Executive Committee
Victor MacDiarmid
Victor is currently pursuing a J.D. at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. He was formerly employed as a consultant for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and has received his Master’s degree in the History of International Relations from the University of Toronto. Victor also received his undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto in International Relations. Prior to working with the CCR2P, Victor worked with the U of T chapter of UNICEF, monitored human rights abuses in the West Bank with the ISM and served on the Executive of the University of Toronto Ski Club. Victor oversees human resources and strategic planning at the CCR2P and has co-authored a publication with Dr. Jennifer Welsh, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on R2P.
Michael Switzer
A recent graduate of Trinity College at the University of Toronto, Michael Switzer is currently pursuing a J.D. at the University of British Columbia. He has previously served as the CCR2P’s director of outreach.
His research interests lie in the normative and legal dimensions of R2P -- particularly in the ways through which emerging technologies and evolving governance norms can enhance the efficacy of prevention efforts under R2P. With Dr. Park, he co-authored a book chapter on the intersection of R2P and cybersecurity, which was published in 2020 by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence for the annual CYCON in Tallinn, Estonia. Michael is very much looking forward to advancing the scope of public discourse on R2P.
Britney Best
Britney Best is entering her final year of study at the University of Toronto, specializing in Political Science.
In February of 2021, Britney’s research was published in the Canadian Studies Undergraduate Journal and presented at Victoria College. Britney’s research interests include international development, human rights, and security. Her primary focus has been Canadian foreign policy in the Arctic region, with reference to Japanese interests, and the potential for collaboration with Asia-Pacific partners.
Britney is based in Toronto and enjoys mountain biking in her free time.
Maryanna Diab
Maryanna Sierra C. Diab is a third-year undergraduate student attending the University of Toronto. She is double majoring in Political Science and Health Studies with an additional minor in Equity Studies as she has a great passion for human rights, gender equality, and geopolitical stability. She is Canadian-born and grew up in Dubai. She has been involved in humanitarian activities throughout her life, having volunteered as a medical care support specialist during the refugee crisis in Lebanon, to building schools for the underprivileged in Kenya, and providing educational support in Tanzania. In addition to her role on the Board of Directors with CCR2P, Maryanna works with the G7 Research Group, and UN Women.
Patrice Calancie
Patrice Calancie is an incoming fourth-year student at the University of Toronto. She is pursuing a double major in International Relations (with a focus in International Law and Human Rights) and Ethics, Society, and Law, as well as a double minor in History and Political Science. She is from Syracuse New York and is particularly interested in studying how international institutions interact with human rights. She works for the Center for the Study of the United States at the Munk School and is a director for North American Model United Nations. She is also a Co-Editor in Chief for the Trinity Review.
Amine Belhacel
Amine Belhacel is a graduate of the Master’s degree in International Law and Applied International Politics from the University of Sherbrooke. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Quebec in Montreal. He is currently an intern at the office of the former Prime Minister of Quebec.
During his studies, he participated in 4 United Nations and International Civil Aviation Organization models. This allowed him to train a cohort for the ICAO Model at the University of Sherbrooke.
Amine’s research interests include human rights, international cooperation, economic development and migration issues.
Amine is based in Montreal and speaks French, English and Arabic. He enjoys sports and football in particular.
Fernanda Bernardo
Fernanda Bernardo is a recent graduate from the University of Victoria, where she completed her Undergraduate studies with a Major in Political Science and a Minor in Economics. Born in Brazil, Fernanda was passionate about research, human rights, and globalization from a young age, which positively guided her academic and career choices. While in school, Fernanda gained a year of experience working as a Policy Analyst and Project Assistant for Canadian and international organizations, including the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (Kampala, Uganda). She is currently working on launching an environmental non-profit based in Vancouver that aims to bring more accountability to the global apparel industry, with climate, gender, and equity at the forefront. Fernanda hopes to pursue a Masters in Global Affairs and to dedicate her career to human rights and economic development.
Jolie Leung
Jolie Leung is a Trinity College student entering her fourth year and majoring in International Relations and Global Health. A native speaker of both English and Cantonese, she is also conversant in French. As the co-lead of the Trinity College Chinese Oral Histories project and the Creative Director of the Trinity College Chinese Students Association, she is passionate about Chinese-Canadian heritage and Canadian diasporic history. She hopes to broaden her perspectives on R2P as she advances in her studies at the University of Toronto.
Tina Jiwon Park
executive.director@ccr2p.org
Dr. Tina J. Park is a co-founder and executive director of the Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect at the University of Toronto. In that capacity, Dr. Park has advised over thirty governments and international organizations on their human rights policies, including the former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, the UN office on the prevention of genocide, the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Inter-Action Council. Her areas of expertise include Canadian-Korean relations, inter-Korean relations, and peace & stability in the Asia-Pacific. In the past seven years, she has taught Canadian foreign policy and history of espionage at the University of Toronto. Dr. Park is a frequent commentator in the media on North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, human rights issues and NATO. She is working on a manuscript examining the Korean peace process. Dr. Park is a graduate of Trinity College (summa cum laude) and speaks seven languages. She is currently based in Rome at the NATO Defense College. (www.tinapark.ca)
Dr. Tina Park est la co-fondatrice et directrice exécutive du Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, basé à l'Université de Toronto. Dans ce rôle, Dr. Park a conseillé plus de 30 gouvernements et organisations internationales à propos de leurs politiques en matière de droits de la personne, incluant l'ex-Secrétaire général des Nations Unies Ban Ki Moon, le bureau du Conseiller spécial pour la prévention du génocide, l'Union interparlementaire et le Inter-Action Council. Ses champs d'expertise incluent les relations Canada-Corée, les relations inter-coréennes, ainsi que la paix et la stabilité dans la région Asie-Pacifique. Durant les sept dernières années, elle a donné des cours sur la politique étrangère du Canada et l'histoire de l'espionnage à l'Université de Toronto. Dr. Park intervient régulièrement dans les médias au sujet du programme nucléaire de la Corée du Nord, des droits de la personne, et de l'OTAN. Elle travaille à l'écriture d'un livre sur le processus de paix sur la péninsule coréenne. Dr. a complété ses études supérieures au Trinity College (avec distinction) et parle sept langues. Elle est actuellement basée à Rome, au NATO Defense College. (www.tinapark.ca)