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Our Leaders
Our Leaders - These students, immersed in the Observatory's interdisciplinary curriculum, are developing expertise at the intersection of leadership and human rights. Through experiential learning, they gain practical skills and theoretical knowledge, becoming effective advocates prepared to navigate the complexities of human rights in practice.
Mateo Alejandro Porras Gil
Born in Colombia and having arrived in Canada as a refugee claimant in 2010, Mateo Porras Gil is deeply passionate about law, democracy, and student engagement. He is currently pursuing a Licentiate of Law at the University of Ottawa.
Mateo’s interest in human rights and international law, particularly international humanitarian law, is shaped by his lived experiences and a longstanding commitment to promote social justice, diversity, and intercultural cooperation.
Mateo previously worked as a Page, Parliamentary Guide, and Parliamentary Assistant at the House of Commons. In these roles, he gained firsthand experience in the legislative process, legal research, and parliamentary procedure.
On campus, Mateo is Vice-President of Partnerships for the Association of Latin American Law Students (ADELED), where he builds bridges between students, law firms, and businesses to strengthen Latin American representation in the legal field. He has also served as Interim Director on the Board of Directors of the University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU), where he advocated for inclusive and transparent governance. Even before university, Mateo was active in student leadership, spearheading his high school’s student council and representing over 1,200 students and initiating educational policies promoting active learning.
A trained musician, Mateo has been a spokesperson and volunteer for OrKidstra, performing at the National Arts Centre during the centenary of the end of World War I. He is also certified as a lifeguard and as a water safety instructor with the Canadian Red Cross.
Mateo is eager to join the UN Observatory on Human Rights to deepen his understanding of international human rights law and to further develop valuable skills in research, analysis, and public speaking. He sees this experience as an opportunity to enhance his academic path, strengthen his professional capabilities, and reinforce his ongoing commitment to human rights advocacy.
Mateo is trilingual in French, English and Spanish and is currently learning Portuguese. In recognition of his ongoing community involvement, he was recently named a finalist for the Youth Leader in Volunteering award by Volunteer Ottawa, an organization which celebrates and recognizes the contributions of young leaders across the region.
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