Supporting the promotion and protection of human rights

Kirsty has attended a number of international human rights events as a communications expert.

Since October 2016, in addition to running her own consultancy, Kirsty has been working part time in the job shared role of Communications and Participation Manager at the Scottish Human Rights Commission. Now that this maternity cover contract has come to an end, Kirsty has returned full time to her independent consultancy work and is keen to use her learnings from her time at the Commission to support new clients in promoting and protecting human rights.

Speaking about her experience at the Commission Kirsty said: “It has been an absolute honour and privilege to work with the internationally renowned team at the Scottish Human Rights Commission. Working with them has given me a unique insight into the ways in which communications make the greatest difference to ensuring that human rights protections make a difference where it really matters – in the reality of people’s day to day lives.

“While I am sad to say goodbye to my inspirational colleagues, I’m keen now to take the learnings back to my own business and support a range of clients who work to protect, promote and advance human rights.”

Since she started working at the Commission, together with her job share partner, Kirsty has led a range of communications and participation initiatives including the development and delivery of:

• a communications strategy
• audience insight research
• a participation process to inform Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights
• media and social media engagement, for example to support the Scotland Declaration on Human Rights and to help a group of residents use human rights to address poor housing conditions
• a parliamentary event
• a range of publications to support operational objectives
• a series of animations to raise awareness of human rights in Scotland
• a short film about housing rights in practice
• illustrated case studies showcasing the difference that rights can make in the reality of people’s day to day lives
• accessible communications.

She also shared the role of deputy chair for the Communications Working Group of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions, where she met and shared learnings with communications professionals from around Europe.

If you are looking for communications support to further promote and protect human rights, please contact Kirsty at Kirsty@KirstyInnesPR.com