Clarisse Fagard, EMA 2023, Board Member

EMAlumni- What Can We Build Together?

After working or studying in the field of human rights over the past few years, one surprising truth became very clear to me: although the human rights field seems vast and competitive, it is actually quite a small world. What stood out even more is how, regardless of the human rights institution, event, LinkedIn post, or conference, it is remarkably easy to come across EMA alumni. This realisation is what made me want to invest in this network.

The EMA Alumni network brings together generations of human rights defenders—with different areas of expertise, perspectives, interests, and careers—yet we are all connected through this shared Master’s. This is why I would like to join the Board. I believe the network holds great potential—beyond just offering visibility to recent and past graduates, or running social media platforms - although essential to the network.

I see a network that can provide both internal and external support on topics that matter: business and human rights, mental health, migration, children's rights, amongst many others. The human rights field is struggling—especially in these past months. Between the evident fact that human rights depend on states' willingness to enforce and, crucially, to fund them, it is time to think about how our own community can reclaim its agency. To rethink how we respond to today’s challenges: being vocal in new ways about serious international violations, supporting each other through financial uncertainty, and showing that this network is a source of real solidarity.

I believe this network holds incredible opportunities—both internally and externally.
Internally, because when someone is facing a career difficulty, a personal situation, a security concern, or is just looking for advice or support—it is often very easy to reach out to an EMA alum. The proximity created by this Master’s makes us approachable. But we need to know who to talk to. What are people’s areas of expertise? What can we offer one another? I believe the network could greatly benefit from highlighting this, and from actively building and drawing on this human capital in the most literal sense.

Externally, this network could become a platform for sharing knowledge, based on our experiences, areas of interest, and availability—offering input to the outside world, helping to raise awareness, strengthen conversations, and vocalise issues in ways that can truly be heard today.

My name is Clarisse. I graduated in 2023 and currently work at the World Organisation Against Torture. I would be thrilled to serve this network with purpose, care, and a deep belief in what we can achieve, all together!