Fellows and Research Assistant with Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer

Challenges to democracy and democratic practice have been on the rise around the world. In the United States, we continue to witness attacks on civil and human rights. The Center’s series on democracy has featured Justice Stephen Breyer, Michael Waldman, Nicole Austin-Hillery, Atiba Ellis.

As the world sees a rise in authoritarian power, the Center has fostered discussions about how lawyers are confronting governments that are denying human rights and justice to people around the world. Global leaders including Wolfgang Kaleck, Maya Foa, and James Goldston shared their experiences of using the law to protect against the human rights abuses of tyrannical governments.

Race-based inequity and injustice plagues countries around the world. The Center’s discussions explore the impact of intersectional oppression, similarities and differences in the manifestation of discrimination, and transnational lessons to learn in the fight for justice. Featured speakers have included Gay McDougall, Maina Kiai, Penny Andrews, Kendall Thomas, and Darnell Moore.

Discrimination and violence on the basis of gender identity are global challenges that are often compounded by other local and global issues. Discussions with global leaders such as Thida Khus, Rosemary Barkett, Fatou Bensouda, and Leymah Gbowee shed light on the impacts of race, socioeconomic/caste status, regional instability, and more on women and LGBTI+ people.

The Center has established a unique series of discussions featuring United Nation Special Rapporteurs. In these conversations, UNSRs share their experiences and what they have learned in their work around the world. Michael Lynk discussed the report he would be presenting to the UN on October 26, 2018 which addressed the deteriorating condition of the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, particularly Gaza, as well as the question of annexation. Professor Philip Alston discussed the connection between living in poverty and the denial/deprivation of basic civil and political rights in the United States.