Let's Talk Human Rights

By Layla Riaz Saqibuddin

The Halo Trust  organization is a group of compassionate advocates who believe that no nation, country, or town should suffer the consequences of war in their country. Landmines kill and injure thousands of innocent lives all around the world. Landmines prevent humanity from thriving and experiencing a hopeful and safe life. Halo Trust works on demining and strives to help war-torn communities recover to ensure a safer and better future for all. From my experience in meeting The Halo Trust team based in DC, I learned that The Halo Trust has demining programs all over the world ranging from Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, Ukraine, Cambodia, Ecuador, the West Bank and more. The demining programs consist of One essential factor that helps The Halo Trust achieve their goals in helping war-torn communities is by advocating for the voiceless. For instance, The Halo Trust consistently works with members of Congress to receive funding for their programs in these countless countries.

The organization also has numerous campaigns on their website which allows one to contact their representatives and congressmen directly about their concerns for humanitarian aid in these emergency situations. In fact, I even had the opportunity to participate in writing a campaign for one of their demining programs. I also had the wonderful opportunity to engage with members of congress and understand the process of what it means to work with members on Capitol Hill. One fun fact that I learned about the Halo Trust is that Princess Diana previously worked with them. In 1997, Princess Diana decided to walk through a landmine to bring attention to the deadly consequences and results of landmines to others. As expected, this action brought immediate international attention, resulting in the Ottawa Mine Ban treaty calling for all countries to unite and get rid of landmines all over the world.

My fellowship with the Halo Trust allowed me to gain an experience I have been dreaming of receiving. In my junior and senior year of college, I knew human rights was my calling, but I did not know how to get involved with this career path and I was having trouble getting involved with human rights. By having the opportunity to work for this organization, I finally learned what it means to be a part of a compassionate organization that has the ability and power to change the lives of billions. I attended weekly staff meetings and each of these meetings was always a pleasure and an amazing learning experience. One of my favorite things about the staff meetings was that I was able to meet other staff members who physically travel to other countries to advocate and do work in the Halo Trust. These staff members shared a presentation with everyone about their experience. Similarly, I also met staff members who take care of the business-marketing side of things by generating photos and media together for the Organization. I was always in awe seeing how many staff members put themselves out into the world to make a change. 

The Halo Trust organization gave me the experience of what it is like to work with a human rights organization and a taste of what it means to touch countless lives through meaningful and life-lasting work. I learned how to advocate for the voiceless through campaigns, demining research, projects focused on demining emergency countries, and most of all how to work as a team with others. However, though it takes time to see results, the end results are worth the wait. I also came up with  new innovative ideas for the Halo Trust to become more involved with universities, students and the outside world. 

Looking back at my fellowship experience today, I can proudly say with confidence that human rights was and is my calling. Through my advocacy, I discovered my potential and that the world as a whole has the ability to make the world a better place. I grew a lot personally and professionally thanks to the Halo Trust Organization. I worked with an inspiring and compassionate team that never failed to make me feel included despite my fellowship being remote. I learned how to take the lead with projects fearlessly, how to professionally engage with figures of authority and how to conduct different types of research that will benefit and help all. 

Layla Riaz Saqibuddin will be pursuing a masters in Business Administration at the University of Dayton. She just graduated this past May and holds a Bachelor's degree in International Studies with minors in Political Science, Arabic, Spanish, and Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. She grew up in Wilmette, Illinois and grew up in an incredibly diverse family. After her master’s degree, she hopes to pursue a business career within the Human Rights Sector.