The Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights serves as the hub of the Harvard Kennedy School’s research, teaching, and training in the human rights domain. The center embraces a dual mission: to educate students and the next generation of leaders from around the world in human rights policy and practice; and to convene and provide policy-relevant knowledge to international organizations, governments, policymakers, and businesses.

About the Carr-Ryan Center

Since its founding in 1999, the Carr-Ryan Center has dedicated the last quarter-century to human rights policy.

EVENTS
From Intern to the White House: A Journey in Diplomacy and Policy
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 | 01:00PM
From Intern to the White House: A Journey in Diplomacy and Policy
Friday, November 14, 2025 | 04:30PM
Study Group: The Right to Peace with Hon. Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji Session Four
Monday, November 17, 2025 | 12:00PM
Study Group: Legislative Attacks on Belonging & Diversity Session 2
Monday, November 17, 2025 | 05:00PM
Carr-Ryan Conversations: Protecting Human Rights at the Texas-Mexico Border
Monday, November 17, 2025 | 05:00PM
Study Group: Workers' Rights in the Global Economy Session 3
Wednesday, November 19, 2025 | 10:00AM
Intersex Rights Movement Today: Successes and Challenges
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News and Announcements
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Carr-Ryan Commentary
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Justice Matters Podcast
 

Governing Ireland Through Transformational Change

Leo Varadkar, the former Prime Minister of Ireland discusses contemporary human rights and global democracy on the occasion of his new memoir. 

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Black Women and the Making of Human Rights

Keisha Blain talks about her new book “Without Fear: Black Women and the Making of Human Rights.”


 

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Righting Wrongs

Ken Roth, former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch about his new book Righting Wrongs: Three Decades on the Front Lines Battling Abusive Governments.

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Misinformation and Digital Threats: War in Ukraine

Anna Romandash discusses the impacts of misinformation in the global narrative around the war in Ukraine.

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Making LGBTQI+ Rights a Global Priority

Jessica Stern talks about the state of LGBTQI+ rights around the world.

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Collective Healing

Yara Sallam talks about the experiences of women human rights defenders in Egypt and Tunisia as well as her personal history following the Arab Spring.

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See All Justice Matters Episodes

View and listen to all of the Justice Matters podcast episodes in one place.

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“The Carr-Ryan Center is building a bridge between ideas on human rights and the practice on the ground—and right now we’re at a critical juncture around the world.”
Mathias Risse, Faculty Director
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