Human Rights in Practice

How do human rights get translated into positive change in people’s lives? In this course we will review human rights instruments, consider who is responsible for protecting rights, and explore how international HR law is developed and used by Governments, the UN, and NGOs. We will use case studies from the instructor’s and guest speakers’ experience around child rights, economic inequity, migration, disability and restorative justice. Students may focus their writing and presentation assignments on these or other HR topics. Papers and class exercises will simulate real-life efforts to advance human rights through media, advocacy and UN work.



Alexandra Yuster worked for UNICEF for over 30 years, and has lived and worked in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Her interests, experience and networks include health, immigration, poverty and inequality, public finance, child protection and LGBTQ issues – focusing on strategies for systemic change./