2006 Castan Centre Intern

Sophia Kagan, Human Rights First, New York (December 2005 '" February 2006)

Sophia is a final year Arts/Law student. During her degree, she has taken an active interest in international law both in her studies and through volunteer research work with the Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Department. Sophia has also had the opportunity to work with community organizations such as the Public Interest Law Clearing House, Springvale Community Legal Centre, Sudanese Integrated Assisted Learning Program and OzChild Australia.

In 2004, Sophia traveled through East and West Africa, taking on volunteer work and meeting inspiring local groups. In particular, Sophia taught English and Mathematics to primary school children at a Ghanaian refugee camp and developed and ran an AIDS awareness program in Kenya. Her experiences crystallized her desire to work with human rights organizations. She hopes to return to Africa in the near future.

Sophia’s interests include debating and mooting. She is also passionate about learning languages and hopes to learn more through her future travels.

Sophia was thrilled to work with Human Rights First. Having spent part of her childhood in Russia and being a keen observer of events in the region, she was especially excited that she was able to work with the Human Rights Defenders Program for Russia and the former Soviet Union.

Weblog: http://sophiakaganinternship.blogspot.com/

Human Rights First, New York