LEGAL & POLITICAL AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

Niamh strongly believes that youth deserve to have their voice heard and importantly, that their voices should have an influential impact. Niamh's extensive work with UN Youth NSW helped instill her strongly-held belief that youth have the right ideas, empathy and perseverance to bring about much needed structural change.

Niamh holds a Bachelors in International and Global Studies with a double Major in Government and International Relations and Political Economy from the University of Sydney. She is currently studying there again for a Masters in International Law. Niamh has worked within Commonwealth Departments since 2019 and has recently commenced a Graduate program with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.

In 2021, Niamh was selected to be a Scholar with Global Voices, where she represented Australia as a Delegate for the Youth20 Working Group of the G20 and has since published a policy paper. She also undertook a fellowship with Young Australians in International Affairs, during which time she focused her work on a variety of topics relating to Europe and Eurasia. Niamh has written about the concepts of smart diplomacy and exploring international gender equality and empowerment.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Caity is an Australian Public Servant who is a dedicated advocate for human rights and who has a keen focus on international relations, war crimes and crimes against humanity. adapted in the ever-evolving world.

In 2020, Caity graduated from UNE with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Criminology and was recently admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW. Caity is actively engaged in educating and motivating the wider legal profession on human rights and international relations through her work as a Submissions Coordinator for NSW Young Lawyers International Law Committee, a subsidiary of the NSW Law Society.

Caity is passionate about raising awareness and educating the masses on war crimes, crimes against humanity, the acknowledgement and formal framework for a Bill of Rights in Australia and the adaptation of efficient international/Magnitsky sanctions in Australia.

Caity is excited to contribute to the great work that the Legal and Political sub-committee is undertaking. She is ready to make an impact by engaging with those in all levels of decision-making and broader members of the public to ensure that we are effecting the change we all desperately need.

POLICY LEAD

Sarah has a multicultural upbringing, born in Japan and grew up in Portugal. Sarah completed her Bachelor of Laws in the United Kingdom. She began volunteer work at university, with the Citizens Advice Bureau, and as President of Be the Change society and Research Officer for Amnesty International. She also carried out volunteer work with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, the UNHCR and the Australian Red Cross. Sarah has volunteered with community legal centres in Brisbane including the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service, the Women’s Legal Service and Queensland Advocacy Incorporated. She also has a qualification to teach English and has taught overseas in Morocco and Nepal and tutored refugee children in Brisbane with Vinnies.

Sarah has carried out legal research for Lawyers Without Borders and the Queensland Council of Social Service, for which she won a pro bono award. Sarah has work experience in the Queensland Government, including ministerial office experience and experience working in the Supreme and District courts in the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. Sarah also carried out two internships with the United Nations. The first in legal affairs with the Management Evaluation Unit based in New York, and the second in human rights and migration in the Southeast Asia region with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights based in Bangkok. Sarah is currently completing her Masters in International Relations and International Law. She is passionate about women’s rights, refugees and migration.

CAMPAIGN LEAD

Sterre is a part of VOI because she 100% believes that youth can be the change. Yet, there is currently a lack of awareness of the urgency of certain matters, such as refugee, women’s and children’s rights.

Sterre holds a Master in International Criminal Law from the University of Amsterdam and a Bachelors in International Justice from Leiden University. She is currently studying at the University of Sydney for a Masters of International Law.

She is particularly interested in the field of women’s rights, in conflict areas. Reproductive rights and violence are a topic that Sterre deems highly important. She wrote her Master’s thesis on the crime of forced pregnancy before the ICC, in particular in Uganda. Moreover, she advocates for restorative justice and the involvement of the local community and their traditions in criminal justice processes.

Sterre has been involved in international politics and youth advocacy since a young age, participating in the European Youth Parliament and NATO conferences. She was also the community engagement officer for The Hague Peace Projects. Sterre spent a few months living in a rural community in Uganda, learning from and helping local women.

ENGAGEMENT LEAD

Jacinta is a driven human rights advocate, with an intense passion in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, and in promoting the power of community engagement. She has dedicated her time supporting and taking leadership in community-led organisations that foster youth leadership and empowerment.

In 2021, Jacinta graduated from UNSW with a Bachelor of Social Research and Policy majoring in Politics and International Relations, and is particularly skilled in social research and policy analysis. Having undertaken a multitude of research methodologies to explore her interests in challenging inequality and injustice, Jacinta is particularly drawn to feminist discourse. In addition, Jacinta is completing her Juris Doctor postgraduate studies also at UNSW, and has a strong desire to take on a legal role in policy development.

In her role as Engagement Lead, Jacinta is especially eager to take part in the changemaking process, and is hopeful that her contribution at Voices of Influence Australia will create meaningful and necessary change in all aspects of human rights protection. Jacinta also hopes that she can continue to encourage young people to become leaders and facilitate social, political and legal change.