Just Access

In this special episode of the Just Access Podcast, host Dr. Miranda Melcher dives into inspiring conversations with Dr. Tom Sparks, Director of Just Access, and Cvetanka Kiroska, Head of Projects. This episode continues the Season 3 launch in celebration of International Human Rights Day and the podcast's second anniversary.

Highlights of the Episode:

1.    Cvetanka Kiroska’s Journey

• Growing up during Yugoslavia's turbulent collapse and finding refuge in literature, music, and languages.
• Her path from translating and interpreting to working on conflict resolution and multi-ethnic education projects in Macedonia.
• Eye-opening experiences in international human rights, including working with families of missing persons in the Balkans and NGOs assisting refugees.
• Joining Just Access and shaping the organization’s impactful projects.

2.    Dr. Tom Sparks’ Path to Leadership

• From participating in mock trials as a teen to studying law and specializing in international law.
• His advocacy journey with Amnesty International, learning human rights governance, and leading impactful initiatives.
• Transitioning from academia to Just Access to combine legal expertise with practical human rights work.

3.    Behind the Scenes of the Podcast

• The origin story of the Just Access Podcast and the creative process behind its production.
• Insights into the team’s vision: amplifying human rights stories and inspiring everyone to be a defender of justice.
• Challenges and rewards of launching a podcast from scratch.

4.    Dream Guests

• Guests they aspire to feature, including global leaders like UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türck, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, and activist Omar Alshogre.
• Highlighting the importance of showcasing both prominent figures and everyday heroes advocating for justice.

5.    Just Access in Action

• The organization's three pillars: Strategic Litigation, Advocacy, and Education.
• Dr. Sparks shares how the podcast is central to educating and inspiring listeners worldwide.
• Ways to get involved: internships, volunteering, donations, and more.

Inspired by this episode? Here’s how you can support Just Access:

• Share the podcast with friends and on social media.
• Explore the blog and other resources on Just Access's website.
• Volunteer or donate to support human rights and access to justice.

🎙️ Tune in, Subscribe, and Support:

Rate and review us on your favorite podcast app and let us know your thoughts at [email protected]. Together, let’s make a difference—because you too can be a human rights defender!

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🔔 Episode Summary:

Welcome to Season 3 of Just Access! As we celebrated our two-year anniversary and International Human Rights Day, we bring you a special two-part episode exploring the mission and origins of Just Access. In this first part, host Dr. Miranda Melcher sits down with Dr. Mark Somos, the founder of Just Access and a leading figure in human rights law.

Mark shares his powerful journey: from a childhood in communist Hungary marked by poverty, resistance, and secret acts of solidarity, to an inspiring career advising governments, winning landmark human rights cases, and founding Just Access. Through personal stories and professional insights, Mark reflects on the lifelong importance of human rights and access to justice.

We also discuss the role of the podcast in furthering Just Access’s mission — empowering everyone to be a human rights defender — and Mark shares a dream list of potential guests whose voices could amplify these conversations. From global leaders to innovative scholars, his list inspires us to think big about the future of human rights.

🔑 Key Topics Discussed:

•Mark’s upbringing in communist Hungary and how human rights shaped his early life.

•The experiences and activism that led to the founding of Just Access in 2020.

•Why a podcast became part of Just Access’s vision to reach new audiences and foster collaboration.

•Dream guests for future episodes — from Aung San Suu Kyi to experts on climate change, international law, and technology.

•Mark’s reflections on raising the next generation of human rights defenders.

🌟 Guest Bio:

Dr. Mark Somos is the founder of Just Access and a Heisenberg Professor at the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law. A lawyer, scholar, and human rights advocate, Mark has represented clients before the International Court of Justice, the UN Human Rights Council, and other global forums. He is the author of five books and over 60 scholarly articles.

🎧 Tune In Next Time:

In part two of this special, Dr. Miranda Melcher will be joined by Just Access’s current director, Dr. Tom Sparks, and Cvetanka Kiroska, Head of Projects, to discuss where the organization and podcast are heading next.

