing strategic legal solutions tailored to the organization’s needs.
Ariane’s career path is marked by academic excellence, professional rigor, and multilingual skills, making her a versatile and accomplished lawyer.
In 2018, Ariane earned her Civil Law Licence from the University of Ottawa, where she distinguished herself as a research and teaching assistant. As the coordinator of the Research Chair in Legal Pluralism and Comparative Law under Professor Pascale Fournier, she conducted extensive research in international law and general legal principles, reinforcing her commitment to advancing legal knowledge. Her involvement in studying Latin American legal systems further enriched her understanding of global issues in international law.
Ariane began her legal career at Dionne Avocats Inc. and Le Palier Juridique, where she gained solid experience in family law. Since October 2023, she has held the position of Employment and Labor Lawyer at CISSS de Laval. In this role, she uses her expertise to manage complex cases in the public health sector, providing strategic legal solutions tailored to the organization’s needs.
Ariane’s career path is marked by academic excellence, professional rigor, and multilingual skills, making her a versatile and accomplished lawyer.
Raphaël Grenier-Benoit
Raphaël Grenier-Benoit, a collaborator at the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN, is a doctoral student at the University of Oxford Faculty of Law, where he conducts research under the supervision of Professor Richard Ekins. Fascinated by issues at the intersection of law, politics, and morality, his research focuses on constitutional interpretation and on the role of the judiciary in harmonizing law to social change. Before studying law, Raphaël worked for almost a decade in the media, notably as an actor in the Radio-Canada series “Les Parents”. He also co-developed and hosted a documentary series highlighting the community involvement of young francophones. Following those experiences, he obtained a bachelor's degree in civil law and common law at McGill University's Faculty of Law, and an MPhil in law (with Distinction) at the University of Oxford. While at McGill, he served as Executive Editor of the McGill Law Journal, worked as a law clerk for Judge Jean-Pierre Archambault of the Court of Quebec, and as a research assistant for Professor Mark D. Walters. In addition to his academic activities, Raphaël sits on the board of directors of the “Fête de la lecture et du livre jeunesse de Longueuil”, and is a member of the International Association of Young Lawyers.
Michelle Liu
Michelle Liu (they/them) is an uninvited third-generation settler based on the traditional land of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. As a Queer, non-binary, racialized, and neurodivergent person, Michelle’s focus across their undertakings is on using their subject matter knowledge and lived experience to influence individuals, organizations, and systems to advance social justice. Michelle’s work is informed by various critical and anti-oppressive frameworks including decolonial, abolitionist, Queer, feminist, anti-racist, and intersectional frameworks.
Michelle is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) in Ontario and a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario. Michelle’s speaking, activism, and policy advisory work has touched over 160 events, documents, and organizations. Michelle is also on the editorial team of the Canadian Journal of Women and the Law, a multidisciplinary and peer-reviewed publication of scholarship on the social, economic, and legal status of women, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming persons.
Michelle earned their Honours BASc and MASc in civil engineering (structural and cold regions engineering) from the University of Waterloo and worked in design and construction management for various consulting engineering firms. Michelle’s encounters with racism, homophobia, ableism, and gender-based violence in engineering inspired them to pursue their law degree (JD, Magna cum laude and Dean’s Award) and engineering PhD simultaneously at the University of Ottawa. While in law school, Michelle served two terms as the President of the Common Law Student Society, President of OUTLaw 2SLGBTQ+ Law Students Association, and member of the University Senate. Michelle has worked at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and Ecojustice Canada.
Michelle’s engineering PhD research, for which they received both the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship, uses sociolegal frameworks to understand the relationship between technological designs and the dominant norms in engineering such as masculinity and meritocracy. Michelle’s current priorities include becoming a professor of both law and engineering and to run a law practice advocating for equity-seeking people who experience discrimination in STEM workplaces.
Michelle’s volunteer work in both law and engineering has included serving as a Councillor (Board Member) of Professional Engineers Ontario, member of the Equity Advisory Group of the Law Society of Ontario, mentor with the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, Chair of the Waterloo Recent Engineering Alumni Council, member of uOttawa Law’s Recent Alumni Engagement Council, ambassador with the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering, and Co-Chair of the EDIA Task Force of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. Michelle also co-created and co-funds the Liu-Kennington Award for the 2SLGBTQ+ Engineering Community, the first university-level scholarship for 2SLGBTQ+ engineering students in Canada.
