- Fair Labor Association Fellowship
- Ian Fishback Human Rights Fellowship
- International Human Rights Fellowship
- Korea-Michigan Human Rights Research Fellowship
- Robert J. Donia Graduate Student Fellowship
- Social Change Initiative Fellowship
- Student-Initiated Summer Internship Fellowship
- Syria Justice and Accountability Centre Fellowship
- Fellowship for Research to Advance Global Health & Human Rights
- Raoul Wallenberg Human Rights Practitioner Fellowship
Meiting Xu
Major: Politics, Philosophy and Economics, with a minor in Law, Justice and Social Change
Class 2026
The Oslo Freedom Forum from May 25 to May 28, 2025 gathered activists, journalists, politicians, entrepreneurs, professors and diplomats from around the world to highlight the dangers of tyranny and invite participants to find ways to fight against authoritarian regimes. The 4-day event included panel discussions, workshops, debates and interactive office hours. I am tremendously grateful for this fellowship experience made possible by Mr Robert Donia and Mdm Jane Ritter. It has given me the opportunity to hear and interact with individuals who are deeply committed to addressing human rights abuses from their home countries. Their tireless and innovative ways to challenge regime leaders and safeguard human rights underscored the boundless possibilities in defending a future where freedom is without consequence. I am deeply inspired by their efforts and recognized how their messages cause ripple effects felt around the globe.
As a Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) major, I am extremely fortunate to spend a week during my summer break in Oslo, Norway, learning about how citizens in Sudan, Russia, Venezuela, Africa, Hong Kong and Uyghur have reached out to the international communities asking for their financial support, strategic cooperation and understanding. I realize that although pressure on the ruling party does not always work, it is essential to make statements and show solidarity in the face of threats. Some of the notable speakers include Pavel Durow (the creator of Telegram), Kim Yumi (North Korea defector), Vladimir Kara-Murza (Former Russian Political Prisoner), Sir William Browder (Head of Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign) and Gaëlle Borgia (Pulitzer Prize winner). Their emphasis on individual struggles against repressive states made me reconsider the real impact on freedom fighters in and outside their home countries. As someone who intends to go to law school after finishing my undergraduate studies, I am now certain that I want to focus on international law and human rights law because they are both concerned with the protection of life, health and dignity of human lives.
