Human Rights Initiative
The CSIS Human Rights Initiative, launched in 2014, promotes a proactive, resilient global human rights agenda that reinforces democratic values as a central component of a comprehensive foreign policy
It seeks to generate innovative solutions for government, civil society, and the private sector to build respect for human rights and works to integrate human rights priorities across U.S. foreign policy interests. Current focus areas for the Human Rights Initiative include exploring how respect for human rights can help build sustainable and inclusive democracies; analyzing how to align and leverage private sector interests to further human rights priorities; and responding to egregious current human rights abuses.
Contact
- Lauren Burke
- Senior Program Manager, Human Rights Initiative
- 202.775.3286
- LBurke@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Paige Montfort
- Assistant Director of Communications, External Relations
- 202.775.3173
- pmontfort@csis.org
Featured Analysis

Photo: Fotosearch/Getty Images
Progress and Possibility: Reflecting on 75 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Opening Remarks
CSIS's Marti Flacks delivered opening remarks as CSIS commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Transcript — December 6, 2023

Someone Has to Lead
Commentary by Daniel F. Runde — December 1, 2023

One Anniversary, Two Declarations: The UDHR and the Inter-American Human Rights System
Commentary by Christopher Hernandez-Roy — December 1, 2023

The Evolving and Incompletely Realized Human Right to Water
Commentary by David Michel — December 1, 2023

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The Forgotten Lessons of the UDHR
Commentary by Hadeil Ali and Rafi Demerath — November 30, 2023
Past Events

Progress and Possibility: Reflecting on 75 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Future of the Care Economy

Rising to the Moment - Launching USAID's new Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance

Seafood Alliance for Legality and Traceability Forum- Taking Stock and Next Steps
All Human Rights Initiative Content
Filter by
Operationalizing the G7 Commitment to End Forced Labor in Global Supply Chains
Commentary by Marti Flacks and Steven Orientale — May 31, 2023
Reflecting on Rana Plaza: The Evolution of Corporate Engagement on Human Rights in Supply Chains since the 2013 disaster
Event — April 24, 2023
Reflecting on Rana Plaza: The Evolution of Corporate Engagement on Human Rights in Supply Chains since the 2013 disaster
Transcript — April 24, 2023
The UDHR at 75: A Conversation with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
Event — April 18, 2023
The UDHR at 75: A Conversation with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
Transcript — April 18, 2023
The 2023 Forum on Business and Democracy
Event — March 28, 2023
Democracy Summit
Podcast Episode by H. Andrew Schwartz and Marti Flacks — March 27, 2023

The Potential Legacy of the Summit for Democracy Process
Commentary by Marti Flacks — March 21, 2023
The ICC Wants Putin. Now What?
Critical Questions by Marti Flacks — March 20, 2023
The Expanding Use of Technology to Manage Migration
Report by Marti Flacks Erol Yayboke Lauren Burke and Anastasia Strouboulis — March 6, 2023