Shaun Kirven

That last 20 years working in human rights around the globe have taught Shaun that dreaming is necessary. Envisioning a world where human rights advocates are not needed keeps him going on the darker days.

Shaun has considerable experience in a wide range of human rights issues, current issues are racism and poverty in the UK and how both intersect with the LGBTIQ communities in the Country. Shaun has intervened at UN and EU policy levels and developed considerable expertise in training and capacity development of human rights activists, NHRIs, Government and community-based organisations. Almost 10 years ago he researched and co-authored a manual for the protection of LGBTI human rights defenders and is disappointed that the manual is still relevant today. Shaun maintains strong links to both local and international queer movements. Shaun has lived, worked and travelled enough to understand that it’s the little things that matter. Cheddar cheese is a real passion. Shaun is married to Ryan and they have two rescue dogs, Bouncer from the Philippines and Mollie from Nepal. He still enjoys the crazy that being a dog-human to two dogs can bring.

During his years in Colombia, Shaun researched and developed advocacy documents for the EU and UN human rights systems. Besides directly advocating for change Shaun has developed considerable expertise in training and capacity development of human rights activists including grassroots community-based organisations. In 2009 he co-authored a manual for the protection of LGBTI human rights defenders and still has a strong interest in supporting local queer organisations.

 In addition to his expertise in human rights’ advocacy Shaun has developed considerable skills in project management from the assessment and strategic planning stage to the development and exercising of successful monitoring and evaluation programmes. Recently Shaun took a three-day course in Excel spread-sheets, the basic knowledge has greatly improved his life.

Over the past 10 years Shaun has focused primarily on transitional justice and conflict resolution. He spent 3 years working in Cotabato City, Mindanao monitoring the human rights situation and developing the capacity of local organisations and national institutions to respond to the human rights situation. He has worked as an UNDP International Human Rights Expert developing the capacity of the Regional Human Rights Commission in areas such as investigation and treaty monitoring. He also spent time working with the International Commission of Jurists on human rights issues throughout South and Southeast Asia.