🔔 Episode Summary:
Welcome to Season 3 of Just Access! As we celebrated our two-year anniversary and International Human Rights Day, we bring you a special two-part episode exploring the mission and origins of Just Access. In this first part, host Dr. Miranda Melcher sits down with Dr. Mark Somos, the founder of Just Access and a leading figure in human rights law.
Mark shares his powerful journey: from a childhood in communist Hungary marked by poverty, resistance, and secret acts of solidarity, to an inspiring career advising governments, winning landmark human rights cases, and founding Just Access. Through personal stories and professional insights, Mark reflects on the lifelong importance of human rights and access to justice.
We also discuss the role of the podcast in furthering Just Access’s mission — empowering everyone to be a human rights defender — and Mark shares a dream list of potential guests whose voices could amplify these conversations. From global leaders to innovative scholars, his list inspires us to think big about the future of human rights.
🔑 Key Topics Discussed:
\t•\tMark’s upbringing in communist Hungary and how human rights shaped his early life.
\t•\tThe experiences and activism that led to the founding of Just Access in 2020.
\t•\tWhy a podcast became part of Just Access’s vision to reach new audiences and foster collaboration.
\t•\tDream guests for future episodes — from Aung San Suu Kyi to experts on climate change, international law, and technology.
\t•\tMark’s reflections on raising the next generation of human rights defenders.
🌟 Guest Bio:
Dr. Mark Somos is the founder of Just Access and a Heisenberg Professor at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law. A lawyer, scholar, and human rights advocate, Mark has represented clients before the International Court of Justice, the UN Human Rights Council, and other global forums. He is the author of five books and over 60 scholarly articles.
🎧 Tune In Next Time:
In part two of this special, Dr. Miranda Melcher will be joined by Just Access’s current director, Dr. Tom Sparks, and Cvetanka Kiroska, Head of Projects, to discuss where the organization and podcast are heading next.
📢 Follow & Support Us:
\t•\tWebsite: Just Access
\t•\tSubscribe to the podcast on [Spotify/Apple Podcasts/Your Preferred Platform]
\t•\tFollow us on social media: [Twitter/LinkedIn/Facebook/Bluesky/Mastodon/Instagram/TikTok]
🎤 Have Feedback or Suggestions?
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