Asha Jibril
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Alumna Asha Jibril featured among Most Influential People of African Descent

Congratulations to former MSc in Migration Studies student Asha Jibril, who has featured in the 2023 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) Global Top 100 under 40 list.

Asha was recognised for exceptional achievements in the category of politics and governance, particularly her role in advancing human rights and social policies in Canada for marginalised peoples through public service, and academic and community engagements.

“I am beyond honoured to be recognised this year alongside such dedicated and inspiring leaders of African descent from around the world, and am grateful to all those who have inspired, supported and paved the way for me,” Asha said.

Asha is currently a Senior Policy Advisor to the Prime Minister, Cabinet and senior leadership of the federal government of Canada on high-impact social policy initiatives, including the development of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy, the National Action Plan on Combatting Hate, Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, the Federal United Nations Decade for People of African Descent Action Plan, and the National Action Plan to End Gender Based Violence, among others.

She previously led efforts at Canada’s National Human Rights Institute to improve the intake, investigation and mediation of complaints of discrimination filed on the basis of race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, and religion.

She has also taken on leadership roles in various grassroots, national and international initiatives. Her film projects, which have focused on social issues such as homelessness and immigration, have been showcased in over a dozen festivals worldwide and released as a two-part series on Al Jazeera. In addition to being used as a teaching tool in universities, one of her films, Family Motel, received the Alex and Ruth Dworkin Award for the Promotion of Tolerance through Film.

MIPAD identifies high achievers of African descent in public and private sectors from all around the world as a progressive network of relevant actors to join together in the spirit of recognition, justice and development of Africa, its people on the continent and across its Diaspora.

MIPAD supports the International Decade for People of African Descent, proclaimed by United Nation's General Assembly resolution 68/237 and being observed from 2015 to 2024.

Find out more about MIPAD.