Distinguished Alumni Fellow Judge LaJune Lange ’78 and Two HRC Student Researchers Travel to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland

On October 15-17, Human Rights Center Distinguished Alumni Fellow Judge LaJune Lange ’78, Research Fellow Alejandra Arboleda ’26 and Undergraduate Research Intern Caleb Masi traveled to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland to participate in the 24th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA). This session was convened to advance the UN’s ongoing efforts to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, with a specific focus on protecting and promoting the rights of Africans and people of African descent. The Working Group serves as a key intergovernmental mechanism that brings together member states, UN officials, and civil society representatives to exchange ideas, propose policy guidance, and refine the language of the Draft United Nations Declaration on the Human Rights of People of African Descent.

While at the session the Minnesota delegation participated in  debates on a variety of key issues for the drafting process , including reparatory justice, state violence, and equitable development. They met with Latin American delegates, African states, and other members of civil society to review and propose syntax and priorities in the draft declaration. Additionally, Ms. Yvonne Murugi Kivuti, Second Counsellor, Kenya UN Mission to the UN Geneva, invited the Minnesota delegation to the mission to sign the official book of condolences following the death of Raila Odinga.

This trip was made possible by the Human Right Center’s Heins and Weissbrodt Fellowships, as well as the generous support of Charlie Rounds and Mark Hiemenz.