For their leadership, activism, and impact, Michelle has received over 20 awards from local and national institutions, including being named an EDI Leader in Engineering Workplaces by Engineers Canada in 2021-2022.
Michelle is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) in Ontario and a member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario. Michelle’s speaking, activism, and policy advisory work has touched over 160 events, documents, and organizations. Michelle is also on the editorial team of the Canadian Journal of Women and the Law, a multidisciplinary and peer-reviewed publication of scholarship on the social, economic, and legal status of women, trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming persons.
Michelle earned their Honours BASc and MASc in civil engineering (structural and cold regions engineering) from the University of Waterloo and worked in design and construction management for various consulting engineering firms. Michelle’s encounters with racism, homophobia, ableism, and gender-based violence in engineering inspired them to pursue their law degree (JD, Magna cum laude and Dean’s Award) and engineering PhD simultaneously at the University of Ottawa. While in law school, Michelle served two terms as the President of the Common Law Student Society, President of OUTLaw 2SLGBTQ+ Law Students Association, and member of the University Senate. Michelle has worked at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP and Ecojustice Canada.
Michelle’s engineering PhD research, for which they received both the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship and the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholarship, uses sociolegal frameworks to understand the relationship between technological designs and the dominant norms in engineering such as masculinity and meritocracy. Michelle’s current priorities include becoming a professor of both law and engineering and to run a law practice advocating for equity-seeking people who experience discrimination in STEM workplaces.
Michelle’s volunteer work in both law and engineering has included serving as a Councillor (Board Member) of Professional Engineers Ontario, member of the Equity Advisory Group of the Law Society of Ontario, mentor with the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, Chair of the Waterloo Recent Engineering Alumni Council, member of uOttawa Law’s Recent Alumni Engagement Council, ambassador with the Ontario Network of Women in Engineering, and Co-Chair of the EDIA Task Force of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers. Michelle also co-created and co-funds the Liu-Kennington Award for the 2SLGBTQ+ Engineering Community, the first university-level scholarship for 2SLGBTQ+ engineering students in Canada.
For their leadership, activism, and impact, Michelle has received over 20 awards from local and national institutions, including being named an EDI Leader in Engineering Workplaces by Engineers Canada in 2021-2022.
Dr. Emmanuel Kattan
Dr. Emmanuel Kattan is Director of the Alliance Program, an innovative academic joint venture of Columbia University and three major French Higher Education Institutions: École Polytechnique, Sciences Po, and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. He was previously Director of the British Council in New York, where he oversaw academic collaboration programs. He created partnerships with the Henry Luce Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation to launch initiatives connecting higher education institutions across the Atlantic. Before joining the British Council, Dr. Emmanuel Kattan was Senior Adviser at the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, where he managed strategic communications and engagement with academic communities. He also held senior positions at the Commonwealth Secretariat and at the Quebec Delegation in London, where he was in charge of academic relations programs.
A native of Montreal, Dr. Emmanuel Kattan studied politics at Oxford as a Rhodes scholar and earned a PhD from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris. He is the author of four books: an essay on the politics of memory and three novels.
A native of Montreal, Dr. Emmanuel Kattan studied politics at Oxford as a Rhodes scholar and earned a PhD from the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales in Paris. He is the author of four books: an essay on the politics of memory and three novels.
