Advancing Peace, Security and Human Rights in an Era of Change
March 18- 19, 2009 Washington, DC
Members and friends of the Peace and Security Funders Group and the International Human Rights Funders Group gathered in Washington, DC for a two-day meeting to hear from policy makers and leading analysts and advocates on the political environment in Washington and opportunities for advancing peace, security and human rights issues. The meeting succeeded
beyond expectations in its objectives of inspiring and informing attendees, as well as encouraging the development of politically-attuned strategies for our philanthropy.
Planning for the meeting was guided by two convictions. First, we believe there is tremendous value in bringing together funders from the closely related worlds of human rights and peace so we can all gain deeper understanding and appreciation of the connections between and the interdependence of these aspirations. Second, we are seized with the critical importance of responding effectively to the very welcome political opportunities afforded by the new Administration and this reflective moment in American political history. Windows of opportunity such as this often close quickly.
Program Highlights
*Keynote speech from Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg *Meetings with Members of Congress and Administration officials in the capitol *Dynamic Experts and Speakers, including: Steve Coll, President and CEO, New America Foundation; Frederick Barton, Co-director of the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Lynn Rusten, former Senate Armed Services Cmte staff and State Dept official; Joseph Zogby, Chief Counsel to Sen. Durbin; Suzanne Spaulding, Principal, Bingham Consulting Group; Catherine Powell, Associate Professor of Law, Fordham Law School; John Isaacs, Executive Director of the Center for Arms Control and Nonproliferation; and Lisa Graves, Deputy Director, Center for National Security Studies. *Substantive sessions and talks on some of the most important issues facing us: Human Rights at Home; US Nuclear Weapons policy; Accountability
for Abuses Committed in the Struggle Against Terrorism; Ending
America’s “Wars” in Iraq, Afghanistan and the “war on terror”; Human
Rights and Peace for Palestinians, Israelis and Iranians; Reforming the U.S. Military Budget; Protecting Human Rights while Fighting Terrorism *Reception with leading NGO’s at the Mott House featuring remarks from fomer funder and U.S. Representative Donna Edwards and Representative George Miller. *Strategy discussions
Meeting Report and Documents
Click here to access 2009 Federal Policy Briefing documents, including the final report, agenda, participant contact information and speakers' bios in the Members' Only section.
