(En français sous peu.)
Current research interests
- International Human Rights Law
- Development Economics
- Child Labour
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Children’s Participation
MA Journalism (Western University), BA Liberal Arts with a major in Anthropology (Lethbridge)
Andrea Khan is a doctoral student at the University of Ottawa’s School of International Development and Global Studies.Prior to starting her PhD studies, Andrea has been working as a Specialist in Child Protection at Global Affairs Canada. She holds over 20 years of experience as a policy analyst, technical specialist and marketing communications professional.
Since 2003, she has worked for the Government of Canada, including as a governance and human rights analyst and specialist at Global Affairs Canada, and as a policy analyst working on early childhood development issues including for First Nations and other Aboriginal Children at Employment and Social Development Canada. Before joining Canada’s public service, Andrea supported the Honourable Landon Pearson in her role as the Personal Representative of the Prime Minister & Advisor on Children's Rights to the Minister of Foreign Affairs - in meeting Canada's commitments to the UN General Assembly Special Session on Children. She has also worked for the UNICEF’s Research Centre and the non-governmental sector on human rights issues.
Andrea has been engaged on child labour issues for over a decade. She represented the Government of Canada at the Global Child Labour Conferences (2010 in The Hague, where she contributed to the Roadmap for Achieving the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour); (2013 in Brasilia). In her capacity as a Child Protection Specialist, her advice supports quality assurance and compliance with international human rights standards, including child rights and child labour assessment within country strategies and projects. Her PhD research on poverty and child labour will focus attention on corporate policy measures to enhance due diligence and help avoid or mitigate child labour risks.
Andrea has conducted policy research to produce technical guidance on child protection system strengthening at Global Affairs Canada. She was the project lead for the Child Protection team’s existing grants all of which are focused on data, monitoring and research (six grants, 2014-2016, totaling $10M). This included support to UNICEF for “Case Studies on National Child Protection Frameworks”. She has presented at conferences, and this included a keynote presentation on the challenges for donors of child safeguarding in Cape Town, South Africa. She holds dearly in her heart her experience as a Fellow in International Development with the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, which enabled her to travel to India and work with the Centre for Health Education and Nutrition Awareness (CHETNA).