The Carr Center's new Carr in Conversation series examines human rights issues at home and abroad, bringing in a wide range of experts to discuss how to address challenges to these rights. This fall, we spoke with experts about the continued push for greater civil rights in the United States, the of U.S. foreign policy under a second Trump presidency, the danger of misusing Artificial Intelligence, and more. Watch the videos below to learn from:
- Jill Collen Jefferson, Civil Rights and International Human Rights Attorney; Founder, JULIAN
- Ricardo Hausmann, Founder and Director, Growth Lab, Harvard Kennedy School
- Rachel Adams, Director, African Observatory on Responsible AI
- Asa Hutchinson, former Governor of Arkansas (2015–2023)
- Kenneth Roth, Senior Fellow, Carr Center; Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor, Princeton School for Public and International Affairs; former Executive Director, Human Rights Watch
- Camilo Umaña, Transitional Justice Fellow, Carr Center; former Deputy Minister of Justice, Colombia
Jill Collen Jefferson on the Current State of Civil Rights in the U.S.
Jill Collen Jefferson, Civil Rights and International Human Rights Attorney; Founder, JULIAN
During this conversation with Carr Center Executive Director Maggie Gates, Jill Collen Jefferson discussed the current state of civil rights in the United States in 2024, specifically focusing on racial discrimination and hate crimes committed in the state of Mississippi. She explored different legal theories and methods for obtaining justice for communities of color as well as protecting voting rights going into this year's presidential election.
“In civil rights in America, so often we are just looking at the 1960s. But everybody knows that playbook, so we have to figure out new ways to get what we need to accomplish our goals," said Jefferson.
Ricardo Hausmann on Social and Political Strife in Venezuela
Ricardo Hausmann, Founder and Director, Growth Lab, Harvard Kennedy School
This event featured Ricardo Hausmann in conversation with Freddy Guevara (Democracy Visiting Fellow at the Ash Center). They explored the social and political strife that is currently present in Venezuela, as well as the ongoing series of human rights violations perpetrated by the government as the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) attempts to stifle increased anti-government protests in the aftermath of this past summer’s presidential election. Hausmann also touched on the implications for both the democratic forces in Venezuela and the international community about how to confront dictatorships in the 21st century.
“In Venezuela, 30 years ago, I never thought about human rights, press freedom, or freedom of information. There are a lot of things we took for granted. We took democracy for granted. And now democracy is long gone," said Hausmann.
Rachel Adams on Responsible AI
Rachel Adams, Director of the African Observatory on Responsible AI
Rachel Adams discussed her work on developing the Global Index on Responsible AI: a set of benchmarks to equip governments, civil society, and stakeholders with the evidence needed to examine the efforts of countries to meet their human rights obligations and uphold principles for responsible use in the development and implementation of AI systems.
“Effectively, the majority of the world is living in places where there are not adequate mechanisms to ensure that their human rights are protected from AI misuse," said Adams.
Asa Hutchinson on the Future of the GOP in the U.S.
Asa Hutchinson, former Governor of Arkansas (2015–2023)
Asa Hutchinson joined Carr Center Director Mathias Risse in conversation about what he sees as the future of the GOP in the United States leading up to the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, and discusses his desire for the Republican Party to return to a true conservative party.
“Tariffs are a problem because [Trump] can isolate America economically with the stroke of a pen. I think we’re going to see him exercise a great deal of Executive Power very quickly," said Governor Hutchinson.
Kenneth Roth on U.S. Foreign Policy
Kenneth Roth, Senior Fellow, Carr Center; Charles and Marie Robertson Visiting Professor, Princeton School for Public and International Affairs; former Executive Director, Human Rights Watch
Kenneth Roth served as the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch for nearly three decades. Recently, he joined Carr Center Director Mathias Risse in conversation about the current situation on the ground in Gaza, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, a second Trump presidency, and the future of U.S. foreign policy.
“Trump does have autocratic tendencies, meaning he dislikes checks and balances on his power. He has succeeded in neutralizing a number of those checks—in the courts and in Congress, now. He’s targeting the civil service, and he’s going to hire senior officials who are more yes-people rather than than independent figures. But there’s also the role of media in civil society. Trump would love to silence us, but he’s not capable of doing that. He has to pay attention to that, because in the end, even though he’s elected, everybody is susceptible to public opinion. That is a very important check, and that’s why I do think that it is important that we do not resign, we do not despair, but we use this as a kick in the behind to get engaged," said Roth.
Camilo Umaña on Colombia's Transitional Justice Program
Camilo Umaña, Transitional Justice Fellow, Carr Center; former Deputy Minister of Justice, Colombia
Camilo Umaña joined Professor Kathryn Sikkink in conversation about Colombia’s peace negotiations and his role in organizing the delegation of victims that participated in the Habana's negotiation, his involvement in the Colombian Truth Commission as one of the leading researchers, and his work with the Ministry of Justice and his role as deputy minister in charge of leading the transitional justice public policy.
“Around 80% of people who are in prison in Colombia are there because of street crime. The criminal system is not able to prosecute gross human rights violations, and that is why we need transitional justice in Colombia," said Umaña.