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Date and Location

September 15, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET
Jfk Jr. Forum

Contact

617-495-1360
Unyielding Principles: The Future of Human Rights in Foreign Policy

The Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights' inaugural Human Rights & Foreign Policy Fellows cohort will convene for a crucial discussion on the role of human rights in shaping American foreign policy. At a time when human rights face unprecedented challenges, in the U.S. and abroad, this distinguished group of Senior Fellows will share their insights on why human rights are essential to national security, global stability, and sustaining democracy. They will also discuss how centering human rights can strengthen American leadership and advance a more just and equitable world.


Featuring:

  • Jessica Stern, Former U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons at the U.S. State Department
  • Desirée Cormier Smith, Inaugural U.S. Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice at the U.S. State Department
  • Maggie Dougherty, Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Organizations at the National Security Council; former Senior Policy Advisor to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley and former foreign policy advisor in the office of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
  • Kelly Fay Rodriguez, Former Special Representative for International Labor Affairs at the U.S. State Department
  • Professor Kathryn Sikkink (Moderator), Ryan Family Professor of Human Rights


Co-sponsor: Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights


Please register with a valid Harvard email address to attend in-person. All JFK Jr. Forums are publicly livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Speakers and Presenters

Desirée Cormier Smith, Inaugural U.S. Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice, U.S. State Department;
Jessica Stern, Former U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons, U.S. State Department;
Kathryn Sikkink, Ryan Family Professor of Human Rights;
Kelly Fay Rodriguez, Former Special Representative for International Labor Affairs, U.S. State Department;
Maggie Dougherty, Former Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for International Organization, National Security Council

Organizer

Institute of Politics (IOP)