Rwandan national named among world influential leaders

Elvis Mbembe Binda, a Rwandan national and President and Cofounder of Initiatives for Peace and Human Rights (IPHR) has been named among most Influential leaders in foreign policy.

Binda was ranked in the 2013 “99 Under 33” list as one of the world’s Top 99 most influential foreign exemplary leaders under the age of 33.

“99 Under 33” is an international list jointly launched by Diplomatic Courier and Young Professional in Foreign Policy in 2011 to capture the extraordinary impact on international affairs of 99 diverse Millennials under the age of 33.

He was selected amidst a tight competition in which only 99 were selected after a rigorous three-step process by the Selection Committee.  The list and individuals profiles of the Top 99 under 33 offer insight into creativity, determination, and passion of the young people.

Elvis Mbembe Binda was recognized for the work has done the organization, IPHR, which is a local NGO that strives to enhance the culture of peace in the Great Lakes region through widespread human rights and good governance education.

Born in a mixed marriage between his Congolese father and his Rwandan mother, Elvis was constrained by events to take action in front of peace challenges that DR Congo and Rwanda are facing since late 90s. He initiated the creation of IPHR to make a contribution in the ongoing peace-building process.

At IPHR we firmly believe that human rights and good governance education is a prerequisite for any sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region. Elvis Mbembe is also teaching law at the National University of Rwanda since 2007. Currently he is working towards a PhD at Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

His experience

Elvis Mbembe Binda was elected President of Initiatives for Peace and Human Rights (IPHR) in August 2011 and is one of the founding members of IPHR.

Before his election as president, Elvis served as IPHR’s Deputy Coordinator in charge of Access to Justice and Human Rights Education until 2008. During this time, Elvis was in charge of receiving complaints from vulnerable persons, giving advice and feedback on received matters, discussing with lawyers about judicial assistance to vulnerable individuals, organizing workshops and seminars on detainees rights, and raising awareness of the public on women and children’s rights.

Elvis has significant experience in defending minors in Rwanda who are in conflict with the law. Since 2009, through the activities of Avocats Sans Frontieres - Belgium, Elvis has assisted pro bono many minors and vulnerable persons before Rwanda courts.

Elvis has also worked as Deputy Coordinator at Forum d’Echanges pour la Cohesion Sociale (FECS), and as Human Rights Officer with Central Africa Youth Network (CAYN), where he had the main task of raising awareness of the Youth of Rwanda, Burundi, and Eastern D.R. Congo regarding their Human Rights as reaffirmed in national and international Human Rights instruments (such as the UN conventions on rights of the child, disabled persons, women, etc.)

Source : http://www.rwandaeye.com/featured/2976/rwandan-national-named-among-world-influential-leaders/

Rwandan national named among world influential leaders