Mélanie Vincent
Mélanie Vincent is a member of the Huron-Wendat Nation, holder of a multidisciplinary bachelor's degree from Université Laval (1998), a master's degree in justice and security administration from the University of Phoenix (Arizona-2009) and a scholarship from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the United Nations in Geneva and UNESCO in Paris (2004). Since 2007, Gestion MV Management has been offering management consulting services on Aboriginal issues, the organization of turnkey events focused on Aboriginal issues, strategic communications and organizational coaching related to the diversity and inclusion of Aboriginal peoples in Quebec. Executive Director of the First Nations Socio-Economic Forum in 2006, she then served as Executive Assistant to the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations QC-Labrador from 2007 to 2021. Between 2012 and 2019, she was responsible for deploying campaigns on class action claims processes, including the Sixties Scoop, across Canada. L'université Nipissing décernera à Jeannette Corbiere Lavell un doctorat honorifique en éducation. From 2012 to 2024, Mélanie was part of the coordination team responsible for protecting the rights and interests related to the heritage of the Huron-Wendat Nation in Ontario. She developed expertise in the repatriation of Wendat ancestors and artifacts. In 2017, Mélanie founded the KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples festival, aimed at fostering connections between Quebecers and Indigenous peoples in Quebec. Held annually in Quebec City KWE attracts over 20,000 visitors. She continues to serve as its Executive Director. Thanks to her experience and expertise in crisis communication management and emergency management, Mélanie is a trainer for the School of Indigenous Leaders at HEC Montréal.
Étienne Cossette-Lefebvre
Étienne Cossette-Lefebvre is a lawyer, a doctoral candidate in law at the University of Toronto, and an adjunct assistant professor and fellow in property law at Queen's University Faculty of Law. He is a Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Scholar (2021-2024) and a Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship Doctoral Fellow in honour of Nelson Mandela (2021-2024). His dissertation offers innovative trans-systemic perspectives on the idea of self-ownership to explain a person's rights over their body, image, voice and personal information. He feels privileged to be a Jeune Boursier at Collège Massey.
Étienne obtained his B.C.L./LL.B. (Honours) from McGill University's Faculty of Law in May 2014. His time at the Faculty earned him several awards for excellence, and his name appears on the Dean's Honour Roll. He also received the Quebec Comparative Law Association's essay competition prize in the undergraduate category (2013-2014). During his post-secondary studies, Étienne continued his high-level training in classical piano.
After graduating from the Bar, where he earned the second-highest mark of his entire cohort (2014-2015), Étienne worked as a research lawyer at the Quebec Court of Appeal. In 2018-2019, he clerked for the Honourable Russell Brown at the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2020, he obtained a Master of Law degree from the University of Toronto. During the 2020-2021 academic year, he lecturer at McGill University's Faculty of Law and was an Associate Director of the Paul-André Crépeau Centre for Private and Comparative Law. His research interests include the law of persons, the law of property, the law of obligations, the law of succession, comparative law, legal theory and philosophy, and legal history.
Étienne obtained his B.C.L./LL.B. (Honours) from McGill University's Faculty of Law in May 2014. His time at the Faculty earned him several awards for excellence, and his name appears on the Dean's Honour Roll. He also received the Quebec Comparative Law Association's essay competition prize in the undergraduate category (2013-2014). During his post-secondary studies, Étienne continued his high-level training in classical piano.
After graduating from the Bar, where he earned the second-highest mark of his entire cohort (2014-2015), Étienne worked as a research lawyer at the Quebec Court of Appeal. In 2018-2019, he clerked for the Honourable Russell Brown at the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2020, he obtained a Master of Law degree from the University of Toronto. During the 2020-2021 academic year, he lecturer at McGill University's Faculty of Law and was an Associate Director of the Paul-André Crépeau Centre for Private and Comparative Law. His research interests include the law of persons, the law of property, the law of obligations, the law of succession, comparative law, legal theory and philosophy, and legal history.
Lydie Belporo
Lydie C. Belporo is a Senior Desk Officer at Global Affairs Canada and a PhD candidate at the School of Criminology at the University of Montreal, where she is completing a thesis on the governance of disengagement from violent extremism in Sub-Saharan Africa. Holder of two master's degrees in international relations and international law from the University of Montreal, she coordinated the PREV-IMPACT project for the UNESCO Chair in the Prevention of Radicalization and Violent Extremism in Canada until 2020.
She then served as a research associate for the international study on the prevention of radicalization and violent extremism in the Francophone world, conducted in collaboration with the “Organisation Internationale de la francophonie”, published in 2022. Recipient of numerous academic awards and doctoral scholarships, Lydie has distinguished herself in the regional humanitarian law competition organized by the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and in the national literary competition on fair trade organized by the organization Aide Internationale pour l'Enfance in Quebec.
