Head of Legal Research: Open Democracy Advice Centre

Freedom of expression — the right to be informed and to translate that information into action — goes to the heart of what it means to be human. Like all intrinsic rights, it must be protected. Stellenbosch-born, 29-yearold Gabriella Razzano stands guard in defence of this liberty. After graduating with a BA LLB she cut her teeth as a law clerk at the Constitutional Court. Here, she found the professional calling she harnesses today as Head of Legal Research at the Open Democracy Advice Centre (Odac). Odac provides practical legal counselling to individuals and organisations with a social justice agenda. Razzano’s research frequently results in parliamentary submissions. To expand her frame of reference she contributes to global framing discussions on the issue. Notably, she was a member of the original drafting team that created the African Union’s Model Law on Access to Information, which was adopted in February 2013 by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

— Taryn Mackay

Twitter: @jablet Website: opendemocracy.org.za