Usha Prashar, Baroness Prashar

thumb|Official portrait of Baroness Prashar Usha Prashar, Baroness Prashar is a British politician and a crossbench member of the House of Lords. Since the 1970s, she has served as a director or chair of a variety of public and private sector organisations. She became the first chair of the Judicial Appointments Commission upon its creation in April 2006. Quotes "The judiciary must be seen to uphold the values of justice and independence for which they are renowned." "Greater independence is intended to enhance public confidence in the judiciary, and also to ensure that the system of appointments is efficient, fair and transparent." From the speech, 'Judicial appointments: a new system for a new century' delivered at the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies. March 27, 2007 "Whatever system you construct you have to make sure that the composition of the selection body is independent and that body implements its processes fairly and openly." Exclusive : In Conversation with Baroness Usha Prashar, Member of House of Lords, and UK’s First Judicial Appointments Commissioner. December 6, 2013 “It is not an exaggeration to say that liberal democracy is in a desperate state.” “Political regimes may be based on electoral politics, but the rule of law, minority rights, freedom of the press, and other liberal protections are in danger.” "Freedoms once lost are difficult to regain." “Disillusionment with politics is rife, and many democracies are sliding toward autocracy.” “Concern and outrage is not enough. We must understand the causes and develop strategies to respond to them.” Independent member of the UK House of Lords Baroness Usha Prashar delivers fourth Palliser Lecture on “Democracy and Civil Society – A Shrinking Space?” March 21, 2018 "I did not want to be a social worker. I wanted to be an agent of change. I believe in social action,” “Voluntary action is the mark of a free society.” "If you do things for the right reason you succeed." "When you’re the leader, never try to score all your own goals, instead, empower other people to score the goals, this way you motivate other people." Leading Women: Baroness Usha Prashar. January 18, 2021 “It’s like litmus paper, it tells you what’s wrong with your organization as a whole.” Baroness Usha Prashar reflects on how her life experiences deepened her insight into the various forms that discrimination can take. January 18, 2021 "What I witnessed as a child was the way my father and my mother treated people. For them, people were equal whether they were black or white." "Human rights are about human dignity and how people are treated. It is about wellbeing, about living a self-sufficient life, a life in which you are not below the poverty line. It also encompasses self-esteem. It’s about not treating people as inferior." "A society cannot be classified as a caring, equal society if it does not uphold dignity of its citizens." "The guiding principle of any society should be how to make sure that all citizens can lead a dignified life." "When you talk, listen and try to understand different perspectives barriers, real or imagined, begin to disappear and real conversations begin." "Nobody can be completely neutral in a situation, but a good mediator needs to remember what both parties are trying to achieve and seek to reach that outcome." "Women tend to underestimate their abilities. Often women say, ‘oh I don’t know… if I am ready for this job’, whereas the men would say, ‘oh yes, I can do the job.’" First Women Interview with Baroness Usha Prashar. February 1, 2021 External Links Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:Alumni of the University of Glasgow Category:Alumni of the University of Leeds Category:British people of Indo-Kenyan descent Category:British women chief executives Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Prashar, Usha Prashar, Baroness Category:English Hindus Category:English people of Indian descent Category:Kenyan emigrants to the United Kingdom Category:Kenyan people of Indian descent Category:Life peeresses created by Elizabeth II Category:Life peers created by Elizabeth II Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom Category:National Council for Voluntary Organisations chief executives Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom Category:People of the British Council Category:Social Democratic Party (UK) politicians Category:British women nonprofit executives Category:20th-century Hindus Category:21st-century Hindus