Colette Self, Law’21, spent the summer helping advance some fundamental rights to the well-being of individuals and communities. She interned with the Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA), one of Canada’s longest-running not-for-profit charities that aims to ensure everyone has a safe, adequate, and affordable place to call home. 

“I was interested in interning with CERA for the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in human rights advocacy – and that’s exactly what I got,” says Self. “It was very exciting to be a part of a team finding meaningful solutions to important legal problems.”   

CERA works to advance the right to adequate housing through providing direct services to clients facing eviction or human rights issues in housing, educating individuals and communities on housing rights, and advancing progressive housing policy. For the past four months, Self contributed to CERA’s mission.

“I conducted legal research on the right to adequate housing, including its implementation in domestic and international policy,” she explains. “I also tracked and reported on upcoming adjustments to legislation and government programs at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels. This work increased CERA’s capacity to intervene and advocate its position to the government.”   

It’s the plan of Spain’s capital that stood out to Self from her research. “Barcelona is doing a lot of great work to realize the right to adequate housing through its 2016-2025 Right to Housing Plan,” she says. “The plan aims to address and prevent housing emergencies, increase the availability of affordable housing units, and redevelop existing housing over a 10-year period. Importantly, the plan sets out specific targets, timelines, and action items to ensure its goals are met.” 

Through her work with CERA, Self honed her legal research and writing skills. “I further developed my ability to analyze legal problems, enhanced my knowledge of public policy issues, and learned how to be an effective advocate,” she says. “My experience with CERA exposed me to a variety of effective advocacy styles that I will carry forward in my career as I develop my own advocacy skills.”

Self illustrates how she also gained an understanding of the ways in which political, social, and legal issues influence public policy. “I have learned the importance of understanding the needs and concerns of the party across the table when advocating your position and working to find a solution to the issue at hand,” she explains. “While a more aggressive advocacy style can be effective, this is not always the case. I believe this insight will be an invaluable foundation for researching and analyzing legal problems during my time in law school and throughout my career.”

Would she recommend an internship to her fellow students? Absolutely. “Internships give you an opportunity to sharpen your legal skills, gain hands-on experience, connect with individuals and organizations within the legal field, and contribute meaningful work to the community,” she says. “They are also a great way to discover areas of law that you may not encounter in a classroom.”  

Self’s internship, and those for two other upper-year students this summer, were made possible with funding through Lenczner Slaght Advocacy Internships. “I am very thankful to Lenczner Slaght and to the firm’s counsel, Peter Griffin (Law’77), for supporting my internship,” says Self. “Their contribution allowed me to assist CERA in advocating for progressive housing policy during a critical time for issues of homelessness and housing rights. I am also grateful to them for the ability to participate in an internship that has shaped my perspectives and abilities as a future lawyer.”    

By Lisa Graham