Just Access

In this episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher sits down with Bora Un, the Managing Director, and Anne Schroeter, the Impact Consultant, from Art Works Project (AWP), a nonprofit dedicated to visual advocacy and human rights storytelling. Bora and Anne share their passion for visual storytelling as a tool for change and provide insights into how AWP works on various impactful projects.Key Highlights::Introduction to Art Works Project (AWP): Bora and Anne explain the mission of AWP, which produces high-impact human rights campaigns through various forms of visual storytelling, including photography exhibitions, interactive websites, and large-scale public installations.Human Rights Through Visual Storytelling: Bora discusses how AWP’s storytelling campaigns tackle global human rights issues such as forced displacement, immigration, and migration, with particular focus on the U.S. context and sanctuary cities.Emerging Lens Fellowship Program: Bora explains how AWP fosters emerging storytellers from within the communities they aim to highlight, creating opportunities for long-term partnerships and professional development in the documentary field.Current and Future Projects: Bora and Anne give an overview of AWP’s ongoing projects, including collaborations with photographers like Oscar Castillo and Will Sands on deportation and migration, as well as a cultural preservation project by rising star Astrig Agopian.Strategic Decision-Making at AWP: Bora elaborates on AWP’s decision-making process when selecting project focuses, balancing thematic relevance, social impact, and resource capacity. She also discusses how AWP measures impact through collaboration with communities, photographers, and global networks.The Role of Impact Assessment: Anne delves into AWP’s approach to assessing the impact of its projects, using tools like surveys, community feedback, and the mentorship of emerging photographers to ensure both the personal and social benefits of their work.Key Takeaways:   •   AWP emphasizes long-term relationships with collaborators, photographers, and affected communities.   •   Visual storytelling can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and creating change in human rights issues.   •   AWP’s work goes beyond traditional documentary filmmaking to include mentorship, field guides, and best practices for other storytellers.   •   Impact is not just about how the audience receives the work, but also how it contributes to the careers of photographers and the communities involved.In the next episode, we’ll continue our conversation with Bora and Anne, diving deeper into specific projects and how AWP’s approach to collaboration and storytelling is improving access to justice worldwide.Links & Resources:   •   Art Works Project: https://www.artworksprojects.org/   •   The Prosecutors Documentary: https://www.artworksprojects.org/our-work/the-prosecutors/   •   Emerging Lens Fellowship Program: https://www.artworksprojects.org/emerging-lens/  Enjoy listening!Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/

In this episode, our host, Dr. Miranda Melcher, speaks with Dana Rösiger, a talented photographer and human rights advocate, who collaborates with NGO’s like DISCOVER FOOTBALL, Equal Playing Field or Women Win, fighting for a world in which girls and women can do sports without being discriminated against. Dana shares her unique perspective on documenting human rights issues through photography and the powerful role that visual storytelling plays in advocating for justice.Dana’s work brings the stories of those affected by human rights abuses to a broader audience, illuminating the realities faced by vulnerable communities. In her conversation with Dr. Melcher, Dana discusses the challenges and responsibilities of capturing sensitive subjects, her creative process, and how photography can be a vital tool in raising awareness and inspiring change.Why Listen?Tune in to gain insight into the world of human rights photography, learn how images can drive advocacy, and understand the impact of storytelling on justice and public perception.Key Highlights:• The Power of Photography in Human Rights Advocacy: Dana describes the emotional and societal impact of her work and how photographs can convey complex issues to the public, prompting empathy and action.• Challenges in Documenting Sensitive Topics: Dana discusses the ethical and logistical challenges she faces in her work, especially when photographing subjects in vulnerable situations. She also explains how she ensures that her work respects the dignity and privacy of those she captures.• Connecting with Audiences through Visual Storytelling: Dana and Dr. Melcher explore the ways in which photography can bridge gaps in understanding and make human rights issues more relatable and urgent for a global audience.Additional Information:• Learn More about Dana Rösiger here: https://www.danaroesiger.com/profil/Keywords: Human Rights Photography, Visual Storytelling, Advocacy, Just Access e.V., Human Rights Documentation, Photography Ethics, Justice, Empathy in Photography.Enjoy listening!Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us, and share this episode to spread the word about the power of photography in human rights advocacy.Enjoy listening!Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/

