Enhancing Human Rights My Journey to the MA Program
- Nov 25, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 11
I have chosen the MA Program in Human Rights and Conflict Management at XXXX for my graduate studies due to the outstanding faculty and the globally acclaimed nature of the program. It offers the exact interdisciplinary blend of subjects I wish to explore. I highly value the program's strong collaboration with international organizations and the opportunity for students to engage in internships with peacekeeping missions, allowing them to apply their skills in real-world settings.
My desire to pursue this Master's program stems from my seven years of experience in designing and managing projects aimed at protecting and enhancing human rights and freedoms in Afghanistan and post-conflict regions in Central Asia. I am eager to advance my academic knowledge and practical skills in these areas to take on more impactful roles, contribute to improving lives, and support the creation of peaceful and democratic societies.
In 2013, I worked in Afghanistan with the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), an international development organization active in over 30 countries. This experience was pivotal in my career, allowing me to understand the transformative impact an effective development organization can have on local communities, especially when development incorporates a human-rights approach and culturally appropriate solutions. This was particularly evident in AKDN's efforts to enhance access to education and healthcare for girls and women in Afghanistan.
After returning to Kyrgyzstan, I decided to deepen my commitment to human rights. For the past three years, I have served as a National Officer on Media and Information Policy for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the largest security organization in Europe, based in their Centre in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
In this role, I have advocated for media freedoms, freedom of expression, and journalists' safety, reporting relevant cases to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. The OSCE views recognized human rights as a fundamental component of security, a concept reflected in all programs implemented by the Centre in Kyrgyzstan, a country that has experienced two revolutions and an interethnic conflict since its independence in 1991. Balancing security and human rights has become increasingly crucial in recent years, as there has been a noticeable shift towards more security-focused regulation impacting our liberties, particularly freedom of speech.
Successful peace-building efforts rely on respecting human rights, which reduces the risk of further conflict escalation. I am eager to significantly enhance my understanding of best practices in human rights protection and promotion in international contexts to accurately assess situations on the ground, considering their social, cultural, and historical backgrounds. My aim is to become a human rights advocate with growing international experience and expertise, ideally working for a UN institution in conflict or post-conflict areas such as Syria, Afghanistan, or Sudan. Eventually, I aspire to take on more significant roles in policy development.
Enhancing Human Rights: My Journey to the MA Program
Your statement shines with clarity, conviction, and a deep sense of purpose. What makes it so compelling is the seamless way you connect your professional experiences with your academic aspirations, showing not only what you have accomplished but also how those accomplishments have shaped your vision for the future. The choice of the MA Programme in Human Rights and Conflict Management at XXXX feels entirely natural, as you highlight the program’s interdisciplinary strengths, its cooperation with international organizations, and the invaluable opportunity for internships with peacekeeping missions. This demonstrates that you have thought carefully about how the program aligns with your goals and how it will serve as the next step in your journey.
The narrative of your career is…