Marie-Claude Roberge, Director, Human Rights Research and Education Centre
What is it about your job that inspires you most?
Meeting passionate people whose objective is improving individual human rights in Canada and abroad. I meet people from diverse cultures and horizons. In addition, through the centre, I have the possibility of being involved in their projects.
In tandem with my work as director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre, I have been teaching since January. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to exchange with students, sharing points of view, knowledge and passions.
How did you come to your area of research?
My research area is primarily international humanitarian law also known as laws of war. Unfortunately, it is not a well-known area and yet it makes headlines almost everyday. It’s through my travels abroad, and in particular following a course I took given by the International Red Cross Committee in Poland, that I was sensitized to the needs of victims of armed conflict and the work of this organization to protect and assist them.
What are you most proud of?
Professionally, I can think of two events:
First, my work in Columbia (1999-2000) where I believe I was able to bring some support and help to individuals in the war-torn region of César.
Secondly, my contribution to the creation of an international criminal court from 1996 to 1999.
If you had the power to change anything in the world what would it be?
There are many powers: moral, political, economic… What I would really want to change is the way conflicts are managed. That our tools for conflict resolution not be rooted in violence and threats, but rather tolerance, openness and active listening.
I would like to work towards formal education for everyone. I would like to see a better distribution of wealth, more equality among people and more respect for the environment.
Who has the most influence in your life today?
Nicolas, my 15-month old son. It’s his smile, his thirst to discover everything around him, his way of approaching others; these things follow me everyday and remind me what is truly important.
What five people would you invite for dinner?
Louise Arbour, Gandi, Bin Laden, Hitler and Mozart.
