​Marti Flacks

Khosravi Chair in Principled Internationalism and Director, Human Rights Initiative
Marti Flacks

Marti Flacks is the Khosravi Chair in Principled Internationalism and director of the Human Rights Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The initiative seeks to bring innovative thinking and a multidisciplinary approach to tackle pressing global human rights challenges and better integrate human rights across foreign policy priorities. Ms. Flacks spent more than a decade in the U.S. government, most recently serving at the National Security Council (NSC) as director of African affairs from 2015 to 17, where she coordinated U.S. policy across East and Southern Africa and on continent-wide trade and economic issues. Prior to the NSC, Ms. Flacks spent three years as deputy director of the Office of Energy Programs at the U.S. State Department, leading the department’s work on energy transparency and good governance, and four years working for the U.S. special envoy for Sudan on implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the independence of South Sudan. She joined the U.S. government through the Presidential Management Fellows program at the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to joining CSIS, Ms. Flacks served as deputy director & head of the North America office at the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, a human rights organization focused on the role of business in respecting human rights. Ms. Flacks received a BS in foreign service from Georgetown University, a master's degree from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, and a JD from Columbia Law School. She is originally from Solon, Ohio.
 

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The 2023 Forum on Business and Democracy

As part of the 2023 Summit for Democracy, CSIS will host a half-day Forum spotlighting the critical impact of the private sector on democracy around the world and spotlighting commitments that companies are making to advance democracy. 

Event by ​Marti Flacks , John J. Hamre , Don Graves , Brad Smith , Paige Alexander , Karan Bhatia , and Neil Potts , Alissa Starzak , Thea Lee , Kevin Cassidy , Shawna Bader-Blau , Nate Herman , Richard Nephew , Kathy Sheehan , Michele Crymes , Megan Bridges , Johnny Walsh — March 28, 2023

The Truth of the Matter

Democracy Summit

CSIS’s Marti Flacks joins the podcast to discuss President Biden’s upcoming 2nd Summit for Democracy.

Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and ​Marti Flacks — March 27, 2023

CSIS the truth of the matter

Press Briefing: Previewing the 2023 Summit for Democracy

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) will host a call-in press briefing to preview the second Summit for Democracy, which the United States will co-host with the governments of Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, and Republic of Zambia, on March 29-30, 2023.

Event by ​Marti Flacks , Suzanne Spaulding , and Christopher Hernandez-Roy — March 22, 2023

The Potential Legacy of the Summit for Democracy Process

The inclusion of civil society leaders in the second Summit for Democracy sends a vitally important message about how democracies are built and sustained and provides an opportunity to meaningfully support those on the front lines.

Commentary by ​Marti Flacks — March 21, 2023

The ICC Wants Putin. Now What?

What does the March 17 International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin mean for justice in Ukraine?

Critical Questions by ​Marti Flacks — March 20, 2023

The Expanding Use of Technology to Manage Migration

Through two case studies of migration, this report analyzes the use of migration management technologies by origin countries, the growing influence of destination countries over their decisionmaking, and the human rights risks associated with these uses.

Report by ​Marti Flacks , Erol Yayboke , Lauren Burke , and Anastasia Strouboulis — March 6, 2023

Promise and Peril: Migration Management Technologies in West Africa and Central America

In a series of panels focused on North Africa and the Northern Triangle, experts will discuss the threats posed by the misuse of migration management technology and the critical need for proper safeguards and human rights due diligence.  

Event by Erol Yayboke , ​Marti Flacks , William Brownfield , Badara Ndiaye , Amal El Ouassif , Caterina Rodelli , Ángela Alarcón , and Oscar Chacón — February 22, 2023

Priorities for the U.S. National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct

The U.S. National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct is an opportunity to lay out a comprehensive strategy for engagement with business to improve respect for human rights, build democratic resilience, and advance equitable economic growth around the world.

Report by ​Marti Flacks — February 21, 2023