UN chief appoints Keele alumna as Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights
A former Keele University student has been appointed Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights by the United Nations Secretary General.
Awa Dabo, a Gambian human rights lawyer, has worked for the UN for 25 years and graduated from Keele with a degree in Law & Sociology and Social Anthropology in 1994. She has held senior roles within the organisation in peacebuilding, crisis recovery, and development, most recently as Director and Deputy Head of the UN Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office.
Based in Geneva, Awa will oversee the day-to-day operations of the UN’s Human Rights Agency and will collaborate with the High Commissioner for Human Rights to lead on policy development and implement strategies that address human rights violations worldwide.
Awa, who was congratulated by The Government of The Gambia on her appointment, said: "I have worked with the UN for almost 26 years with six different UN agencies. I believe deeply in the values of the UN and have seen first-hand, around the world, the tremendous positive impact that the UN makes on the lives of ordinary people.
"I joined the UN because I saw it as a way in which I can truly serve humanity. It is more than a job for me; the UN is indeed a true calling. It is a privilege to be able to meet and interact with people from all over the world, to be able to listen to them and to strive to make life better, working with coalitions across the globe for a common goal of human rights, peace and security and development."
Awa said her studies at Keele University, followed by an LLM in International Human Rights Law, deepened her conviction that she wanted to pursue a career in human rights.
"I did not plan to work for the UN, but I knew I wanted to work on human rights," she said.
"My degree at Keele solidified this in my mind, both with regards to the legal aspects, but also the human elements that sociology and social anthropology provided me with. These tools became invaluable in my career growth at the UN.
"I am passionate about building a fair and just world. As a black African woman, I know more than most how it feels to be discriminated against, to be treated unjustly, to be marginalised, to be ignored. I know how it feels to live with fear, to try to be made to feel ashamed of who I am, to live with uncertainty and a deep sense of vulnerability.
"This is an everyday reality for way too many people, and one that can too easily be overlooked. I wake up every day determined to do my part to make life better for millions of people. I strongly believe that we can all make a difference, regardless of where we are, or where we sit. In the fractured world that we live in today, this is an even more urgent task, and central to this are human rights."
Reflecting on her time at Keele University, Awa recalls the campus and social life with warmth.
"I have very fond memories of Keele University, and I had a pleasant surprise recently when my assistant informed me that she had also attended Keele," she said.
"My memories of Keele, beyond the courses I took, are shaped most by the people I met there. I made lifelong friends during my time at the university, and together we built a vibrant social life.
"We hosted countless dinners - even though I could barely cook at the time - ventured into Stoke-on-Trent for nights out, often dressed completely unsuitably for the weather, and spent many Friday evenings at the Students' Union. I loved the university grounds and the atmosphere of campus life."
