International Advocacy Seminar 2026 Brings Together Diaspora Leaders from 8 Countries at the University of Toronto to Strengthen Human Rights Advocacy

About the Seminar

Empowering Diaspora Voices for Effective Advocacy

On October 4, 2026, the World Anti-Extremism Network (WAEN), in partnership with the Global Girls Movement at the University of Toronto and with support from the Atlas Network, brought together 42 emerging leaders from eight countries for the International Advocacy Seminar 2026: “Empowering Diaspora Voices for Effective Advocacy.” Held at the University of Toronto, the full-day seminar created a space for participants from diverse diaspora communities representing Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, China, India, Canada, Tajikistan, and Ukraine, who came together around a shared challenge: How can diaspora voices become more strategic and effective in advancing freedom, human rights, and civic engagement?

42

Emerging Leaders

8

Countries

Oct 4, 2026

University of Toronto

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“Bringing together passionate advocates from eight countries was a truly rewarding experience. I believe the knowledge, skills, and connections gained through this seminar will help them become stronger voices for freedom and human rights, especially as they had the opportunity to learn firsthand from the experiences and insights of survivors of extremism and authoritarianism,” said Khalid Ramizy, Founder and CEO of the World Anti-Extremism Network (WAEN).

Opening

Welcome & Opening Remarks

The seminar opened with a land acknowledgement and welcome from Maria Alejandra Guardado, Senior Fellow at WAEN, and Aiman, Founder and President of the Global Girls Movement, followed by an introduction to WAEN and opening remarks from Khalid Ramizy, CEO of WAEN.

Morning Sessions

Advocacy in a Changing Environment

The morning sessions focused on the changing environment in which advocacy takes place. Janet Bufton, Co-Founder of the Institute for Liberal Studies, addressed the challenges of defending freedom in an age shaped by polarization and disinformation. Dr. Owen Lippert, Executive Director of Opposition International – Canada, followed with a session on using data to make civic action more effective. The seminar then moved from broader challenges to the foundations of human rights advocacy. In a session on “Understanding Human Rights: Principles, Mechanisms, and Advocacy,” WAEN President Ahrar Ramizpoor explored the principles and mechanisms that underpin human rights work and the role advocates can play in using them effectively.

Resilience Talks

Voices of Lived Experience

One of the key sessions of the day was the Resilience Talks, moderated by WAEN Senior Fellow David Teffaine. The session brought together Terence Shen, Freedom Activist from China; Tara Dachek, Advocacy and Operations Coordinator at Houses Inc. from Iran; Sheng Xue, Award-Winning Author and Journalist from Iran; and Farida Darvish, Women’s Rights Activist from Afghanistan. Speakers shared perspectives on foreign interference and transnational repression, survivor-centred advocacy, human rights advocacy in challenging environments, and the experiences and future of Afghan women’s advocacy. Following the Resilience Talks, participants worked in groups to identify a human rights concern and develop a practical advocacy plan, considering key actions, stakeholders, and potential challenges. Each group presented its plan to fellow participants.

Defender Session

Characteristics of a Human Rights Defender

Participants then joined a session titled “Characteristics of a Human Rights Defender,” led by WAEN CEO Khalid Ramizy, which focused on the qualities and responsibilities of effective human rights defenders.

Afternoon

Practical Advocacy & Leadership

The afternoon focused on practical advocacy and leadership. In “From Ideas to Action,” Khalid Ramizy covered initiative-building, fundraising, and effective leadership, helping participants turn advocacy ideas into action. Participants then put these lessons into practice through 60-second elevator pitches, presenting their causes, advocacy initiatives, and the change they hoped to achieve. The exercise challenged participants to communicate their ideas clearly, confidently, and persuasively within a limited amount of time. Following the presentations, participants voted for the Best Elevator Pitch.

Closing Session

Closing & Certificates

In the closing session, WAEN President Ahrar Ramizpoor and Sheng Xue reflected on the day’s discussions and the importance of continuing to strengthen networks of advocates working for freedom and human rights. The seminar concluded with certificate distribution, marking the end of a day that brought together learning, lived experience, collaboration, and practical advocacy training.

The International Advocacy Seminar 2026 was designed around a simple principle: A voice can cross borders, but meaningful advocacy requires the skills and strategies to make that voice heard.

Participant Voices

What Our Fellows Say

Read What the International Advocacy Seminar 2026 Fellows Say About Their Experience

The seminar served as a great platform for young students like me to share our ideas and debate them across the table. It served as a powerful advocacy tool to help me voice my opinions about gender equality, something I have been passionate for as long as I can remember. I think discrimination and HR are a significant barrier to society’s growth, and it is imperative to eradicate them, for as Malala Yousufzai said, “a nation can’t progress if half of its population is held back.”

Ananya Wadhwani University of Toronto

The WAEN event was very well organized and moved along at a swift pace. That attention to schedule is necessary because of all the interesting sections. I learned a great deal. I would gladly attend any future one.

Owen Lippert Executive Director, Opposition International

Thank you to the WAEN team for organizing the seminar and providing space for participants to share their initiatives. I would welcome future opportunities to explore how documentary storytelling can support human rights awareness and bring immigrant and refugee experiences into advocacy discussions.

Emal Zaki Documentary Filmmaker / Canada Life with Zaki

The International Advocacy Seminar 2026 was an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in the space of resisting against authoritarian governments and extremism. The speakers were extremely knowledgeable and the topics were very helpful in providing budding human rights activists with the tools needed to bring about change on a large scale.

Shaan Mehdi Policy Analyst, Government of Canada

I would encourage WAEN to continue creating opportunities for advocates from different backgrounds to connect and learn from each other. More practical sessions on advocacy, nonprofit development, fundraising, and Canadian institutions would be very useful for participants who are building or developing organizations in Canada.

Najla Raheel HOVIAT Women’s Identity Organization

WAEN's International Advocacy Seminar introduced me to cases and concepts that were yet unfamiliar to me. I left the seminar ready to engage with and expand my understanding of human rights violations in Afghanistan, China, and Iran.

Gur Pasternak Paralegal student at Seneca Polytechnic

The seminar was a great opportunity to learn about advocacy, human rights, and connect with people from different communities. I’m grateful for this valuable experience.

Farida Jahish Journalist

The seminar gave me a chance to connect with people who care about human rights and learn from their experiences. I left with useful ideas and more motivation to continue advocating for Afghan women.

Farida Darvish Women’s Rights Activist

The International Advocacy Seminar was an inspiring and valuable experience that strengthened my advocacy and leadership skills. It provided an excellent opportunity to learn, connect with inspiring women, exchange ideas, and gain practical tools to create meaningful change in our communities and beyond. The advocacy and elevator pitch activities had the greatest impact on me because they helped me communicate my organization’s mission and goals more clearly, confidently, and effectively.

Muska Tarin Canada Humanitarian Initiatives & Amato Media

The International Advocacy Seminar was an enriching and inspiring experience. Bringing together diverse human rights defenders from different countries provided a powerful platform for sharing experiences, strategic advocacy, and strengthening our collective commitment to justice.

Ruqia Ahmadi Educator, Counselor & Social Advocate

I really appreciated seeing the range of work other participants are doing and the different issues they are advocating for. It was interesting to hear what matters to people and how they approach their work.

Hasina Akbari SOUL Women

Seminar Gallery

Moments from the Seminar

Join Us in 2027

If you wish to join next year’s International Advocacy Seminar in October 2027 or nominate someone to participate, please fill out the form below to be added to our waiting list and be among the first to receive an invitation!