📢 Follow & Support Us:

•Website: Just Access

•Subscribe to the podcast on [Spotify/Apple Podcasts/Your Preferred Platform]

•Follow us on social media: [Twitter/LinkedIn/Facebook/Bluesky/Mastodon/Instagram/TikTok]

🎤 Have Feedback or Suggestions?

We’d love to hear from you! Contact us at: [email protected]

💰You can also support us by donating at: https://just-access.de/donate/

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In this insightful continuation of our conversation with Bora Un and Anna Schroeder from Art Works Projects (AWP), we delve deeper into the organization’s impactful work in human rights storytelling. Building on the foundation set in the previous episode, we explore their current projects, collaborative processes, and lessons learned from years of advocacy through visual storytelling.

Key Highlights:

• Current Projects at AWP: Bora and Anna share updates on AWP’s latest initiatives, including their collaborations with photographers and storytellers tackling global issues such as migration, forced displacement, and cultural preservation.
• Collaborative Storytelling: insights into how AWP fosters meaningful partnerships with communities, photographers, and global networks to amplify underrepresented voices in human rights narratives.
• Measuring Impact: Anna explains how AWP uses tools like community feedback and mentorship programs to evaluate the social and personal impact of their projects on both audiences and collaborators.
• Lessons Learned: Reflections on the challenges and successes encountered in their mission to create change through visual advocacy.

Why Listen?

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of art, advocacy, and impact. Learn how AWP empowers storytellers and communities alike while driving awareness on pressing human rights issues.

Links & Resources:

   •   Art Works Projects: artworksprojects.org

   •   Emerging Lens Fellowship Program: artworksprojects.org/emerging-lens

Support the Podcast:

Enjoy the episode? Don’t forget to rate, share, and recommend it! You can also support us by donating at: https://just-access.de/donate/

Let us know your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more conversations on storytelling and justice!

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In this episode, Dr. Miranda Melcher sits down with Bora Un, the Managing Director, and Anne Schroeter, the Impact Consultant, from Art Works Project (AWP), a nonprofit dedicated to visual advocacy and human rights storytelling. Bora and Anne share their passion for visual storytelling as a tool for change and provide insights into how AWP works on various impactful projects.

Key Highlights::

• Introduction to Art Works Project (AWP): Bora and Anne explain the mission of AWP, which produces high-impact human rights campaigns through various forms of visual storytelling, including photography exhibitions, interactive websites, and large-scale public installations.

• Human Rights Through Visual Storytelling: Bora discusses how AWP’s storytelling campaigns tackle global human rights issues such as forced displacement, immigration, and migration, with particular focus on the U.S. context and sanctuary cities.

• Emerging Lens Fellowship Program: Bora explains how AWP fosters emerging storytellers from within the communities they aim to highlight, creating opportunities for long-term partnerships and professional development in the documentary field.

• Current and Future Projects: Bora and Anne give an overview of AWP’s ongoing projects, including collaborations with photographers like Oscar Castillo and Will Sands on deportation and migration, as well as a cultural preservation project by rising star Astrig Agopian.

• Strategic Decision-Making at AWP: Bora elaborates on AWP’s decision-making process when selecting project focuses, balancing thematic relevance, social impact, and resource capacity. She also discusses how AWP measures impact through collaboration with communities, photographers, and global networks.

• The Role of Impact Assessment: Anne delves into AWP’s approach to assessing the impact of its projects, using tools like surveys, community feedback, and the mentorship of emerging photographers to ensure both the personal and social benefits of their work.

Key Takeaways:

   •   AWP emphasizes long-term relationships with collaborators, photographers, and affected communities.

   •   Visual storytelling can be a powerful tool for raising awareness and creating change in human rights issues.

   •   AWP’s work goes beyond traditional documentary filmmaking to include mentorship, field guides, and best practices for other storytellers.

   •   Impact is not just about how the audience receives the work, but also how it contributes to the careers of photographers and the communities involved.

In the next episode, we’ll continue our conversation with Bora and Anne, diving deeper into specific projects and how AWP’s approach to collaboration and storytelling is improving access to justice worldwide.

