Introduction
Ony Ratsifandrihamanana is a Higher Executive Officer at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights.
She graduated in 2022 from the Centre's Master's programme in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights. Her thesis focused on a business and human rights approach to digital disinformation in Madagascar, building on the corporate responsibility to respect human rights as a framework to address challenges to freedom of expression. Her thesis proposal was awarded the Fritt Ord Student Stipend on human rights, the right to free speech, and/or democracy.
She has previously worked with Transparency International’s chapter in Madagascar as a project officer for an investigative journalism network specialized in cases of high corruption and has been an Editor for the student newspaper Universitas’s English section for six months. She has also held volunteer leadership positions at Teach For Madagascar, a grassroots organization specialized in inclusive education.
Academic interests
Free speech and the Role of the Press and Civil Society, Human Rights and New Technologies, Human Rights and the Digital Landscape, Sustainable Development, Global and Social Justice.
Background
M.Phil. in the Theory and Practice of Human Rights, University of Oslo (2020-2022)
Master in Law, ‘Public Law and Political Science’, Université Catholique de Madagascar (2015-2017)
Bachelor in Law, ‘Public Law and Political Science’, Université Catholique de Madagascar (2011-2014)
Other Academic/Work Experience
- Research Assistant, NCHR, Oslo
- Inter Universitas Editor, Universitas, Oslo
- Academic Intern, International Department/Human Rights Education, NCHR, Oslo
- Project Officer MALINA, Transparency Internation Initiative Madagascar, Antananarivo
- President and Project Coordinator, Teach For Madagascar, Antananarivo
- Administration and Operations Intern, Office of the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights, Antananarivo