Presenter
Bio: Richmond Iheme is a human rights lawyer and registered social worker serving as Director of Operations at CAFCAN Social Services, where he provides strategic leadership for the Kujenga Pamoja II Project. Supported by the Government of Canada through a three-year grant (2024– 2027), the Kujenga Pamoja II Project is advancing the establishment and operationalization of the Canadian Institute for People of Afrikan Ancestry (CIPAA) as a sustainable national mechanism.
The project advances a coordinated national approach to addressing anti-Black racism by integrating human rights to assess and address systemic barriers across economic empowerment, health, education, and justice—ensuring that equity outcomes are directly linked to improved socio-economic outcomes for Black Canadians and to Canada’s broader goals of inclusive economic growth and social cohesion.
He brings over two decades of experience in human rights research, policy development, institutional strengthening, and monitoring, including prior service at Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission—an institution accredited with “A” status by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).
During his tenure, he served in various capacities including Program Officer (Health), Head, Human Rights Education, among others. He led establishment of the Commission’s Human Rights Institute (Research, Training and Policy Center of the commission) and later served as Director of the National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture (OPCAT), overseeing safeguards across police cells, correctional facilities and other detention systems nationwide. His work has included representation at United Nations and global expert forums.
With academic training in philosophy, law, and social work, Richmond brings a unique blend of analytical depth and community-centered practice, contributing to advancing Recognition, Justice, and Development for people of African Descent through the development of CIPAA in Canada.
