Ideas The people who inspire Alex Neve to fight for human rights
Nov 13, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Alex Neve, a renowned human rights lawyer and 2025 CBC Massey Lecturer, reflects on pivotal inspirations from his youth, including his mother’s daycare activism that sparked his passion for justice. He shares how his father's values and law school talks transformed his view of human rights as a tool for activism. Neve also explores vital issues like Indigenous rights, the ongoing fight against gender-based violence, and the importance of community involvement in human rights advocacy.
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Refugee Gift That Shaped Him
- Alex keeps a Peruvian ceramic gift from a refugee client as a daily reminder of refugees' longing to return home.
- The phrase on it, "I am like the wind that comes and goes," framed his understanding of refugee experience.
Mother's Daycare Campaign Spark
- Alex's mother campaigned for daycare in 1970s Alberta after his father's death, showing activism born from necessity.
- That grassroots campaign taught him that unfair systems can be changed through local organizing.
Law School Moments That Redirected Him
- Two guest speakers at Dalhousie — Elizabeth May and Barbara Jackman — showed Alex law's power for activism and refugee rights.
- Attending an Amnesty meeting solidified his decision to become an international human rights lawyer.