2008 Castan Centre Intern

Chris Holt, South African Legal Aid Board, South Africa

Profile

Chris Holt is in his 3^rd year of a combined Arts/law degree where he has focused his studies on global politics and international human rights law.  He is committed to the development and recognition of human rights and is particularly concerned with human rights abuses in the Middle East and Africa.  Thus, he was excited by the opportunity to further pursue his interest in a practical manner through an internship with the South African Legal Aid Board.

Chris’ interest in international politics and human rights law has come from the experiences he has had in his travels and work abroad.  In 2004 Chris travelled to Nepal where he volunteered with VSN Nepal, working at an orphanage for children from areas affected by the civil war. He has also assisted with the renovation of orphanages in Phnom Penh, Cambodia while he was teaching English to children in it.  He has also travelled extensively throughout South-East Asia and his experiences there have only increased his desire to become actively involved in human rights law.

Chris has also participated extensively in community work at a local level, and has taught English to child refugees through St. Vincent De Paul since 2005.  He has volunteered at with Maslow providing meals to residents at the Hanover Emergency Relief Shelter, volunteered for the Red Cross for the Red Shield Appeal in 2003, and worked for the Deaf Blind Association of Melbourne.      

Chris is looking forward to using his law degree to ensure that all sectors of society, in Australia and internationally, are able to protect their rights through access to legal advice.