In this episode, our host, Dr. Melcher, is joined by Dr. Christopher Robertson, a professor at Boston University, and Dr. Louise King, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Together they explore groundbreaking research recently published by these two co-authors in the Emory Law Journal. The article, titled "Structural Sex Discrimination: Why Gynecology Patients Suffer Avoidable Injuries and What the Law Can Do About It", delves into the systemic challenges and legal implications faced by gynecology patients.They discuss their motivations for researching this topic, their main findings, and the shocking realities faced by gynecology patients. The conversation highlights actionable steps listeners can take to contribute to solving these issues.Why Listen?Tune in to learn more about structural discrimination in gynecology and the legal strategies that can lead to better healthcare outcomes for all.Key Highlights:   •   The inspiration behind the article and why gynecology patients often face avoidable injuries.   •   Insights into the systemic discrimination within gynecology and how legal frameworks can evolve to offer better protection and care.   •   Personal experiences shared by Dr. Louise King on how these issues impact her work and the broader medical community.Additional Information:   •   Read the Full Article: Published in 2024 in the Emory Law Journal here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4800783, or here: https://scholarship.law.bu.edu/faculty_scholarship/3797/Keywords: Structural Sex Discrimination, Gynecology Patients, Avoidable Injuries, Legal Frameworks, Human Rights Advocacy, Access to Justice, Health Policy, Emory Law Journal, Medical Discrimination.Enjoy listening!Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/

In this episode, we continue the conversation with Ida Manton about her work as a trainer and scholar in the field of negotiations, mediation, and conflict management. In the first part of the interview, we discussed her career and work in this field, and in this episode we talk about where she sees the biggest gaps in access to justice and ways we can work to address them.Key Highlights:Negotiation skills: What are the main skills negotiators need to develop? Major challenges: What are the key challenges that come up in negotiation and mediation? Examples of successful negotiationsJust Access Gaps: what are the major gaps in access to justice?Why Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how negotiation skills can be used to defend human rights.Call to Action:Stay tuned for our next podcast conversation: with Christopher Robertson and Louise P. King, about their article on "Structural Sex Discrimination: Why Gynecology Patients Suffer Avoidable Injuries and What the Law Can Do About It".Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect human rights and their defenders.Keywords: Negotiations, Mediation, Conflict management, Human rights defenders, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking to Ida Manton about her work as a trainer and scholar in the field of negotiations, mediation, and conflict management. In this first part of the interview, we discuss her career and work in this field, and in our second episode with Ida, we will talk about where she sees the biggest gaps in access to justice and ways we can work to address them.Key Highlights:First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Ida Manton and her journey to becoming a negotiation expert.Negotiation and Mediation: What is the difference?Gaining negotiation skills: how can one learn to negotiate?Applying negotiation skills: what are the different fields where negotiation sills can be useful?Why Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how negotiation skills can be used to defend human rights.Call to Action:Stay tuned for our next podcast conversation: with Christopher Robertson and Louise P. King, about their article on "Structural Sex Discrimination: Why Gynecology Patients Suffer Avoidable Injuries and What the Law Can Do About It".Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect human rights and their defenders.Keywords: Negotiations, Mediation, Conflict management, Human rights defenders, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media! Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking to Mary Lawlor, who is currently Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2020. She is also the founder of Frontline Defenders and has had various positions with Amnesty International. We talk about her remarkable career and and everything she's done for human rights.Key Highlights:What are Human Rights Defenders: Learn about the human rights activism and the risks it may entail.First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Mary Lawlor and her day-to-day work as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights: how cases are prioritised and how they communicate with each other.Special Procedures: how effective are they?Access to Justice: The discussion highlights the significant challenges in ensuring access to justice for human rights defenders and human rights in general due to lack of political will of member states and impunity as major obstacle.Why Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in being a human rights defender, understanding special procedures and the challenges of the mechanism.Call to Action:Stay tuned for our next podcast conversation: with Ida Manton, international negotiations specialist.Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect human rights and their defenders.Please visit Frontline Defenders if you might want to help or support with a donation.Keywords: Human rights defenders, special rapporteur, special procedures, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!

In this episode, we have the pleasure of continuing the conversation with Dr. Ashfaq Kalfan, who is the Director of Climate Justice at Oxfam USA. We continue our conversation from the previous episode, where we talked more about his career, focusing on socio economic human rights, and moving into strategic climate litigation. And here we go into more detail about climate justice, what is happening in the world of strategic climate litigation, as well as his perspectives on human rights and how they can be improved to increase access to justice for all. We hope you enjoy the second part of our conversation.Key Highlights:Learn About Strategic Climate Litigation: Learn about the international laws and courts governing climate change and strategic litigation as means of holding states accountable.First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Dr. Ashfaq Khalfan with working on climate change litigation and socio-economic rights, i.a. with Amnesty International, Oxfam USA and the Center for International Sustainable Development Law.Social Justice Issues: empowering, equipping change-makers around the world to be able to understand how international law can be used in their work.Access to Justice: The discussion highlights the significant challenges in ensuring access to justice for climate change through strategic litigationWhy Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in environmental justice, climate change, strategic litigation, human rights, freedom of speech!Call to Action:Stay tuned for part two, where we continue the conversation with Ashfaq Khalfan!Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect our environment and human rights.Keywords: Climate change, climate emergency, climate crisis, climate Justice, environmental justice, socio-economic rights, sustainable development law, human rights, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking to Dr. Ashfaq Khalfan, who is the Director of Climate Justice at Oxfam USA. In this first part of our conversation, we speak about his interest in human rights, specifically socioeconomic human rights, and his career so far, including a current focus on climate change strategic litigation. In the second part of our conversation, we will talk more about what's happening in the world of strategic climate litigation, all the way up at the level of the International Court of Justice, what his team is working on for this, and what he thinks Areas might be to look out for in the future on this topic.Key Highlights:Learn About Strategic Climate Litigation: Learn about the international laws and courts governing climate change and strategic litigation as means of holding states accountable. First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Dr. Ashfaq Khalfan with working on climate change litigation and socio-economic rights, i.a. with Amnesty International, Oxfam USA and the Center for International Sustainable Development Law. Social Justice Issues: empowering, equipping change-makers around the world to be able to understand how international law can be used in their work.Access to Justice: The discussion highlights the significant challenges in ensuring access to justice for climate change through strategic litigationWhy Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in environmental justice, climate change, strategic litigation, human rights, freedom of speech!Call to Action:Stay tuned for part two, where we continue the conversation with Ashfaq Khalfan!Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect our environment and human rights.Keywords: Climate change, climate emergency, climate crisis, climate Justice, environmental justice, socio-economic rights, sustainable development law, human rights, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!

In this episode, we have the pleasure of continuing the conversation with two fabulous guests who I've been talking about climate protest in the Netherlands, Germany, and beyond in our previous episode. One of our guests is Mirjam Hermann, a climate activist and law student. Our second guest is Juanita van Lunen, an attorney at The Hague working on criminal law and demonstration rights. In this second part of our conversation, we continue discussing their experiences with climate protests, as well as their recommendations for how law students, lawyers, and the general public can get involved.Key Highlights:Learn About Climate Protests: Learn about the fraught and controversial world of disruptive protests on climate change.First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Juanita van Lunen and Mirjam Herrmann and legal advisors to protestors.Environmental Catastrophe: Understand the urgency which leads climate protestors to pursue increasingly disruptive forms of protest to demand action on climate change.Social Justice Issues: Gain a deeper understanding of the difficult balance which must be struck between the right to protest and the rights of others to go about their lives without undue disruption.Access to Justice: The discussion highlights the significant challenges in ensuring access to justice for climate protestors who have increasingly been criminalised, brutalised, and even cast as terrorists in their pursuit of climate justice.About Our Guests:Juanita van Lunen is a criminal law attorney in the Hague, and specialises in demonstrations law. She regularly advises climate protestors, both before and during protests, and following arrest.Mirjam Herrmann is a law student and climate activist, and one of the first climate protestors in Germany to be imprisoned under anti-climate-protest laws. She is a member of the association Rückendeckung für eine aktive Zivilgesellschaft (RAZ) e.V., which provides legal and psychological support to Letzte Generation and other climate activist groupsWhy Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in environmental justice, climate change, human rights, freedom of speech!Call to Action:Stay tuned for part two, as well as our next podcast conversation: with Ashfaq Khalfan, Director of Climate Justice at Oxfam USA!Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect our environment and human rights.Please visit https://raz-ev.org/unterstuetzen/ if you might want to help or support with a donation.Keywords: Climate change, climate emergency, climate crisis, climate Justice, environmental justice, climate protest, right to protest, freedom of speech, Klimakleber, Extinction Rebellion, Letzte Generation, human rights, podcast episode, Just Access.Enjoy listening!Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!