She then served as a research associate for the international study on the prevention of radicalization and violent extremism in the Francophone world, conducted in collaboration with the “Organisation Internationale de la francophonie”, published in 2022. Recipient of numerous academic awards and doctoral scholarships, Lydie has distinguished herself in the regional humanitarian law competition organized by the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) and in the national literary competition on fair trade organized by the organization Aide Internationale pour l'Enfance in Quebec.
Sahar Ghadhban
Sahar Ghadhban is a career diplomat with over a decade of experience abroad, specializing on Russia and the Middle East. She began her diplomatic career with assignments at the Canadian embassies in Algeria (2008) and Syria (2010), where she handled the human rights file. In Syria, she monitored the trials and detention of political activists and collaborated with civil society to raise awareness about their cases.
Sahar gained multilateral experience working at the Canadian missions to the UN in Geneva (2011) and New York (2015), where she negotiated resolutions on various issues, including decolonization, the right of self-determination, and peacekeeping operations. Before joining the Foreign Service, Sahar also worked at the United Nations Programme for Development in post-revolution Tunisia, where she witnessed the drafting of a new constitution and the first free elections.
In 2017, Sahar was posted to the Embassy of Canada to Russia with concurrent accreditation to Armenia (2017-2021). She reported on Russia’s foreign policy, particularly its military intervention in Syria and the invasion of Ukraine. Sahar examined the impact of these conflicts on the world order. Sahar also covered the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and coordinated Canada’s political and humanitarian response. Sahar recently completed a three-year posting at the Embassy of Canada to Lebanon (2021-2024), where she focused on key political and security issues, notably the war in Gaza and its impact on Southern Lebanon.
In Moscow, Sahar took the lead in establishing the Women in Diplomacy Network, a platform designed to promote and support women in foreign policy and diplomacy. She also replicated this initiative during her posting in Beirut. Sahar also provided a platform for women outside of diplomacy. One of the most recent events featured women reporters in conflict zones, highlighting the significance of international humanitarian law in conflicts.
Sahar firmly believes that her role as a diplomat is to give a voice to those who don’t have one and present a different narrative to the story.
Sahar holds a master’s degree in public and international Affairs from the University of Ottawa. She is currently pursuing an Executive master’s degree in international Strategy and Diplomacy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in London, UK.
Sahar gained multilateral experience working at the Canadian missions to the UN in Geneva (2011) and New York (2015), where she negotiated resolutions on various issues, including decolonization, the right of self-determination, and peacekeeping operations. Before joining the Foreign Service, Sahar also worked at the United Nations Programme for Development in post-revolution Tunisia, where she witnessed the drafting of a new constitution and the first free elections.
In 2017, Sahar was posted to the Embassy of Canada to Russia with concurrent accreditation to Armenia (2017-2021). She reported on Russia’s foreign policy, particularly its military intervention in Syria and the invasion of Ukraine. Sahar examined the impact of these conflicts on the world order. Sahar also covered the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and coordinated Canada’s political and humanitarian response. Sahar recently completed a three-year posting at the Embassy of Canada to Lebanon (2021-2024), where she focused on key political and security issues, notably the war in Gaza and its impact on Southern Lebanon.
In Moscow, Sahar took the lead in establishing the Women in Diplomacy Network, a platform designed to promote and support women in foreign policy and diplomacy. She also replicated this initiative during her posting in Beirut. Sahar also provided a platform for women outside of diplomacy. One of the most recent events featured women reporters in conflict zones, highlighting the significance of international humanitarian law in conflicts.
Sahar firmly believes that her role as a diplomat is to give a voice to those who don’t have one and present a different narrative to the story.
Sahar holds a master’s degree in public and international Affairs from the University of Ottawa. She is currently pursuing an Executive master’s degree in international Strategy and Diplomacy at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in London, UK.
Benjamin Boutin
A graduate of Sciences Po Aix, Université Paris Saclay and École nationale d'administration publique du Québec, Benjamin Boutin is honorary president of “Francophonie sans frontières”, director of France-Canada, project manager for the French member association of the “Alliance G20 des Entrepreneurs”, member of the honorary committee of the “Association pour la Diffusion internationale francophone de livres, ouvrages et revues” (ADIFLOR), consultant, lecturer and associate lecturer at Université Jean Moulin Lyon III.
