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A Commitment to Promoting Human Security
Placing Lives, Freedoms and Capabilities at the Center of Sustainable Development and Security
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Discover the Ford Institute's research, student engagement, and global partnerships in the 2025-2026 Annual Report.
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...to protect the vital core of all human lives in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfilment. ...[human security] means protecting people from critical (severe) and pervasive (widespread) threats and situations. It means using processes that build on people’s strengths and aspirations. It means creating political, social, environmental, economic, military and cultural systems that together give people the building blocks of survival, livelihood and dignity.
The Ford Institute for Human Security officially launched the Building Bridges for Political Empowerment: Krista Reitz Network for Political Advocacy and Women’s Education in Latin America, a new interdisciplinary initiative developed in partnership with the Center for Latin American Studies in Spring 2026 to combat online violence against women in politics.
The Krista Reitz Network will foster cross-regional research collaborations, support policy-oriented programming, and build durable connections between academic institutions and frontline advocacy organizations working to address digital threats to women's political participation.
Learn more about our research and follow updates on our research page!
20 Years of the Ford Institute for Human Security
The Ford Institute recently held an event to celebrate its 20th anniversary and the launch of a new research program. The event opened with remarks from the Director of the Ford Institute, Dr Müge Finkel & the Associate Dean of GSPIA, Dr. Erica Owen. It featured a selection of guest speakers & panel discussions. Follow the links below to view event highlights & information on the "Online Violence Against Women in Politics" research.
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Learn about Ford's events and programming from our Annual Report.
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