In Depth
Inside the Archives: George Soros and the Fight for Roma Dignity
For over 40 years, George Soros has been the leading private supporter of Europe’s Roma—the continent’s largest and most excluded ethnic minority—championing Roma leaders in their fight for equality and against deep-rooted discrimination.
Inside Open Society
Forging New Paths to Green Development for the Global South
With climate disasters becoming more frequent and economic insecurity fueling unrest, the green transition can be a vital catalyst for countries to become more equal and prosperous, while protecting the planet.
Visual Storytelling
Q&A: Visual Witnesses: Photojournalism in a Changing World
World Press Photo Foundation's executive director reflects on the organization’s legacy, its evolving role in photojournalism, the impact of AI on the industry, and efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in visual storytelling.
Inside Open Society
Reimagining Drug Policy with Compassion and Justice
Drug policy should be rooted in principles of public health, human rights, and uphold human dignity. Open Society strives to promote humane, evidence-based approaches to drugs and drug use worldwide.
Topics
Latest Voices
Vaccine Justice
Q&A: Africa’s Fight for Vaccine Equity
As the pandemic enters its third year, African Alliance founder Tian Johnson shares reflections on how to make progress in the push for vaccine equity and what African civil society organizations are asking for now.
Ukrainian Resilience
Defending Civil Society in Ukraine
Russia’s war is about Ukraine’s right to exist. This is why people are so determined to defend what’s ours. In the name of vanquishing Ukraine, he has tied together its various strands in an unbreakable bond.
Civil Society in War Time
Q&A: Standing Up for Ukraine
Viorel Ursu, division director with Open Society’s Europe and Eurasia program, shares reflections on Russia’s assault on Ukraine, the Foundations’ legacy there—and what civil society must do in the nation’s hour of need.
Documentary Films
Q&A: Harnessing the Power of Documentary Storytelling
Orwa Nyrabia, artistic director of the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, talks to Open Society about his experiences in Syria as a child and during the war, and its impact on his worldview and creative path
Domestic Workers’ Rights
How Impact Investment in a Digital Platform Can Advance Labor Rights for Domestic Workers in Latin America
Of Latin America’s 18 million domestic workers, most are informally employed. Our Soros Economic Development Fund is investing in a digital platform to legally employ domestic workers and improve labor rights.
Gender-Based Violence
Tackling a “Shadow Pandemic” of Gender-Based Violence
Gender-based violence spiked globally during the pandemic. In the Middle East and North Africa, feminist groups stepped up to aid women under threat.
In Remembrance
Lani Guinier’s Overlooked Education Legacy
The late Lani Guinier thought deeply about the intersection between education and criminal justice. Her leadership at Open Society helped pave the way to colleges across the country offering higher education to the incarcerated.
Latin America
Q&A: A Crisis of the Center Right in Latin America
Analysts have focused on shifts in recent elections in Chile and Argentina. But the broader story in Latin America is the way the rise of the far right has handcuffed the center right, argues Open Society’s Pedro Abramovay.
Roma Rights
Q&A: A Step Toward Justice for Roma Women
In November, the Slovak Republic formally apologized to Roma women for a program of forced sterilizations that stretched out for decades. How a Slovak human rights group helped hold the government accountable.
Participatory Democracy
A Better Way to Govern
2020 saw a huge increase in civic engagement across the country. How to harness that energy to increase the public’s involvement in government decisions shaping their lives.