Joshua Castellino to step down from role at MRG

It is with great regret that Minority Rights Group announces the upcoming departure of its Co-Executive Director Joshua Castellino, who leaves to take up the position of Founding Executive Dean for the College of Arts, Law and Social Sciences at Brunel University in London. Joshua has given six years of outstanding service to MRG and to promoting the rights of minorities and indigenous peoples globally. He has ensured that MRG’s work and perspectives are recognized and taken onboard by states and multilateral institutions including the UN.

Speaking on behalf of the whole organization, Anastasia Crickley, Chairperson of MRG, says, ‘I’m sad to announce today the resignation of Professor Joshua Castellino as Co-Executive Director of Minority Rights Group with effect from the end of March. Joshua has not just led MRG, he is a globally recognized advocate for minority rights, has contributed significantly to scholarship which underpins perspectives essential for a fair future and stands resolutely beside those who seek justice from the ground up.’

‘We will all miss him and wish him well in his new role in Brunel, where we know that he will continue to break new ground with the courage and capacity he has shown throughout his career. We look forward to continuing to work with Co-Executive Director Claire Thomas who has the outlook, competence and commitment necessary for MRG’s future and which have already led to clear outcomes for minorities and indigenous peoples across the globe.’

Reflecting on his tenure at MRG, Joshua notes that, ‘MRG has trebled in size, nearly trebled the number of minority and indigenous community groups with which we partner and extended our reach to over 60 countries. It’s been a privilege to work alongside Claire, and I feel confident leaving in view of her continued and ongoing leadership of MRG. Claire’s knowledge of partners, commitment to the struggle and constant ability to innovate have been inspiring to me.  I will continue my own work on minorities and indigenous peoples through research, scholarship and advocacy, alongside my new role in academia.’

Claire Thomas, MRG’s Co-Executive Director, says, ‘MRG will miss Joshua hugely, but we will continue our work inspired by his example and keeping faith with his insights and values to achieve the positive changes that he believes in and has worked hard to achieve over the past six years. I am very grateful to all those who have expressed their support for me and the whole team as we move ahead with our partners and allies to face the very real challenges minorities and indigenous peoples face in today’s world.’

During the past year, Joshua and Claire have overseen the drafting of MRG’s next four-year strategy as well as put in place the financing needed to ensure that the organization can implement it. The new strategy emerges from extensive consultations with partners, minority and indigenous communities, allies, audiences, donors and other supporters. It will focus on achieving protection, equity and environmental justice for minorities and indigenous peoples. Across these three objectives, four cross-cutting themes will drive MRG’s work: data, information and disinformation; humanitarian emergency response; young people; and intersectionality.

Over the past six years, MRG’s major achievements include: retooling the organization’s work to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic; attaining landmark legal rulings and decisions on indigenous land rights in Africa; and launching MRG’s two largest-ever international sub-granting programmes to strengthen civil society in the Middle East and North Africa, and Eastern and Central Europe. Joshua has in particular reshaped the organization’s outlook and activities to reflect a world of 17 sub-regions.

Joshua will be continuing as Co-Executive Director until the end of March. In 2023, MRG’s Council recognized Claire’s many years of achievements in and dedication towards building more inclusive societies worldwide by making her Co-Executive Director. Claire will continue, with support from the Council, to steer and lead the organization at this time of change. Further recruitment will follow in due course so that MRG continues to have the necessary senior management skills and resources in place.