Louchrisha Hussain

Previously, Louchrisha participated in the 28th Annual Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy Training Program (DTP) in Timor-Leste in October 2018 and says that the DTP training had a profound impact on her.

“DTP training is the best. It revealed the significance of practical, hands-on approaches when interacting with local communities and NGOs. Following the training I returned to my work at CCF with a renewed sense of purpose and determination to create a positive impact in the communities we worked with.”

Louchrisha was working with the Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF), one of Fiji’s known local human rights NGOs focused on advancing human rights through community education and advocacy initiatives. Louchrisa was involved in managing CCF’s programs to eliminate discrimination, address human right violations and promote the rights of marginalized groups in society such as LGBTIQ.  Louchrisha served as CCF’s CEO from 2018 until earlier this year when she took up a regional position with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Recalling her DTP training, Louchrisha said that it gave her a great understanding of the advocacy process.

“The two-week training was intense but it covered incredibly valuable and useful content and materials including essential topics such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), and media advocacy. DTP training emphasized the crucial role that advocacy plays throughout the entire UPR process, from preparation to post-review follow-up.”

Louchrisha describes DTP as a supportive parent, offering guidance, assistance and support years after the training concludes. In her view, the lasting connections formed with trainers and fellow alumni create a network of solidarity, allowing human rights activists from different countries to share and unite on common issues. Through this network, Louchrisha has been able to access valuable information, strategise on advocacy efforts, and collaborate with other human rights defenders and networks around the world more effectively.

In Louchrisha’s view, DTP’s commitment to capacity building of local organisations like CCF has had a profound impact in Fiji. CCF benefits from the continuous capacity building provided by DTP. DTP’s support has enabled CCF to grow and strengthen its efforts in promoting human rights in Fiji and beyond. The partnership with DTP allows CCF to access important information and timely updates on international and regional issues like the West Papua struggle for self-determination as well as monitoring of human rights violations. Solidarity strategies are then incorporated into their awareness and advocacy efforts as an organisation as well as through local partners and human rights defenders’ networks.

“It is DTP’s genuine passion, dedication, and the willingness of the trainers and fellow participants to drive change that sets DTP apart.”

As Louchrisha takes on different challenges, in a new role of a global organisation, that addresses the climate crisis, she feels that DTP’s holistic approach to human rights training has equipped her with the tools to address diverse challenges, including those related to environmental protection and sustainable development. Louchrisha is also keen to be an active part of the development of DTP’s alumni network in Fiji and the Pacific.