Robert Godden

I am a seasoned human rights campaigns and communications strategist with over 25 years experience designing strategies and managing projects. I believe communications can be used as a primary tool to change society for the better by influencing narratives, changing attitudes and behaviours, and ultimately shaping social norms and values.

In 2014, I founded Rights Exposure, an award-winning non-profit communications consultancy based out of Hong Kong and London. Rights Exposure works with civil society organizations to create communication solutions for positive social change. We have extensive experience working with those directly impacted by human rights abuses, using participatory methodology to build interventions based on their priorities and solutions through a facilitated strategy process. Our collaborations have helped build the capacity, influence and sustainability of the organisations and individual activists we have worked with through experiential learning and training components.

In 2023/24, I took an 18-month break from Rights Exposure to work with the Global Strategy Team at Human Rights Watch in facilitating the design of their new five-year Global Strategy. I worked with colleagues across the organisation using participatory methodologies and consultation techniques to conduct a deep-dive into HRW’s added value, identifying objectives and outcomes, and the design of the theories of change for the global goals. In addition, I designed a guide for HRW staff on how to develop project-level strategies for country and thematic teams, as well as supporting the India team in designing their country strategy.

Before founding Rights Exposure I worked in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Amnesty International for 14 years. From 2004-2014 I was the Asia-Pacific Campaigns & Communications Coordinator based in Hong Kong, Kathmandu, and London. My work involved advising country teams on strategies to enhance the impact of their work; supporting campaign staff in Amnesty’s national offices; and working with human rights defenders.

Clients

Aidsfonds, Amnesty International, Civil Rights Defenders, Human Rights Watch, International Labour Organisation, Oak Foundation, Open Society Foundation, Oxfam.

Qualifications

BA Political Science (London Metropolitan University)
MA South Asian Area Studies (University of London, SOAS)
Human Rights & Photography (NYU)

Experience

I worked at the International Secretariat of Amnesty International for 14 years supporting teams in the design of project strategies, training staff in national offices, and project managing a variety of high profile campaigns. From 2010-2014, I was the senior campaigner on the Asia-Pacific Migrants Rights Team based in Kathmandu and Hong Kong, with a focus on trafficking for forced labour of migrant workers. Other thematic focus areas included freedom of assembly, expression and association, and transitional justice/countering impunity.

At Rights Exposure I have developed a number of communication projects utilising narrative change methodologies and behavioural science insights to modify attitudes and behaviours of target audiences, including award winning work with Amnesty International Hong Kong, as well as the International Labour Organisation (ILO). Other projects include developing social media campaigns on populations vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and an internal guide on working for climate justice. In this work I have utilised holistic strategies combining research, media, advocacy and audio-visual assets.

At Human Rights Watch I designed, organised and facilitated multiple online workshops as part of the organisations Global Strategy process, including supporting the development of Theories of Change for multiple global goals. I also worked closely with the HRW India Team to support them in the development of their country strategy.