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.
Critical to our approach is a deep sense of connection and belonging, instilling in our Fellows the importance of humanizing those with whom they disagree, understanding the value of skillfully navigating conflict, and identifying shared values amidst cultural and national differences.
We intentionally and thoughtfully pull Fellows out of their comfort zones to engage with new communities, voices, and perspectives they might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn with and from. Our Fellows learn and practice the interpersonal skills and approaches that are essential to societal transformation.
Through their Action Projects, our Fellows apply the knowledge, perspective, and skills they have gained to a civic initiative of their own design and choosing that demonstrates their commitment to social justice, human rights, and inclusive democracy. The process of designing and implementing these projects serves as additional training to help our Fellows take their next steps on their changemaking journeys. It is also their first opportunity to engage the support of our offices, staff, and alumni in developing both their projects and professional skills, as they join our multinational and intergenerational community.
Using the lessons learned both within the Fellowship and during the completion of their Action Projects, our Fellows develop vital knowledge, connections, and skills that they carry forward into the rest of their lives.
Our Fellows leave our programs with a deeper understanding of the challenges facing our society, our democracies, and our communities; the ability to identify where and how they can influence change; an understanding of coalition building, mutual aid, and effective advocacy; and the inspiration and support to take meaningful action.
