Friday, December 5, 2024, TORONTO: Journalists for Human Rights was proud to support our partners at Resilient Societies for the Toronto launch of the Resilience Network, a global initiative that empowers exiled democracy, civil society, and human rights advocates to continue their advocacy and civic engagement in a safe and supportive environment.
The Resilience Network (FR) aims to help exiled activists and human rights defenders to adapt and reorganize, build professional networks and skills, integrate into new environments, and build solidarity to counter the growing repression of civic space. Providing placement in host institutions will be a central component of this initiative.
“The launch of the Resilience Network is a milestone in our collective effort to support exiled democracy advocates and human rights defenders in rebuilding their lives and continuing their vital work,” shared Maiwand Rahyab, founder and CEO of Resilient Societies, with JHR. “At a time when civic space is under attack globally, the Resilience Network provides a lifeline for these courageous individuals who refuse to be silenced.”
The Resilience Network’s launch in Toronto was celebrated at the event ‘Solidarity Across Borders’, a discussion forum held at Massey College on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. The forum highlighted the challenges faced by exiled activists and human rights defenders in Canada, the need to support their continued activism, and Canada’s responsibility to ensure their ability to do so.
“This gathering takes place at a pivotal moment in our history,” said Nurjehan Mawani, Chair in Global Engagement at Massey College, during her remarks at the launch. “Civic spaces worldwide are shrinking. Polarization and authoritarianism are on the rise. The very foundations of democracy are under attack. These challenges demand bold and brave leadership. They call for initiatives that break new ground and offer innovative solutions. The Resilience Network is one such initiative — a beacon of hope and action. It has the potential to transform how exiled communities are supported and empowered globally, enabling them to resist repression and rebuild civic spaces wherever they are.”
At the event, the audience had the privilege of hearing keynote remarks from Hon. Ratna Omidvar, former senator and a globally recognized leader on issues of migration, diversity, and inclusion.
Drawing from her tenure as a legislator as well as her personal experience of settling in Canada in the early 1980s, Senator Omidwar said: “As a country, like no other that I know, we are brave enough to look at ourselves in the mirror and recognize that we have done wrong in our past and we try to set things right. And this search for truth, justice and reconciliation is at the core of who we are. And then when you combine it with the inherent question about who or what is Canada, my response to that is it’s always evolving. It will always change. It will always be in search of perfection. These two qualities — search for justice, truth, and reconciliation along with our evolving identity — are a national expression of resiliency. So my Canada is a resilient Canada. It is a country of aspiration, self-reflection and self-correction. And my Canada is not afraid of an evolving identity.”
The audience also had the opportunity to learn from a powerhouse panel moderated by JHR President Rachel Pulfer, who posed questions about the unique challenges and needs of international journalists and human rights defenders resettling in Canada. The panelists included Sadia Zaman, CEO of Inspirit Foundation, Mostafa Al-Asar, Egyptian journalist and CJFE/Massey College journalism fellow, Sheng Xue, democracy activist and writer, and Chris Eaton, COO of the Aga Khan Museum and interim Chair of Resilient Societies. Watch the event recording here.
Other distinguished speakers at the event included Payam Akhavan, inaugural chair of Human Rights at Massey College; Odette McCarthy, Executive Director of Equitas; and journalist Omayra Issa, who served as the MC for the event.
