Here at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), we know our strength comes from the people who make up our movement — from our staff, to our partners, to our steadfast supporters. Our “Meet Our Staff” series will introduce you to some of our amazing staff members, who work behind the scenes every day to defend the right to a healthy environment.
Sarah Dorman is a Staff Attorney with the People, Land, and Resources (PLR) program at CIEL. She received her JD from Harvard Law School and has spent significant time in both the Middle East and Latin America, where her work has focused on issues of human rights, development, transitional justice, and international law. We spoke with Sarah about what she does here at CIEL, where she finds inspiration, and more.
You have a rich background in human rights and have worked in several different countries. Can you talk about the work you did prior to joining CIEL?
Sarah: Some of the most formative experiences of my early career took place while I was living in Egypt, first studying Arabic through the Fulbright program and then working as a researcher for an Arab regional human rights organization. I was living near downtown Cairo during the 2011 “Arab Spring” uprising, and in the months that followed, I saw firsthand how Egyptian civil society pushed for transitional justice measures and, later, how these activists worked to guard against increasing restrictions of civic space in the country. Throughout those years, my work as a researcher focused on monitoring human rights violations occurring in North Africa, as well as supporting human rights defenders from the Arab region in carrying out advocacy initiatives at various regional and international bodies.
In addition, I lived for a number of years in Latin America, principally in Mexico, where I worked with community development organizations and as a translator. I also spent time in Colombia, where I contributed to comparative research aimed at informing the structure of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, the tribunal set up under the Colombian Peace Accords of 2016.
What prompted your transition to CIEL and into the environmental community?
S: I see my current role at CIEL as a continuation of my previous work in the field of human rights, as CIEL is very much a human rights organization, in addition to being an environmental organization. I’m grateful to be working for an organization that actively and intentionally engages at the intersection of environmental protection and human rights advocacy, as I think there isn’t always an explicit recognition that the two go hand-in-hand. Even before joining CIEL, I had been searching for ways to focus on the interconnectedness between the environment and human rights in my work. After all, climate change, biodiversity loss, and all of the other environmental crises that we’re currently facing are intrinsically linked to violations of human rights around the world.
Tell me about the work you do at CIEL. What’s a day like for a Staff Attorney on the PLR team?
S: An important piece of my work consists of following developments at various development finance institutions and advocating for the adoption and implementation of strong policies, such as requirements to adequately consult with people who may be affected by a given development project. This work builds on CIEL’s efforts over many years to push for international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, to establish protections for communities and the environment in the context of development projects that they fund.
PLR also accompanies a number of communities who have decided to pursue accountability for harms caused by development projects where they live. So, much of our daily work involves engaging with members of these communities and following up regarding the complaints that they have filed at the accountability mechanisms of the relevant financial institutions.
What is one of your favorite memories from work?
S: I truly appreciate the opportunities that I have had to meet directly with members of the communities that CIEL has accompanied through the process of seeking recourse at the accountability mechanisms. Last fall, I was able to meet with partners in Colombia, whom CIEL had supported on a complaint regarding a planned mining project that would have had devastating consequences for the surrounding ecosystems and the human right to water. It was invaluable to meet directly with members of this community that has long been organizing in opposition to this destructive project, as well as to support some of their advocacy efforts and hear directly from them about their work to defend their rights and their environment.
You seem to be quite the linguist, having pursued proficiency in Arabic, Spanish, and most recently French. What do you like about languages, and why have you decided to invest in developing language skills specifically?
S: I suppose that my love of languages has many roots. Since childhood, I have always loved exploring the power of words to inspire and connect people. Learning new languages, for me, is about expanding that. I also deeply value the experiences, insights, and relationships made possible by fluency in multiple languages. My experiences living and working in Mexico and Egypt would have been limited in many ways if I hadn’t been able to communicate in the languages spoken in those places. I believe that investing the time and dedication required to learn other languages is an important way to demonstrate respect for other people and other cultures, and that’s at the heart of why I have made it a priority in my life to pursue proficiency in various languages.
What’s one of your favorite books or a book that you’re reading right now?
S: I’m currently reading a book called Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and a professor of environmental biology, the author weaves together lessons from both Indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge to underscore the importance of restoring our reciprocal relationship with nature. For me, this book has provided a timely reminder that humanity has much to learn from the world around us, as well as guidance about how we might reimagine living in community with other human beings and respond to the forces that threaten our planet today.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you!
S: Training for and competing in triathlons is something that I have really enjoyed in the past. So far, I’ve completed 4 olympic-length triathlons. I haven’t signed up for any of the triathlons in DC yet, but I know there are several held in the area and would like to participate at some point!
If you had a surprise day off from CIEL, how would you spend it?
S: I would probably spend much of the day outside. I’m glad to live close to a park with extensive trails for running and biking, which I try to make use of as often as I can. I would also likely spend time reading a good book or catching up with friends.
Interviewed by Sarah Street, Communications Intern
Originally posted on July 17, 2020