Mission

Shaping a new generation of leaders who act with purpose to shape societies where everyone belongs.

Humanity in Action is a transatlantic non-profit organization that supports democracy, pluralism and human rights through unique educational programs for college students, recent graduates, and emerging leaders.

Our mission is to:

Educate tomorrow’s leaders on past and present human rights challenges through critical historical as well as contemporary inquiries and cross-cultural dialogue, developing essential skills to affect change.
Connect an ever-growing international community committed to strengthening democracy, human rights, and pluralism.
Inspire civic engagement for advancing social equity, responsibility, and justice.

The mission of Humanity in Action is critical and urgent.

Our programs engage with:

The polarization and fractures in society that threaten social cohesion,
Anti-democratic forces, extremism, violence, and the manipulation of truth,
Inequities and discrimination against marginalized and minoritized populations,
Resistance to diversity, equity, inclusion, and restorative justice,
Civic passivity and democratic apathy.

Seeing beyond the realities our tribes want us to see

Our Founding and Evolution

The core tenet of Humanity in Action’s educational programming is learning from historical contexts to meet today’s challenges.

Our fellowships are grounded in what history can teach us about responding to threats against vulnerable populations and communities, and how we can use those lessons to build and support inclusive societies.

Humanity in Action was founded in 1997 with a focus on the 1943 flight and rescue of the Jews in Denmark during the Holocaust. The rescue exemplifies collective resistance in the face of great danger and was also a powerful lesson in how individuals can take meaningful action within their own communities and spheres of influence. It is that lesson that inspires Humanity in Action.

Since our founding, the organization’s scope has grown conceptually, intellectually, and geographically.

Our unique programs in Europe and the United States allow Fellows to learn about specific human rights challenges of the past and present, including peacebuilding and transitional justice, the legacies of slavery and colonialism, and resistance against far-right movements within democracies. These inquiries allow our Fellows to identify themes and throughlines to understand how to catalyze meaningful action.