Links & Resources:

   •   Art Works Project: https://www.artworksprojects.org/

   •   The Prosecutors Documentary: https://www.artworksprojects.org/our-work/the-prosecutors/

   •   Emerging Lens Fellowship Program: https://www.artworksprojects.org/emerging-lens/

Enjoy listening!

Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!

Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, our host, Dr. Miranda Melcher, speaks with Dana Rösiger, a talented photographer and human rights advocate, who collaborates with NGO’s like DISCOVER FOOTBALL, Equal Playing Field or Women Win, fighting for a world in which girls and women can do sports without being discriminated against. Dana shares her unique perspective on documenting human rights issues through photography and the powerful role that visual storytelling plays in advocating for justice.

Dana’s work brings the stories of those affected by human rights abuses to a broader audience, illuminating the realities faced by vulnerable communities. In her conversation with Dr. Melcher, Dana discusses the challenges and responsibilities of capturing sensitive subjects, her creative process, and how photography can be a vital tool in raising awareness and inspiring change.

Why Listen?

Tune in to gain insight into the world of human rights photography, learn how images can drive advocacy, and understand the impact of storytelling on justice and public perception.

Key Highlights:

• The Power of Photography in Human Rights Advocacy: Dana describes the emotional and societal impact of her work and how photographs can convey complex issues to the public, prompting empathy and action.

• Challenges in Documenting Sensitive Topics: Dana discusses the ethical and logistical challenges she faces in her work, especially when photographing subjects in vulnerable situations. She also explains how she ensures that her work respects the dignity and privacy of those she captures.

• Connecting with Audiences through Visual Storytelling: Dana and Dr. Melcher explore the ways in which photography can bridge gaps in understanding and make human rights issues more relatable and urgent for a global audience.

Additional Information:

• Learn More about Dana Rösiger here: https://www.danaroesiger.com/profil/

Keywords: Human Rights Photography, Visual Storytelling, Advocacy, Just Access e.V., Human Rights Documentation, Photography Ethics, Justice, Empathy in Photography.

Enjoy listening!

Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us, and share this episode to spread the word about the power of photography in human rights advocacy.

Enjoy listening!

Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!

Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, our host, Dr. Melcher, is joined by Dr. Christopher Robertson, a professor at Boston University, and Dr. Louise King, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Together they explore groundbreaking research recently published by these two co-authors in the Emory Law Journal. The article, titled "Structural Sex Discrimination: Why Gynecology Patients Suffer Avoidable Injuries and What the Law Can Do About It", delves into the systemic challenges and legal implications faced by gynecology patients.They discuss their motivations for researching this topic, their main findings, and the shocking realities faced by gynecology patients. The conversation highlights actionable steps listeners can take to contribute to solving these issues.

Why Listen?

Tune in to learn more about structural discrimination in gynecology and the legal strategies that can lead to better healthcare outcomes for all.

Key Highlights:

   •   The inspiration behind the article and why gynecology patients often face avoidable injuries.

   •   Insights into the systemic discrimination within gynecology and how legal frameworks can evolve to offer better protection and care.

   •   Personal experiences shared by Dr. Louise King on how these issues impact her work and the broader medical community.

Additional Information:

   •   Read the Full Article: Published in 2024 in the Emory Law Journal here: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4800783, or here: https://scholarship.law.bu.edu/faculty_scholarship/3797/

Keywords: Structural Sex Discrimination, Gynecology Patients, Avoidable Injuries, Legal Frameworks, Human Rights Advocacy, Access to Justice, Health Policy, Emory Law Journal, Medical Discrimination.

Enjoy listening!

Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!

Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/

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In this episode, we continue the conversation with Ida Manton about her work as a trainer and scholar in the field of negotiations, mediation, and conflict management. In the first part of the interview, we discussed her career and work in this field, and in this episode we talk about where she sees the biggest gaps in access to justice and ways we can work to address them.

Key Highlights:

• Negotiation skills: What are the main skills negotiators need to develop?
• Major challenges: What are the key challenges that come up in negotiation and mediation?
• Examples of successful negotiations
• Just Access Gaps: what are the major gaps in access to justice?

Why Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how negotiation skills can be used to defend human rights.

