When I started the MA in Human Rights and Social Justice program, I had a basic idea of what human rights meant. Which is fairness, equality, and respect for everyone. But through the courses, I learned that human rights are more complex and deeply connected to politics, culture, and history. My understanding has grown from just knowing the definitions to being able to analyze how rights are practiced and sometimes denied in real life.
One of the most important courses for me was Foundations of Human Rights and Social Justice. In this class, I learned about the development of human rights from the Enlightenment period to modern times. I studied the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and discovered how it was written during a time of global change after World War II. The discussions in class helped me see that while the UDHR is a powerful symbol of unity, it also reflects the voices and politics of certain nations more than others. This made me think about whose perspectives are often missing in international human rights conversations, especially those of Indigenous peoples and nations from the Global South.
Another key course was Settler Colonialism, Decolonization, and Responsibility. This class completely changed how I think about justice. I learned that decolonization is not just a historical process but something that continues today. One of my most meaningful assignments was creating a model of the Cape Coast Castle from Ghana, my home country. As I built it, I thought deeply about how colonialism shaped both Africa and other parts of the world. It was emotional for me because it reminded me of the pain and strength of my ancestors, but it also helped me understand the importance of truth and healing in justice work.
In this course, I also read the article “Decolonization Is Not a Metaphor.” That reading helped me understand that decolonization must involve real action, not just symbolic language. It must include giving back land, power, and respect to Indigenous communities. I saw strong connections between what happened in my home country and what Indigenous peoples in Canada continue to experience. This realization made me more determined to learn from Indigenous knowledge and be part of movements that promote reconciliation.
Through all these courses, I learned that human rights are not only about laws or documents but about people’s real experiences. I now understand that to protect human rights, we must listen to different voices and challenge systems that create inequality. These classes gave me both the academic knowledge and emotional understanding to continue this work in my career and daily life.