December 2 was a remarkable day at Carleton University as we hosted “Mysteries Near the Waterfall”, an art exhibition by Ukrainian artist Nataliia Kononova—an event that deeply resonated with me, both as someone who loves art and as co-chair of Scholars at Risk Carleton.

Reflecting on 2024, this event reminded me why the work we do matters so profoundly. Through the lens of art, we witnessed the resilience of individuals who continue to champion justice and academic freedom despite unimaginable challenges. It was a privilege to stand alongside such inspiring voices and to reaffirm our shared commitment to human rights and the transformative power of education.

We were honored to hear from Carleton University’s Provost L. Pauline Rankin and Bob Rae, Canada’s Permanent Representative to United Nations. Their powerful words highlighted the global urgency of defending academic freedom and protecting those who face threats to their lives.

For me, this event also felt like a step forward in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Quality Education (Goal 4), Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10), and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Goal 16). Supporting scholars at risk is more than a responsibility—it’s a call to action to build a more just and equitable world.

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible, especially our incredible team and the Carleton University community, who show every day what it means to stand for human rights and academic freedom.

If you weren’t able to join us, I encourage you to learn more about our program – Scholars at Risk – Carleton University – and how you can support this critical work.

Special thanks to Linda Hartwell for capturing the essence of the event in her powerful article. Read more about the event here: Carleton Hosts Celebration of Art, Human Rights and Resilience – Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

Wishing you all a hopeful and inspiring 2025!