Alex Neve

In this engaging conversation, Alex Neve, a longtime human rights lawyer and former Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, shares insights from his upcoming 2025 Massey Lectures. He discusses the global crisis of displaced individuals and the necessity of human rights in navigating this turbulent landscape. Using the lifeboat metaphor, he illustrates community support for those in dire situations like Rohingya refugees. He also highlights the power of personal narratives, emphasizing how individual stories can shape the understanding of universal human rights.

Alex Neve, an international human rights lawyer and former Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, dives into the pressing challenges facing human rights today. He discusses the alarming backslide since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, highlighting global indifference and geopolitical forces. Neve connects the ongoing Gaza famine to broader humanitarian crises and analyzes how politics hamper UN efforts. He emphasizes the need for public engagement and provides actionable steps to renew human rights, urging collective action for a more just world.

Alex Neve, a human rights lawyer and former Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, explores the pivotal years following WWII that reshaped human rights. He discusses the origins of these rights and highlights the importance of historical context. Neve examines how concepts like dignity and reciprocity connect diverse cultures and impact current crises. He reflects on the breakthrough of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its contradictions with colonial legacies. The conversation urges a renewed commitment to uphold these universal ideals in today’s world.

Alex Neve, a seasoned human rights lawyer and former Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, dives deep into the challenges facing universal human rights. He discusses the disturbing realities of refugees losing rights at borders and highlights the Rohingya crisis as a stark example of these failures. Neve passionately addresses the rising threats of disinformation and hate that erode equality. He ultimately emphasizes the importance of grassroots movements and civil society in reclaiming accountability to revive faith in human rights.

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.