Call to Action:

• Stay tuned for our next podcast conversation: with Christopher Robertson and Louise P. King, about their article on "Structural Sex Discrimination: Why Gynecology Patients Suffer Avoidable Injuries and What the Law Can Do About It".
• Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!
• Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect human rights and their defenders.

Keywords: Negotiations, Mediation, Conflict management, Human rights defenders, podcast episode, Just Access.

Enjoy listening!

Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!

Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking to Ida Manton about her work as a trainer and scholar in the field of negotiations, mediation, and conflict management. In this first part of the interview, we discuss her career and work in this field, and in our second episode with Ida, we will talk about where she sees the biggest gaps in access to justice and ways we can work to address them.

Key Highlights:

• First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Ida Manton and her journey to becoming a negotiation expert.
• Negotiation and Mediation: What is the difference?
• Gaining negotiation skills: how can one learn to negotiate?
• Applying negotiation skills: what are the different fields where negotiation sills can be useful?

Why Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how negotiation skills can be used to defend human rights.

Call to Action:

• Stay tuned for our next podcast conversation: with Christopher Robertson and Louise P. King, about their article on "Structural Sex Discrimination: Why Gynecology Patients Suffer Avoidable Injuries and What the Law Can Do About It".
• Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!
• Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect human rights and their defenders.

Keywords: Negotiations, Mediation, Conflict management, Human rights defenders, podcast episode, Just Access.

Enjoy listening!

Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!

Support the podcast by donating here: https://just-access.de/donate/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking to Mary Lawlor, who is currently Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2020. She is also the founder of Frontline Defenders and has had various positions with Amnesty International. We talk about her remarkable career and and everything she's done for human rights.

Key Highlights:

• What are Human Rights Defenders: Learn about the human rights activism and the risks it may entail.
• First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Mary Lawlor and her day-to-day work as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.
• Special Rapporteurs on Human Rights: how cases are prioritised and how they communicate with each other.
• Special Procedures: how effective are they?
• Access to Justice: The discussion highlights the significant challenges in ensuring access to justice for human rights defenders and human rights in general due to lack of political will of member states and impunity as major obstacle.

Why Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in being a human rights defender, understanding special procedures and the challenges of the mechanism.

Call to Action:

• Stay tuned for our next podcast conversation: with Ida Manton, international negotiations specialist.
• Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!
• Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect human rights and their defenders.
• Please visit Frontline Defenders if you might want to help or support with a donation.

Keywords: Human rights defenders, special rapporteur, special procedures, podcast episode, Just Access.

Enjoy listening!

Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we have the pleasure of continuing the conversation with Dr. Ashfaq Kalfan, who is the Director of Climate Justice at Oxfam USA. We continue our conversation from the previous episode, where we talked more about his career, focusing on socio economic human rights, and moving into strategic climate litigation. And here we go into more detail about climate justice, what is happening in the world of strategic climate litigation, as well as his perspectives on human rights and how they can be improved to increase access to justice for all. We hope you enjoy the second part of our conversation.

Key Highlights:

• Learn About Strategic Climate Litigation: Learn about the international laws and courts governing climate change and strategic litigation as means of holding states accountable.
• First-Hand Experience: Explore the experiences of Dr. Ashfaq Khalfan with working on climate change litigation and socio-economic rights, i.a. with Amnesty International, Oxfam USA and the Center for International Sustainable Development Law.
• Social Justice Issues: empowering, equipping change-makers around the world to be able to understand how international law can be used in their work.
• Access to Justice: The discussion highlights the significant challenges in ensuring access to justice for climate change through strategic litigation

Why Listen? This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in environmental justice, climate change, strategic litigation, human rights, freedom of speech!

Call to Action:

• Stay tuned for part two, where we continue the conversation with Ashfaq Khalfan!
• Follow and share the Podcast to make sure you never miss an episode!
• Stay informed and take action by advocating for sustainable practices and supporting policies that protect our environment and human rights.

Keywords: Climate change, climate emergency, climate crisis, climate Justice, environmental justice, socio-economic rights, sustainable development law, human rights, podcast episode, Just Access.

Enjoy listening!

Don’t forget to rate us, recommend us and share on social media!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.