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All Saints' College is privileged to host Steve Rocha and Souran Mishra as justice advocates in residence. Their deep commitment to championing child rights is present in their work with PRATYeK, an organisation dedicated to empowering the most marginalised voices in India. Through their advocacy, both Steve and Souran have been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of children's rights and engaging young people in global discussions on poverty, education, and climate change. Now, Steve and Souran are bringing this conversation into our classrooms, showing how themes of injustice can be interwoven across all subjects.

Steve Rocha's journey into advocacy began when he noticed a glaring gap in youth involvement in global movements. "A couple of years ago there was a call for young people across the world to hold governments accountable for poverty and global goals," Rocha recalled. "I was in a school setting and saw many movements for adults, but where were the young people? This is an agenda for the world, and these are the young people of tomorrow."

This realisation led Rocha to spearhead the 'Nine is Mine' campaign in India, which focused on holding the government accountable for promises, including allocating 6% of the budget to education. Initially working with Catholic and Christian schools, Rocha soon shifted his focus to public schools and non-profits that served the most vulnerable and marginalised communities. "We wanted to educate young people about their rights, sustainability issues, and climate change," he explained. "How can they engage with these challenges? Can we provide them with the information, skills, and platforms to be agents of change?"

Rocha's efforts have resulted in youth-focused events parallel to major global conferences, such as the K20 (Kidizens20) during the G20 summit and the upcoming Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) alongside COP29. "These platforms give young people a voice to share their experiences, recommend changes, and hold governments accountable," Rocha said. "In the classroom, we challenge students and teachers to understand that poverty and climate change are human-made problems. The solutions are within us, and the classroom is the best place to start."

Souran Mishra's story is a testament to the power of advocacy and the impact of PRATYeK's work. Born and raised in the slums of New Delhi, just a kilometre away from the Indian Parliament, Souran faced the harsh realities of poverty and inadequate education. "I live in a slum society. There’s a dividing wall, and on the other side is a high-fee Christian brothers' school," he shared. Souran emphasised that the current education system fails to provide children living in poverty with even the most basic educational necessities. "In government schools, proper education is not provided. Teachers are present, but they don’t teach. English, a key to employment, is being taught by people who can’t speak it. The disadvantage becomes a domino effect."

Souran's involvement with PRATYeK began when he discovered the organisation after school, initially attracted by the circus arts equipment he saw. What started as a place for fun soon became a platform for empowerment. "I was not aware of many small things that are my rights, like toilet facilities and education," Souran said. "PRATYeK provided a platform where we could talk about these issues. Now, I’m very proud to have this platform to tell my story and represent the many children who can’t speak up."

Souran's advocacy has taken him around the world, speaking at the United Nations in New York, and events in Ireland, London, and Geneva. His journey from volunteer to intern, and now a staff member at PRATYeK, underscores his commitment to fighting for the rights of the most vulnerable.

Through their work at All Saints’ College, Steve and Souran aim to highlight the importance of Advocacy. "Advocacy is what changes structures. Fundraising and charity keep people where they are, but advocacy challenges the status quo," Steve explained. "You can give a homeless person a cup of soup, but they’ll still be homeless tomorrow. But if you write to the government and demand action on housing issues, that can change circumstances."

Steve and Souran are not only educating students about global issues but also inspiring them to become advocates for change within their communities. Their goal is to integrate advocacy into every subject, ensuring that while students are learning, the theme of their work is focused on improving the world. By teaching Circus Art skills, Souran not only engages students in a unique and creative way but also shares his experiences in using these skills as a powerful tool for advocacy, demonstrating how art can be a platform for protesting rights and driving change.

We look forward to the remainder of Steve and Souran’s residency, and hope their perspectives encourage our students to take an active role in shaping a more just and equitable world.