The winner of the 2024 NSW Human Rights Medal is Rosanna Barbero.
This prestigious medal recognises an individual who has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to advancing human rights in NSW.
Rosanna Barbero is the CEO of Addison Road Community Organisation. She has made a lasting and meaningful contribution to advancing human rights over the past two decades. On a daily basis, she translates international human rights norms into practical and immediate action and support for all who seek assistance.
Rosanna was born in southwest Sydney to Italian migrant parents. While growing up, she recognised the power of language and utilised her ability from a young age to fearlessly support her parents and other migrants in NSW.
Her recognition of injustice at an early age led to an extraordinary career spanning the globe, fighting for the recognition and advancement of human rights for the most vulnerable people and communities.
In the early 2000’s, Rosanna created a Southeast Asian or based in Cambodia, Womyn’s Agenda for Change (WAC) and the first Asian worker-led sex workers union, Women’s Network for Unity, in the Global South. She successfully ceased a HIV+ drug trial on Cambodia sex workers resulting in global changes to ethical standards and practices for drug trials involving participants in developing countries.
After spending time in Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Rosanna has been dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable people, particularly women, people of colour, and those who are economically disadvantaged here in NSW.
Driven by her passion and fierce protection of the human right to food and shelter, today Rosanna works tirelessly through the Addison Road Community Organisation (ARCO) to ensure that the vast need of tens of thousands of people are met every day.
As CEO of Addison Road, Rosanna has pioneered programs as broad as emergency food relief and food wastage, to the hugely successful ‘Racism Not Welcome’ campaign. Her commitment to gender equality, LGBTQI+ inclusion, anti-poverty campaigning, and respect and engagement with First Nations communities all speak to her unwavering belief in respect and inclusion.
Rosanna’s extensive global experience was the turning point for ARCO. Under her leadership since 2011, ARCO has become one of the most recognised social justice hubs in NSW, ensuring that the vast needs of thousands of people were met at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recognising that access to safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food is a human right, Rosanna has reduced barriers for the community to access food in a way that ensures dignity and choice for people.
During the start of the pandemic Addison Road was one of the few organisations operating to provide food relief and support to the most isolated, poor and vulnerable. These emergency food parcels delivered to people’s homes literally saved lives.
She saw firsthand the increase in racial abuse towards international students and people of Asian descent at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This sparked the mobilisation of support which led to the nationally recognised ‘Racism Not Welcome Campaign,’ a community-led, grassroots initiative to acknowledge the existence of racism, validate people’s lived experiences with racism, and normalise conversations about racism while igniting change.
At least 20 Councils across Australia have adopted the campaign since its inception.
Since 2021, through the centre she has established a number of successful projects and programs to promote inclusive community arts and cultural events, as well as accessible medical and social welfare services, providing inclusive and dignified support for the community.
Through ‘Addi Road’, Rosanna hopes to bring a sense of power to those who feel powerless, as well as establishing a strong sense of community.
“To me a true community isn’t about a geographical boundary, the same social class, or network. It’s about feeling connected to one another and being responsible for what happens in your world,” Rosanna says.
“I’m 56, and I still believe in change and the power of humanity. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t do what I do. I witness that power on a daily basis. There are always wins and gains that give you energy,” she says.
Rosanna will always be working to better the lives of the people she is so passionate about protecting.
