June 2023 Volunteer Highlight: Hitomi Suzuta

What is your current volunteer role at the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights (JHC)?

Committee Member for the Ignite Change Global Human Rights Convention - Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNUDHR); 

How and why did you first get involved with JHC?

I have continuously faced discrimination as a visible minority. As a result, I have a long history of working with social justice groups for equality issues. I began with some of JHC's workshops. I felt that the work that JHC was doing aligned with my values and principles and as a result, I wanted to get involved and contribute where I could.

What are your (volunteer) activities and what do they involve?

I first became involved with JHC as a volunteer to help with various JHC events. I was a facilitator for the province wide program - Action Alberta.

I am now on the Programs & Partnerships Committee and Volunteer Committee for the Ignite Change Global Human Rights Convention for the 75th Anniversary of the UDHR.

How long have you been a volunteer with JHC?

I believe I started with JHC in 2015.

What is it like to volunteer for this initiative?

It has been amazing to work with the JHC team and others on building the 10 day Convention. Considering we started with a concept last year and have almost a full program done, the collective power has helped to bring this together. Everyone has been equally willing to assist in having a successful Convention.

What has surprised you most about this role?

How supportive and willing everyone is to contribute towards the Human Rights Convention.

Are there any learnings/ challenges you have experienced through this work? 

Unfortunately, Human Rights can not be solved overnight but having committed organizations such as JHC working towards that cause moves us towards better understanding of one another. There are many approaches to presenting Human Rights work to others and I think I have been surprised by how well the JHC process works.

I know how challenging the work of Human Rights is since it is often a one-on-one education about what equality/equity means within a changing world. We've spent 75 years trying to educate and sometimes it feels as if we haven't gotten anywhere. I think if we keep working away, though, we can all benefit from these dialogues.