​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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Executive Education

Decoding D.C.: Policy, Power, and People

Decoding D.C.: Policy, Power, and People offers embassy, business, and nonprofit professionals the tools and knowledge necessary to better navigate the Washington policy ecosystem.

Course Date: March 18, 2024
Registration Closes: March 4, 2024

The Future of the Care Economy

Join the CSIS Human Rights Initiative for a panel discussion on the link between the care economy and countries’ economic growth prospects, as well as why meeting this challenge is an economic, social, and national security imperative.

Event — November 16, 2023

Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability Forum- Taking Stock and Next Steps

The Stephenson Ocean Security Project and the Human Rights Initiative will host an impact event to bring together sectoral experts, government representatives, industry leaders, and civil society stakeholders to reflect on the progress made and to explore the challenges and opportunities ahead as we move towards a more sustainable and traceable seafood industry.

Event — September 15, 2023

Press Briefing: Previewing the High-Level Week of UNGA 78

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) will host a call-in press briefing on to preview the high-level General Debate at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 78), which will begin Tuesday, September 19.

Event — September 14, 2023

Cyber Scamming as a New Destination for Human Trafficking Victims

Over 100,000 people have been trafficked to compounds in Southeast Asia where they are forced to conduct cyber scams. Preventing victim recruitment and combating the corruption that enables this crime to thrive will require collaboration from governments, NGOs, and the private sector.

Critical Questions by Lauren Burke Liam Hamama and ​Marti Flacks — August 17, 2023

What Does the ESG Backlash Mean for Human Rights?

The use of ESG considerations by companies and investors has recently faced backlash at the state and federal level in the United States. The CSIS Human Rights Initiative examines the potential impact of these responses on the global ESG landscape and human rights.

Commentary by ​Marti Flacks and Hannah Norman — August 16, 2023

What’s Next for the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act?

One year into enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, the CSIS Human Rights Initiative assesses implementation to date, forthcoming changes in enforcement, and what other steps Congress and the administration may take to address forced labor in the region.

Critical Questions by ​Marti Flacks — June 21, 2023