Abdel Dickoâs passion for human rights is palpable. A U3 Joint Honours Political Science and African Studies student, Dicko was recently selected as a 2021 Rhodes Scholar, joining the ranks of 146 other Âé¶čAVians who have received the prestigious award since its creation in 1902.
Dicko hopes to complete an MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy while at Oxford, followed by a Master of Public Policy in his second year. While his future is undoubtedly bright, his road to Rhodes is paved with experiences, both in and outside the classroom, that have fueled his determination to contribute to a better world.
Building blocks of a bright future
Born in CĂŽte dâIvoire, Dicko was witness to the devastating effects of the countryâs political crisis at the time. âI observed firsthand the impact that poor political decisions, colonial legacies, and an entrenched culture of impunity could have on peopleâs lives,â he says. At the same time, however, Dicko looked up to leaders like Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Thomas Sankara or Kofi Annan for inspiration. âThese menâalso sons of Africaâwere able to defy all odds and break systemic barriers to achieve their full potential and leave an indelible mark on the world,â he notes.
When Dicko was nine years old, his family immigrated to Canada, initially settling in Montreal and then Ottawa. As a self-described third culture kidâa term used to describe children who grew up in an environment that is culturally different from those of their parentsâDickoâs move from CĂŽte dâIvoire to Canada helped shape his career aspirations.
âGrowing up, I tended to compare and question outcomes and living conditions in the various places that I considered home, and I grew to realize that law and politics were important factors to consider,â he says. âI thought that, through a career in public service and law, I could have a positive impact on peopleâs lives and provide my humble contribution to building a more just, fair and equitable world.â
Leading by example
Dicko was initially attracted to studying at Âé¶čAV as he was eager to return to Montreal; it has always held a special place in his heart for being the first city he discovered upon moving to Canada. As a Âé¶čAV undergrad, Dicko led by example in various leadership positions on campus, including in the Black Studentsâ Network of Âé¶čAV, the African Studies Studentâs Association, and the Desautels African Business Initiative. âIf I can give one piece of advice to future Âé¶čAV students, it is to get involved on campusâit will truly enrich your university experience,â he says. âGetting involved made me grow as a person and complemented my classroom studies.â
A series of internships helped him get involved beyond the Roddick Gates as well. After his first year at Âé¶čAV, he interned with the Office of the Law Clerk and Parliamentary Counsel of the Canadian House of Commons: âGrowing up in our nationâs capital, working on Parliament Hill was like a dream come true,â he says. His second summer internshipâoffered through the Arts Internship Officeâwas with the Commission of Human Rights and Administrative Justice of Ghana. With the generous support of the Carol and Lloyd Darlington Arts Internship Award, Dicko was able to move to Accra, Ghana, to work as a human rights research intern.
Last summer, he was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants to intern in the Protection Unit of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Canada Branch Office in Montreal.
âGaining experience within the UN system before graduating was a major goal for me,â he says -- one he was able to achieve through the support of the Arts Internship Office and the Allan A. Hodgson Arts Internship Award. âWorking for the UNHCR, especially during this unprecedented and traumatic year, was a truly eye-opening experience,â Dicko notes. âWorking within an organization that strives to protect the rights of some of the worldâs most vulnerable populationsâduring a pandemicâmade me realize the crucial importance of working together to build bridges from ignorance to empathy, from despair to hope, from division to a recognition of our shared humanity: Ubuntu.â
Destination: Oxford
Although Dicko is thrilled to be part of the 2021 cohort of Rhodes scholars, he admits his studies arenât the only reason heâs excited to be moving to the UK: heâs a lifelong football (soccer) fanâand a former competitive player. âAs a huge English Premier League follower and Chelsea F.C. fan, I also hope that I will be able to watch a live game at Stamford Bridge before wrapping up my studies,â he says.
Dicko aspires to use his Oxford education to amplify marginalized voices. âI look forward to furthering my studies at the intersection of international relations, conflict studies, human rights, and public policy, with a particular focus on the African continent,â he says. After Oxford, he hopes to enter law school and go on to a career in international law and diplomacy.
While Dicko sees his Rhodes scholarship as an immense privilege, he also sees it coming with the important responsibility of âfighting the worldâs fightâ. âThis means a lifelong commitment to public service and striving to make justice, dignity, happiness, and equal opportunities a reality for as many human beings as possible,â he says. âWinning the Rhodes scholarship is a reminder to never forget where I come from, to never compromise my values, and to always dare to dream big!â