He has worked at France's Permanent Representation to the European Union, at the Centre de doctrine d'emploi des forces (now the Centre de doctrine et d'enseignement du commandement), at the Délégation aux affaires stratégiques (now the Direction générale des relations internationales et de la stratégie), at the French National Assembly (in the office of the deputy for Aisne, vice-chairman of the sustainable development commission and parliamentary secretary-general of La Francophonie), at the Quebec National Assembly (in the office of the leader of the official opposition) and at Radio-Canada. Associate researcher at the “Institut Prospective et Sécurité en Europe”, visiting professor at the “Centre d'études diplomatiques et internationales d'Haïti”, the “École des nouveaux métiers de la communication” and the “Université du Luxembourg”, he gives courses, seminars and lectures, and organizes and leads workshops, roundtables and symposia. He also appears in the media.
His areas of expertise and commitment are the Francophonie, Europe, geopolitics, political and parliamentary affairs, cultural dialogue, the cooperative movement and international cooperation for sustainable development and peace.
He has worked at France's Permanent Representation to the European Union, at the Centre de doctrine d'emploi des forces (now the Centre de doctrine et d'enseignement du commandement), at the Délégation aux affaires stratégiques (now the Direction générale des relations internationales et de la stratégie), at the French National Assembly (in the office of the deputy for Aisne, vice-chairman of the sustainable development commission and parliamentary secretary-general of La Francophonie), at the Quebec National Assembly (in the office of the leader of the official opposition) and at Radio-Canada. Associate researcher at the “Institut Prospective et Sécurité en Europe”, visiting professor at the “Centre d'études diplomatiques et internationales d'Haïti”, the “École des nouveaux métiers de la communication” and the “Université du Luxembourg”, he gives courses, seminars and lectures, and organizes and leads workshops, roundtables and symposia. He also appears in the media.
His areas of expertise and commitment are the Francophonie, Europe, geopolitics, political and parliamentary affairs, cultural dialogue, the cooperative movement and international cooperation for sustainable development and peace.
Jillian Boyd
Jillian Boyd is the Director of Digital Education at the National Judicial Institute (NJI). In Canada, the NJI is the primary provider of training services for the country’s 2,500 judges and continues to offer training programs and resources that help judges better serve the interests of Canadians. As an independent, judge-led organization, the NJI’s training program covers law, skills, and social context. Jillian is responsible for the online training program for Canadian judges, ensuring they have access to innovative, high-quality resources and on-demand products tailored to their needs, such as asynchronous self-paced courses, podcasts, webinars, resource centers, and electronic hearing binders.
Jillian is a bilingual lawyer and a member of the Ontario Bar. After completing her legal studies, she gained invaluable experience as a clerk to the Honourable Beverley McLachlin, then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and as a criminal and human rights lawyer at Scott & Oleskiw in Toronto. She is a Trudeau Foundation and Fulbright Scholar, holds a Master of Laws from Columbia University, and is an award-winning instructor at both Queen’s University Faculty of Law and Carleton University. Previously the Director of In-Person Education at the NJI, and with experience working with the NJI in international judicial training and institutional strengthening, Jillian brings to her role 15 years of experience working with judges, justice stakeholders, community members, academics, and experts in support of the rule of law and public confidence in our judicial system.
Jillian is a bilingual lawyer and a member of the Ontario Bar. After completing her legal studies, she gained invaluable experience as a clerk to the Honourable Beverley McLachlin, then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, and as a criminal and human rights lawyer at Scott & Oleskiw in Toronto. She is a Trudeau Foundation and Fulbright Scholar, holds a Master of Laws from Columbia University, and is an award-winning instructor at both Queen’s University Faculty of Law and Carleton University. Previously the Director of In-Person Education at the NJI, and with experience working with the NJI in international judicial training and institutional strengthening, Jillian brings to her role 15 years of experience working with judges, justice stakeholders, community members, academics, and experts in support of the rule of law and public confidence in our judicial system.
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