Soroptimist International is a leading global women’s voluntary organisation. It has close to 72,000 members in over 100 countries around the world. The Federation of Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI) has members in 270 clubs in 18 countries in the British Isles, Asia, the Caribbean and Malta.
Middlesbrough Soroptimists have generously invited interested members of the public to join them this coming Thursday at their meeting in the Acklam Green Centre. Two special guests, both academics with backgrounds in international relations will speak about the recent history, and current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Catherine Ramos is a professional interpreter and translator, and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists.
In 2006, she joined the Board of Justice First, a registered charity working across the Tees Valley giving advice and support to people seeking asylum and settled refugees.
She is the author of three ‘Unsafe Return’ reports about the post-return experience of people removed from the UK to the DRC. Her work has been cited by academics and successfully submitted in cases in the UK, USA, and Canada.
Catherine will speak about how, in 2007, she had been shocked by how easily those in power can ‘dispose of little people’. This inspired her relentless pursuit of truth through her research for ‘Unsafe Return’.
Tresor Bukasa is also a Trustee of Justice First. He is a tireless campaigner for human rights, and has spent many years highlighting the plight of the DRC; circumstances often overlooked by the international community. He has run a series of ‘Breaking the Silence’ seminars to raise awareness of the injustices suffered by the Congolese people.
A former airline pilot who has worked extensively overseas, Tresor holds an Airline Transport Pilot License, a Master’s degree in International Relations, and an MA in Human Rights from Teesside University.
The meeting and further information:
The meeting will be held from 6.30pm to 8pm on Thursday 19 June 2025 at the Acklam Green Centre on Stainsby Road, Middlesbrough. All are welcome.
Further information about Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland here.
This article is based on a media release from Middlesbrough Soroptimists
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