The refugee crisis unfolding during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a prominent reminder that the world continues to confront myriad issues related to human rights and global justice. These include vaccine equity amid a global pandemic, food insecurity, women’s rights, racial discrimination, and many more.
Opposing Injustice
A gift to Perry World House will support programming and student opportunities in the realms of human rights and global justice
Published: March 24, 2022
“There is no part of the world that remains unscathed by human rights abuses and global justice inequities – some of which make headlines and some of which remain hidden,” says Michael Horowitz, Richard Perry Professor and Director of Perry World House. “As Penn’s hub for global policy engagement, Perry World House has a long history of integrating issues related to human rights and global justice into our programming, reflective of the unique role we play in bridging students, faculty, and the global policy world.”
Events delving into issues of human rights and global justice are integral to Perry World House programming. On March 1, 2022, Perry World House hosted Global Justice – The Struggle for Women’s Human Rights, with Perry World House Executive Director LaShawn Jefferson and Rangita de Silva de Alwis, Senior Adjunct Professor of Global Leadership and Associate Dean of International Affairs at Penn Law.
A recent gift from Hemal Mirani, G’97, WG’97, PAR’23, and Paritosh Thakore, W’86, PAR’23, will magnify Penn’s ability to enable students to engage with pressing issues affecting countless lives around the world, furthering their growth as global citizens.
“Every day, students walk into Perry World House to gain a deeper understanding of what’s going on around the world and how they can affect meaningful change,” says Horowitz. “This gift offers us a great opportunity to generate new and important programming that creates invaluable experiences for students.”
The Thakores have previously supported the Perry World House Global Order Colloquium, an annual event that convenes a wide range of thought leaders, policymakers, and international leaders. Their new gift establishes the Thakore Family Global Justice and Human Rights Visiting Fellow and the Thakore Family Global Justice and Human Rights Program Fund.
The Thakores have previously supported the Perry World House Global Order Colloquium, an annual event that convenes a wide range of thought leaders, policymakers, and international leaders, such as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former President of Liberia and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (pictured, left). Their new gift establishes the Thakore Family Global Justice and Human Rights Visiting Fellow and the Thakore Family Program in Global Justice and Human Rights.
“We have had many events centered around global justice and human rights, but no formal program,” says Horowitz. “This gift provides the stability and support to expand our reach and broaden the scope of work that is essential to understanding our current global environment.”
In addition to enabling Penn to welcome insightful, expert voices in policymaking and activism who will engage in special student-focused programming and public-facing activities, the gift supports an annual workshop on global justice and human rights. The Thakore Family Program will supplement existing Perry World House initiatives, such as the undergraduate World House Student Fellows Program, offering ample opportunities for students to increase their awareness and shape academic or career goals.
On February 10, 2022, students had an opportunity to join a lunch discussion on racial justice with Dominique Day, a Perry World House Visiting Fellow. Day is the Chair of the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. The Thakore Family Global Justice and Human Rights Visiting Fellow will take part in similar activities that enable students to engage with complex global issues.
“The Thakores’ gift to support visiting scholars and ongoing programming is a testament to Penn’s growing reputation in world affairs and Perry World House’s ability to get the right people in the room to do really hard and necessary work,” says Ezekiel Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives and Diane v.S. Levy and Robert M. Levy University Professor. “I am grateful for the confidence in Penn signaled by this important and timely gift.”
Perry World House Student Fellows embark on annual field trips to Washington, D.C. and New York City, where they meet with key policymakers and other leaders in the global policy arena. The 2021-2022 cohort are shown here with Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Perry World House Professor of Practice of Law and Human Rights and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (front, third from right). Student experiences like these will be enhanced thanks to the Thakore Family Global Justice and Human Rights Program Fund.
