The Ahlgren Law continued its annual tradition of attending and helping to support the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)’s Human Rights Awards, which took place on June 2, 2016.
The Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan Award and Keynote Address was given by Monica McWilliams. Monica McWilliams is a leader in the field of human rights and conflict resolution. Most recently, she supported Syrian women as they created the Syrian Women’s Network, a powerful force in promoting the role of women in the conflict resolution and transition process. McWilliams co-founded the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition, composed of women representing both sides of the conflict. The Coalition ensured that women played a role in the peace negotiations, including in the signing of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement – a major step forward in Northern Ireland’s peace process. McWilliams was elected to the Legislative Assembly in Northern Ireland in 1998 and subsequently served as the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission from 2005 to 2011. Currently, McWilliams is a professor of woman’s studies at the University of Ulster and an associate researcher with the Transitional Justice Institute. She serves on the Prisons Reform Oversight Group, advising the Northern Ireland Department of Justice.
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