2024 Achieving Prosperity

Live session
25 May 2024 10:00-16:15

2024 Achieving Prosperity

This session, focusing on SDG 10, will unpack the concept of inequality and the dynamics and multiplicitous forms in which it manifests in contemporary society. It will then discuss how legislation, policies, and actions can address inequality issues and highlight lawyers’ role in mitigating discriminatory harm in the national and global context. Practical case studies will be referenced to further illustrate the importance of equal opportunity initiatives and the legal sector’s intervention. 
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What we'll cover in this session?

  • Get to know the core themes of the SDGs and how to use them in legal practice
  • Explore real life case studies on sustainability
  • Engage in expert lectures with industry and legal experts
  • Certification upon completion of the Programme/Module 
  • Network and learn from other lawyers
Meet the instructors

Tengku Aira Tengku Razif

Tengku Aira is the Assistant Representative of UNFPA (The United Nations Population Fund) Malaysia, where she oversees UNFPA
programmes in Malaysia, supporting the Representative of UNFPA Malaysia. She has over 15 years of programme management experience in the United Nations (UNFPA) in the field of
population, gender, and sexual and reproductive health in Malaysia.

Her technical areas of expertise include policy and programme analysis, programme design and management, monitoring and evaluation; in the areas related to gender equality and women’s
empowerment, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and addressing population ageing. Aira is skilled in strategic partnership management, managing donor relations, political management and strategic communications; advocating for policies and programmes, making the case via research/data generation and evidence-based solutions; to secure life-changing impact for communities. In achieving this, she works with people from all walks of life – government, Parliamentarians, academicians, think-tanks, CSOs, young people, vulnerable populations, religious leaders, public figures, general public, donors, media. She is experienced in inter-agency coordination within the UN system, with understanding and thus integrating the concept of UN reform. She is also serving as the UN Malaysia Gender Results Group Coordinator.

She works well in a multi-cultural setting embracing diversity and respecting cultural sensitivity in work environment and programming.
Patrick Jones - Course author
Meet the instructors

Marigold Balquen 

 Marigold Balquen is a domestic worker, a spokesperson for The Voice of Domestic Workers (VoDW), and leader of VoDW’s Fundraising Working Group. She joined VoDW in 2015 and has been involved in rescuing fellow domestic workers who have fled abusive employers and found safe accommodation for them. Marigold never stops learning, she was a graduate of our Future Voices Programme 2022 aimed to provide training to become a spokesperson, and currently in training on the Solicitors Course provided by Freedom Law Clinic. She is also the lived experience co-researcher of the research ‘’Outcomes for Survivors of Trafficking who return to Philippines as their Country of Origin’’ - please do get in touch if you'd like to read this resource.
Marigold is a fearless frontline campaigner who is not afraid to have her voice heard by the Home Office and has been the speaker representative of VoDW to Parliamentary Policy lobbying. 
In 2011, Justice for Domestic Workers (former name of VoDW) was awarded the Anti-Slavery International award in recognition of their work for domestic workers.
In 2024 The Voice of Domestic Workers was one of The Big Issue Change Makers awardees. 
Patrick Jones - Course author
Meet the instructors

Marissa Begonia

Marissa Begonia is the founder and director of The Voice of Domestic Workers (VoDW) and a proud single mother of three who traveled from the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom in search of decent living and a bright future for her children. She described that leaving her children behind was the most painful and difficult decision of her life but she had a dream for her children. Marissa is happily living with her 3 children in England and whenever finds time, she visits her family in the Philippines.  

Marissa had experienced abuse and exploitation at the hands of many employers which made her realise that she wasn't alone in this vulnerable work condition this led her to the founding of The Voice of Domestic Workers previously known as Justice for Domestic Workers, a self-help group of migrant domestic workers campaigning for their rights and welfare in the UK. The Voice of Domestic Workers provides education and campaigns for Britain's over 22,000 Overseas Domestic Workers Visa. Marissa is a Unite the Union Representative (Union Rep) for Migrant Domestic Workers, the biggest Trade Union in the UK. 

In 2010 and 2011, Marissa represented the UK's Trade Unions (TUC and Unite the Union) in the Tripartite discussion of now international law International Labour Organisation Convention 189, UN Geneva. 

​In 2013 Marissa was also the representative in the High Level Dialogue on Global Forum on Migration and Development, UN- New York, and was the speaker at the side event of the International Labour Organisation during the High Level Dialogue. 

​Marissa is now the Vice Chair of the Domestic Work Sector of the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism (EFFAT). 

About The Voice of Domestic Workers 

The Voice of Domestic Workers (VoDW) is a London-based education and support group calling for justice and rights for Britain's over 22,000 migrant domestic workers. Founded in 2009 and established as a Charity in 2017, The work of VODW seeks to end discrimination and protect MDWs living in the UK by providing or assisting in the provision of education, training, healthcare, and legal advice, together with campaigning for governmental policy change in respect of workers rights. 

Their work seeks to end discrimination and protect MDWs living in the UK by: 

Campaigning for changes to policies that affect MDWs in the UK, such as the Overseas Domestic Worker visa. 

Providing education and training to enable our members to gain agency and to help to alleviate the exclusion and marginalisation MDWs face. 

Facilitating access to high-quality healthcare and legal advice through working with partner organisations such as Doctors of the World, Kalayaan and ATLEU. 

Enabling MDWs to influence lawmakers through engaging in consultation groups organised by the Home Office, the Low Pay Commission, EFFAT and other national and international institutions.   
Patrick Jones - Course author
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