Debbie Stothard

Co-ordinator human rights network in ASEAN countries

Region(s): Asia
Country of focus: Myanmar
Based in Bangkok

Details

Current Occupation: Co-ordinator human rights network in ASEAN countries
Organization/Institution: ALTSEAN-Burma
Language: English

Debbie Stothard (@DebbieStot)  is founder and coordinator of ALTSEAN-Burma ( @Altsean), a network of organizations and individuals in ASEAN countries of Southeast Asia working to support human rights and democracy in Burma/Myanmar.

ALTSEAN-Burma (Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma), founded in 1996, spearheads a range of innovative human rights programs. One is an intensive program for diverse young women from Myanmar to help strengthen and expand women’s leadership in conflict-affected zones.

A grassroots-focused activist, Debbie works with communities to engage states, intergovernmental organizations and other stakeholders throughout Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

She developed training programs focused on themes of business and human rights, macro-economic policy, atrocity prevention, and women’s leadership. She facilitates or advises more than 20 training events annually, often in small towns, villages, and areas affected by conflict.

Debbie is a member of the Innovation for Change global governing circle and serves on three working groups at ESCR-Net, the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In early 2022, she joined the board of AWID, the global feminist Association for Women’s Rights in Development.

She served as Secretary-General of the International Federation for Human Rights 2013-2019, promoting the organization at about 100 meetings and conferences annually.

During 1981 – 1996, Debbie worked as a crime reporter, student organizer, policy analyst, academic, government advisor and food caterer in Malaysia and Australia while volunteering for human rights causes.