Élodie Proulx
Leader at the Observatory on Human Rights at the UN
Élodie is 19 years old and entering her third and final year of the Civil Law program at the University of Ottawa. She was admitted into this program at only 16. Perseverant and hardworking, Élodie left her small hometown in the Eastern Townships of Québec and moved to the capital immediately after high school. Since then, she has been deeply involved in human-rights-related causes, as well as in legal and political initiatives that reflect her commitment to justice and social responsibility.
In January, Élodie participated in the Parlement étudiant du Québec, driven by her belief that meaningful change begins with politics. She represented the people of the riding of Montarville and will proudly do so again this coming January. Within her faculty, she is also an active member of the University of Ottawa’s Association du droit de l’immigration et des réfugiés, which contributes to discussions and initiatives centered on the protection of vulnerable populations. Her dedication to human rights and her determination to defend those whose voices are too often silenced are what motivate her today to be part of The Observatory.
Élodie is also a member of the Appeal Committee of the University of Ottawa’s Student Union. In this role, she applies her judgment, listens carefully to both parties, and drafts reasoned decisions. This experience has strengthened her ability to analyze opposing arguments, think critically, and approach each case with empathy. It is deeply important to her that anyone facing a legal process feels heard and believed. People are far more than the cases they are associated with, and she has made it her mission to break down the law and make it more accessible to those whose lives are shaped by legal decisions.
Within the Observatory, Élodie hopes to continue developing her leadership skills and meet inspiring people. She believes that strong leaders advance justice, and she is committed, alongside her brilliant peers, to ensuring that the team’s research have a genuine and lasting impact on those who need it most. She is ready to learn, reflect, and take actions, striving to become not only a better jurist, but also a more compassionate human being and a stronger leader for the generations who will follow.
Élodie is fluent in French and English.
