In Depth
Inside the Archives: How George Soros Changed End-of-Life Care in America
The Project on Death in America ran from 1994 to 2003, with an ambitious goal: to transform the experience of dying in the U.S. Journalist Elizabeth Rubin spoke with Dr. Kathy Foley, the physician George Soros chose to lead it, to reflect on its impact.
Rebuilding Stronger
Everyday Acts of Ukrainian Resilience
As the fighting in Ukraine intensifies, communities are demonstrating their resilience: supporting veterans, empowering people with disabilities, and creating safe spaces for survivors of violence.
Harm Reduction
Every Overdose Death Is a Policy Failure
The U.S. state of Maine has seen tremendous reductions in overdose deaths, exceeding the national average. This reduction in overdose deaths is the direct result of decades of advocacy and strong policy reforms.
Inside Open Society
People-Centered Approaches to Ensure Security and Rights for All
Safe and secure communities are cornerstones for open societies and strong democracies. At Open Society, we're taking a transformative approach to build safe and secure communities that put people at the heart of the solutions to crime and violence.
Topics
Latest Voices
A Crisis Averted
Fighting the Pandemic in Pakistan’s Prisons
Thanks to the heroic efforts of civil society groups, prisoners in Pakistan did not suffer a mass outbreak of COVID-19. What the near miss underlined, however, is the country’s urgent need for criminal justice reform.
Rest in Peace
Remembering David Rothman, a Liberator and Pioneer
Rothman, a scholar-advocate of the highest order who had a profound influence on Open Society, wrote on a wide array of subjects concerning ethics and medicine, and helped free thousands of people from involuntary institutionalization.
Love Prevails
Q&A: How Marriage Equality Won in Costa Rica
By emphasizing love, equality, and authentic storytelling, advocates for same-sex marriage in Costa Rica were able to overcome a challenging public opinion environment and achieve a landmark victory for LGBT rights.
A More Open Future
Q&A: In Kyrgyzstan, a Small Investment Can Make a Big Difference
Using accessible and innovative approaches such as music, dancing, street theater, and more, rights advocates in Kyrgyzstan are doing the grassroots-level work that is essential for a healthy civil society.
Sex Work Is Work
The Multiplying Threats Facing Sex Workers Today
The COVID-19 virus has disproportionately harmed millions of sex workers, who are grappling with economic catastrophe, a global pandemic, and government policies that make an already dire situation even worse.
Bring Them Home
Q&A: Racial Justice and Restitution
During a moment of reckoning with the legacies of racism, the African Foundation for Development is working to return objects to Africa that were looted during the eras of colonialism and imperialism.
Event Recap
A History of Presidential Lies
While U.S. President Donald Trump is known for lying, a new book from the journalist Eric Alterman argues that he is far from the first president to do so—and raises questions about the relationship between executive power and “alternative facts.”
Strength in Numbers
Q&A: How Collaborative Journalism Defeats Censorship
Responding to increasingly violent attacks on reporters all over the world, the organization Forbidden Stories brings journalists together to amplify the stories that enemies of a free press want to keep hidden.
Public Health First
Incarceration Should Not Be a Death Sentence
Despite earlier promises to fight the spread of COVID-19 by reducing the number of nonviolent offenders in jails and prisons, governments worldwide are dragging their feet and prioritizing the drug war ahead of public health.
Standing Up to Big Brother
Q&A: A Big Step for Global Privacy Rights
By ruling against a government intelligence agency, one of the most powerful courts in Germany has struck a blow for data privacy and free expression.