Vice President Strategy, United Nations Association in Canada - Toronto Region Branch
Certificate in Public Administration & Law 2019

Tell prospective students a bit about the work you do.

Currently I am volunteering at the United Nations Association in Canada Toronto Region Branch (UNACTO). UNACTO is a non-government organization. The objectives of UNACTO (as stated in its constitution) is fostering international peace, justice, security, and development for the alleviation of world poverty through education programs on international problems, and Canada’s concerns with those problems as a member of the United Nations and its related agencies. We study possible courses of action in the field of international affairs and provide education and advice for the people of Canada respecting those courses of action and policies which the Association believes further the objectives and underlying purposes of the United Nations as expressed in its Charter.

I have worked for UNACTO since 2014 and served multiple roles such as Marketing Committee Chair, Governance Committee Chair, and Board of Director. Currently, I am serving as Vice-President Strategy. My job duties including 1, serve as the Chief Strategy Officer and Member of the Executive Committee; 2, develop strategic direction for UNACTO through the implementation of innovative initiatives geared to heighten the reputation of UNACTO; 3, develop mechanisms within UNACTO to allow for long-term sustainability; 4, foresee opportunities for growth and advise the President and Board of Directors of such opportunities; 5, provide reports on strategic direction as required; and 6, work in close relation with the Governance, Marketing, Media, and Public Relations Committees.

Tell prospective students a bit about how your studies at York helped you to get where you are today.

I really appreciate the education, service, and help I received from York University including all of my professors, the School of Public Policy & Administration faculty and staff, McLaughlin College staff, and the members of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies.

I graduated from the York University Law & Society program with the highest academic performance (summa cum laude) and obtained the Professional Certificate in Public Administration and Law in 2019. Previously, I obtained my Paralegal License from the Law Society of Upper Canada and I practiced for two years as a legal assistant at different boutique law firms. My Honours BA and certificate programs provided me with an in-depth understanding of the relationship between law and society. I learned not only why our society needs laws to govern human behaviors but also how individuals can use laws to protect themselves. I took a variety of courses such as AP/PPAS 3135 & 3136 3.0 Public Law I & II, AP/PPAS 3190 6.0 Public Administration, AP/PPAS 3000 3.0 Politics, Policy & Law of Minority Rights, AP/PPAS 4130 6.0 Politics, Law and the Courts, and AP/SOSC 3391 6.0 Social Diversity and the Law. Most importantly, my education at York University helped me to understand the significance of the rule of law, and the importance of formal equality and substantive equity.

My professors had a great influence on me, and because of them I confirmed my resolution that I want to be a Constitutional lawyer in the future. I believe that as an alumnus of York and a global citizen, we have the responsibility to fight for justice and equal human rights, we have the obligation to promote the fundamental principles of both liberalism and democracy globally, and we have the duty to protect the rule of law. All York Lions must remember our motto “The way must be tried”.