Linkages Series
Pushing our Boundaries. Expanding our horizons.
Focusing Global Philanthropy on Human Rights and Media
The human rights movement is at a pivotal moment. Defending human rights demands a renewed political vision—one that is able to manage the new challenges created by AI and disinformation, that resonates with a wider range of people, and that rebuilds trust in rights and the institutions that uphold them.
With this LINKAGES program, NEID Global intends to help donors better understand the challenges facing human rights norms and institutions, and to create entry points for philanthropists seeking to get involved in shaping the future of human rights policy and action.
Sponsored by:
Speakers
Roundtable Leaders
Program
Focusing Global Philanthropy on Human Rights and Media
A LINKAGES program co-hosted by NEID Global and The Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights, Harvard University
September 16-17, 2026
Wednesday, September 16th - at John F Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
6:00 - Keynote Panel: Focusing Global Philanthropy on Human Rights
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Samantha Power, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations and former Administrator, USAID
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With opening remarks by Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein
Thursday, September 17th - at the David Rubenstein Treehouse, Cambridge, MA
9:00 - Welcome
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Ina Breuer, NEID Global
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Maggie Gates, Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights
9:15 - Exploring how Philanthropy has Approached Human Rights (Landscape Scan)
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Moderator - Darian Swig, Article 3
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Otto Saki, Ford Foundation
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Gabriela Bucher, President and CEO, Global Fund for Human Rights
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Julia Pettengill, Schooner Foundation
10:30 - Coffee break
11:00 - Listening to the Frontlines of Human Rights Defense
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Moderator - Sushma Raman
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Noah Bullock, Executive Director, Cristosal
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John Prendergast, Co-Founder, The Sentry
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Bineta Diop, Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace, and Security and Founder of Femmes Africa Solidarité
12:15 - Lunch (round table conversations led by funders, scholars and activists in Human Rights)
2:00 - The Future of Human Rights
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Moderator - Jessica Stern
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Kerry Kennedy, American lawyer and Human Rights Activist
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James Goldston, Open Society Foundation, Justice Initiative
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Mathias Risse, Director, Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights
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Kumi Naidoo, former Secretary General of Greenpeace and Amnesty International, Founder of Artivism
3:45 - Where Human Rights and Media Intersect
To be announced soon
4:30 - Closing and Call to Action
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Ina Breuer, NEID Global
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Maggie Gates, Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights
4:40 - Closing Coffee Break and Networking
