"The rise of authoritarianism in countries around the world represents a real threat to human rights, and I believe one of our biggest challenges is ensuring that these regimes are held accountable for any violations and the truth of their actions are exposed to the rest of the world. For example, according to a recent report by the Human Rights Watch, police forces in the Phillippines have been falsifying evidence to justify killing thousands of Filipino urban poor in their 'War on Drugs.' This is just one example of how authoritarian regimes destroy lives. I believe my in-depth knowledge of authoritarianism and its effect on working-class populations can push advocacy even further in this area."

"The threat of a global pandemic is an obvious threat to public health. However, the examination of the effects of public policies related to the pandemic upon the most vulnerable populations including people in prisons, older people, and people with disabilities living in institutions is crucial. During my time as a hospice caretaker, I discovered that homebound seniors often do not have access to transportation, which they need to receive life-saving vaccines. This is just a small piece of the puzzle that shows how the pandemic affects peoples' lives in ways that are sometimes overlooked. It is such a massive issue, but I know I can contribute my eye for details to Human Rights Watch's efforts to report on the effect of government policies during global health emergencies."

When discussing sensitive subjects, avoid being negative or having a "doomsday" attitude. Remain positive and hopeful and talk about how your knowledge and passion can improve the work that Human Rights Watch does to expose and hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses.