Human Rights Advisory Committee Update
Photo Credit: Corky Trewin
SeattleFWC26 is committed to using the FIFA World Cup™ as a moment of global focus to make lasting local progress for our City and State. Our commitment to Legacy is built on six pillars: Human Rights, Accessibility, Sustainability, Community, Culture, and Children.
Members of the SeattleFWC26 Human Rights Advisory Committee received an orientation at a Sounders FC Match in September. Committee members heard from SeattleFWC26 CEO Peter Tomozawa and Chief Legacy Officer Leo Flor about World Cup planning and the tournament’s human rights focuses on safeguarding, inclusion, worker's rights, and providing people with access to help when they’ve experienced human rights concerns.
Maria Chavez-Wilcox, CEO of the YWCA for Seattle, King, Snohomish, and United Way of King County CEO Gordon McHenry Jr. are co-Chairing the Committee. Maria and Gordon bring decades of Human Rights and Human Services expertise and deep community connection to their roles. The excellence keeps coming from there with Katie Garrow of MLK Labor, Mike Hatzenbeler of Pioneer Human Services, Ilona Lohrey of GSBA, Jill Nishi of Philanthropies Northwest, Jaelynn Scott of Lavender Rights Project, and Amarinthia Torres of the Coalition to End Gender-Based Violence all generously committing to serve as members of the committee.
SeattleFWC26 is also fortunate to have University of Washington School of Law Professor Anita Ramasastry as a Special Advisor to the Committee. Anita is globally recognized as an expert in human rights and business, and she supported human rights planning for Seattle’s original World Cup bid.
“The World Cup brings a tremendous opportunity to highlight the leaders and organizations doing the critical work to create a fairer, safer, and healthier community every day. As the biggest sporting event in the world comes to our City and State, I am excited and honored to work with this team of expert advisors as we guide the local organizing committee’s work to advance community priorities and build a lasting legacy,” said Maria Chavez-Wilcox.
“The World Cup brings incredible opportunities and risks for human rights in our region. This committee will work over the next two years to provide local advice and accountability to make this global event work better for local communities and priorities. I have confidence we will achieve healthy and appropriate balance of greater Seattle hosting a world event while honoring and respecting the humanity of communities who are too often marginalized,” said Gordon McHenry Jr.
The committee will convene regularly between now and Summer 2026, focusing its 2025 work on advising SeattleFWC26 as it sets Human Rights commitments ahead of the tournament. Over the next six months, SeattleFWC26 will convene additional advisory committees for Accessibility, Sustainability, and Seattle’s FIFA World Cup 26 Juneteenth and Pride matches.
