DTP Community
Since 1990, DTP has grown into a community that brings together DTP alumni, trainers, partners and supporters for human rights in Asia and the Pacific. Programs are held in partnership with alumni and their organisations and alumni return to teach on DTP’s courses. Trainers donate their time and share their expertise. DTP’s loyal supporters invest in supporting the individuals who are at the heart of human rights movements.
Latest Community News
Anelyn attended the first DTP program in Sydney in 1990. She has over 30 years of experience defending and promoting human rights in Asia, with her current advocacy focus the rights of children. She also helped establish Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (Myanmar).
Ravi is the International President of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS/MIEC) Pax Romana. In this role, he supports and nurtures young people to be involved in making change, and offering solidarity.
Jonathan is a leading environmental and human rights defender in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Founder and Director of the West Coast Development Foundation (WCDF) and a leader of the Alliance of the Solwara Warriors, his award-winning NGO has been leading the campaign against Deep Sea Mining (DSM) which threatens the fragile ecosystems and sustenance of Pacific island communities.
Mary was recently appointed as the Executive Director of Project Sepik, an NGO in Papua New Guinea (PNG). She is an experienced advocate and human rights defender. Apart from her role in Project Sepik, Mary’s commitment to the sustainable management of PNG’s natural resources is evident in her participation in technical working groups focused on issues like environmental law, timber legality standards, and forest stewardship.
Bete is a Timorese human rights defender who is passionate about women and child rights. Bete works as a facilitator and coordinator of Pre-School education at Ba Futuru ONG, a leading not-for-profit organisation that works across Timor-Leste to protect children, reduce violence, empower women and inspire young people. Bete reconnected with DTP during its 31st Annual Regional Human Rights and Diplomacy Training Program in August 2023.
Sushil Pyakurel is one Asia’s most recognised and awarded human rights and democracy defenders. He was closely involved in Nepal’s transformation from an absolute monarchy in the 1980s to democracy.
Louchrisha was working with the Citizens’ Constitutional Forum (CCF) in Fiji when she participated in DTP’s Annual Human Rights and Peoples’ Diplomacy Program in Timor-Leste in 2018. Loucrisha has recently taken up a regional position with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Louchrisha will also play an active part of the development of DTP’s alumni network in Fiji and the Pacific
When Fayez did the DTP annual program in Nepal in 2014, he was working for an NGO focused on human rights education and advocacy in Bangladesh. The program proved to be a turning point for Fayez, as it provided him with a broader perspective on human rights mechanisms and advocacy strategies. While his professional career has taken him away from human rights advocacy, his commitment to work on issues of poverty and discrimination has continued. He is now studying for an MBA at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School in the US.
When Stanley did the DTP annual program in Nepal in 2014, his focus was on migrant and refugee rights. Today he is a prominent figure in the fight against corruption and for human rights and good governance in Malaysia. He currently serves as the Deputy CEO at the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center). His dedication to fighting corruption, and advocating for institutional reform has made him a prominent voice in Malaysia’s anti-corruption movement.
Elizabeth works as a researcher at the Peace Research Institute in Tokyo and serves as Board of Director for the Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan (GPAJ). A Fulbright Scholar, Rotary Peace Fellow, and a two-time TEDx speaker, she is preparing for the Y20 Summit in Varanasi, India as a U.S delegate in the peacebuilding track.
Bashar is a Sydney-based Arts and community cultural development specialist who works closely with culturally and linguistically diverse Middle Eastern communities in the western suburbs of Sydney. After escaping the wars and discrimination in Iraq, Bashar utilises the transformative power of music, theatre, storytelling, poetry, and visual arts to create a positive social change.
Originally from Cebu, southern Philippines, Aileen is the new Executive Director of DTP partner FORUM-ASIA. Aileen has been a leader of human rights advocacy in Asia for many years, with a focus on enforced “disappearances”. Aileen’s very personal experience of human rights violations in the Philippines deepened her determination to end human rights violations – and to defend those defending rights. Her participation in a DTP course in the 1990s helped her at an important time.
Usa is the Executive Director of the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women (APSW) in Bangkok, Thailand. She has been a women’s rights activist for over 30 years. Usa campaigns and advocates to address systematic discrimination against women in Thailand, and provides trainings to women’s leaders and leaders of various sectors.
Henry Zwartz is an award-winning journalist who recently trained in a special DTP human rights and advocacy program for migrant and refugee community leaders in Australia. Interested in the intersection between law and media, and their use as a force for good, Henry currently works for a politics and foreign policy think tank and as a freelance journalist with Australian TV Network, SBS.
Alumni
Since 1990, DTP has trained over 3250 human rights defenders and community advocates from over 90 countries from across the Asia-Pacific and MENA region. These DTP alumni go on to work for human rights in different ways and over many years. Their work stretches over decades of human rights advocacy in the region.
Trainers
DTP’s trainers include respected and experienced human rights academics and practitioners. Their pro-bono contributions affirm the value they see in building the skills and knowledge of those who are defending and promoting human rights in their societies. DTP alumni are welcomed back as trainers. DTP is profoundly grateful to all those who contribute to its programs for their generosity in sharing their knowledge and experience.
Partners
DTP works in partnership with other organisations that share DTP’s commitment to investing in building the knowledge, skills and networks of human rights defenders and their organisations. DTP’s partners provide guidance on training needs and strategy, course participants, content and logistics.
Funders
DTP relies on project grants, philanthropic support from individuals and foundations, and training fee income to provide practical training to committed and courageous individuals working on the frontline of efforts to build societies that respect human dignity and human rights.
