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If you want to help make the shift, you can follow us on social media, and use the hashtag #maketheshift when promoting your right to housing events and statements.
Leilani Farha is the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Housing and Global Director of The Shift. Her work is animated by the principle that housing is a social good, not a commodity. Leilani has helped develop global human rights standards on the right to housing, including through her topical reports on homelessness, the financialization of housing, informal settlements, rights-based housing strategies, and the first UN Guidelines for the implementation of the right to housing. She is the central character in the documentary PUSH regarding the financialization of housing, screening around the world. Leilani Launched The Shift in 2017 with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and United Cities and Local Government.
A law graduate from the University of Maastricht, with a degree in International and European Law, and a Political Science degree from the University of Ottawa, Julieta is an experienced researcher and human rights activist. She has been working alongside Leilani Farha for the last four years conducting missions, assisting with thematic and country reports, as well as helping to launch The Shift. She has been expertly trained in the area of the right to housing and as Deputy Director, she facilitates engagement with The Shift network. Julieta leads the work on housing and climate change for The Shift.
Sam is a human rights researcher with a degree in Law from Manchester Metropolitan University and a Master’s in International Humanitarian and Security Law from the University of Ottawa. During his Master’s he specialised in human rights within the United Nations framework and on increasing accountability in post-conflict justice processes.
He has spent a number of years working with the special procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council, undertaking research and assisting in the writing of thematic reports and communications for the mandates of both the Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing and the Special Rapporteur on the rights to safe water and sanitation.
Emma has a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Advertising from Humber College and will soon receive a diploma in Executive Office Administration from Algonquin College.
Emma’s passion for administration and organization, as well as her background in customer service and experiential marketing make her a fantastic addition to our team!
Kirsten is a communications professional with a Master’s degree in Global Affairs from the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and a B.A. in journalism from Howard University. After leaving the advertising industry, Kirsten discovered her love of international relations and public policy during an extended period overseas. During her Master’s she specialized in government and development in East and Southeast Asia, as well the use of technology to mitigate the effects of climate change.
Latonya is an Urban Innovation graduate from the University of Toronto, with a degree in Political Science and a Certificate in Global Perspectives. She is passionate about using innovation in urban policies to make cities more equitable and socially sustainable. Latonya’s love for urban policy, international politics and social sustainability led her to the role of a researcher in public policy where she primarily focused on local human rights accountability mechanisms of human rights cities in North America and abroad.
If you want to help make the shift, you can follow us on social media, and use the hashtag #maketheshift when promoting your right to housing events and statements.
