Global Justice and Human Rights

Seventy-five years on from the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, injustice, oppression, and violence continue to impede human freedom and dignity across the globe. Regional armed conflicts, the unfolding climate crisis, and the rise of authoritarianism all present complex challenges to the pursuit of global justice.

As a global hub that brings government, nongovernmental, and academic leaders together, Perry World House is uniquely positioned to advance research and discourse on human rights policymaking. 

In 2023, with support from the Thakore Family, Perry World House formally launched its Global Justice and Human Rights Program to delve into some of the most pressing human rights issues in our world today. The Global Justice and Human Rights program explore the questions: How can we resist and reverse the human rights backlash? And how do we build a just and equitable future for generations to come? Guided in part by Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the program will continue to deepen Penn students’ understanding of human rights issues and inform faculty research in related areas. It will analyze trends in human rights policy worldwide, host thought leaders with experience directing global human rights initiatives, and create forums for multidisciplinary collaboration on global justice concerns.