Author: Victoria Heath

Victoria is a former Program Editor for Women in Security at the NATO Association of Canada. She graduated from Virginia Tech in 2013 with a BA, honours degree in History and Political Science with a focus on the Middle East and women's rights. She was a member of AmeriCorps from 2013-2014 working at Great Oaks Charter School in Newark, NJ as a tutor and advisor for high-risk students. Her interests in security, women's rights and defense issues originate from her family's background in the U.S. military and growing up abroad in the Middle East. She has done previous research in U.S. Foreign Policy and Congressional affairs at Project Vote Smart, as well as research in women's health and refugee issues for the Lutheran World Federation in Kakuma, Kenya. She is also the creator of the Migration and Policy Coalition at the University of Toronto and the Co-Chair of the MGA Crisis Simulation 2016. She is currently pursuing her MGA at the Munk School of Global Affairs and is expected to graduate in 2016. You can connect with her @victoria_heath7 on Twitter or send her an email at victoria.heath@mail.utoronto.ca

Einstein once asked Freud, “Why war?” Freud replied, “Because man is what he is.”

Africa, Asia-Pacific, Culture, Eastern Europe and Russia, Europe, Germany, Human Rights, Immigration, Iraq, Islamic State, Latin America, Peace & Conflict Studies, Peace & Security, Refugee, Rights, Security, Society, Southeast Asia, Terrorism, The Middle East and North Africa, The United States of America, Uncategorized, Victoria Heath, Western Europe, Women, Women in Security August 14, 2015August 17, 2015 Victoria Heath

Victoria asks the questions: Why is sexualized violence so prevalent in modern and historical conflict? Is ISIS’ utilization of sexual violence and slavery the exception or the rule in war?

Sustainable, Local and Multidimensional: Development and Security in Southern Africa

Africa, Human Rights, International Relations, Investment, migration, NGOs, Peace & Conflict Studies, Peace & Security, Refugee, Rights, Security, Society, Uncategorized, Victoria Heath, Women, Women in Security July 13, 2015September 16, 2015 Victoria Heath

Victoria talks with Sindy Zemura-Woodward, who works with the Southern Africa Embrace Foundation, about the intersection between international development, security and women’s rights.

The Ultimate Global Leaders’ Superlative Quiz

Asia-Pacific, Canada, China, Eastern Europe and Russia, Editors' Forum, Europe, Human Rights, India, Latin America, NATO, North Korea, Peace & Conflict Studies, Rights, Saudi Arabia, Security, Society, Southeast Asia, The Middle East and North Africa, The United States of America, Uncategorized, Victoria Heath, Western Europe, Women July 8, 2015July 8, 2015 Victoria Heath

The world is your high school and its leaders, your classmates. It’s time to choose your Class Superlatives with this fun quiz. Judge away!

Reality Hits at the MMVAs: Human Nature and Forced Migration

Africa, Canada, Culture, Defense, Development, Health, Human Rights, International Law & Policy, Iraq, Islamic State, Libya, migration, NATO, NGOs, Peace & Conflict Studies, Refugee, Rights, Security, Society, Society, Culture, and Security, Terrorism, The Middle East and North Africa, Uncategorized, Victoria Heath, Women June 30, 2015June 29, 2015 Victoria Heath

Think the Much Music Video Awards (MMVAs) in Toronto and forced migration have nothing in common? Think again. Victoria explains.

The Threat From Within: Dadaab Refugee Camp

Africa, Human Rights, International Law & Policy, migration, NGOs, Peace & Conflict Studies, Peace & Security, Refugee, Rights, Security, Terrorism, The Middle East and North Africa, Uncategorized, Victoria Heath, Women, Women in Security June 22, 2015June 19, 2015 Victoria Heath

Victoria investigates the rhetoric surrounding the threatened closure of Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya, alongside an interview with LWF Livelihood Officer, Hilda, who currently works in Kakuma, Kenya.

WARNING: This Post Should Make You Uncomfortable

Africa, Asia-Pacific, Canada, Culture, Eastern Europe and Russia, Europe, Health, Human Rights, Latin America, Peace & Conflict Studies, Peace & Security, Refugee, Rights, Security, Society, Society, Culture, and Security, The Middle East and North Africa, The United States of America, Uncategorized, Victoria Heath, Western Europe, Women, Women in Security June 16, 2015June 16, 2015 Victoria Heath

UN Peacekeepers have once again been accused of sexual assault while deployed. Unfortunately, as women, we know our value in a male-dominated world, even at our most vulnerable.