A/HRC/19/81 Annex Biographical data Cecilia Rachel V. Quisumbing (Nominated by the Government of the Philippines) I am an internationally-recognized expert in human rights and international development, with extensive experience in the United Nations and the U.N. human rights system, e.g. the Human Rights Council, treaty bodies, special procedures, the HRC Advisory Committee, Security Council, UNGA, OHCHR, UNDP, WHO, ILO, and OCHA. In my current work as a Commissioner in the Commission on Human Rights, an A-status National Human Rights Institution, I participate in and stay abreast of developments in the HRC, (including the recent review of the body) and in the HRCAC such as its work on HRts. Education, Leprosy, Transnational Corporations, Indigenous Peoples. My work includes research, advocacy, policy making and recommendations on issues that the HCRAC covers such as human rights education; leprosy, HIV and other diseases; and human rights and business. • Ability to hit the ground running. Proven ability to work with the HRCAC. I am very familiar with the substantive work, processes in the HRCAC, members – Involved in discussions towards Declaration on Right to Human Rights Education, i.a., assisted then-President, Dr. P.V. Quisumbing as she chaired the January 2011 session, in preparations for the earlier sessions, and as the HRCAC lobbied for greater clarity of its role in meetings with the HRC leadership. • Recognized name and expertise among HRC Member States, HRCAC members and OHCHR officers. Panelist in 2 HRC dialogues, frequent statements during HRC sessions, active role in the first Philippine UPR, resource person at OHCHR seminars & activities. • Independence from national government; the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines is an independent body. While I have demonstrated the ability to work constructively with government, this is not at the expense of independence. It is, rather than a modus to keep engaged, to offer recommendations and other input. • Over 26 years of experience in intl. law, human rights, humanitarian affairs and law, intl. development (MDGs and Global Compact), judicial reform, project management and fund-raising, journalism and communications, academe & research, and government – all of which are relevant to the thematic and substantive work of HRCAC. • Ability to work in English, French and Spanish and in multi-cultural settings – Negotiated provisions of the UPR report in 3 languages. Worked and lived in various countries as a journalist, human rights/devt. resource person. I translated draft documents into unofficial English versions for the HRCAC President in January ‟11 so that non-francophones would be able to understand the document in general and make comments during discussions on agenda items. 3