The following intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and think tanks do applied work in the field of human security. The description of each organization is adapted from its website. We welcome corrections and suggested additions, Ford Institute for Human Security.
Intergovernmental Organizations
The Human Security Network The Human Security Network (HSN) is a group of like-minded countries from all regions of the world that, at the level of Foreign Ministers, maintains dialogue on questions pertaining to human security. Human Security Unit HSU was established in May 2004 in the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) with the objective of integrating human security in all UN activities.
International Criminal Court The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent international organization and is the first permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.
International Organization for Migration IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
Interpol INTERPOL aims to facilitate international police co-operation even where diplomatic relations do not exist between particular countries. Action is taken within the limits of existing laws in different countries and in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. INTERPOL’s constitution prohibits ‘any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.’
Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group KHPG is active in three main areas: providing assistance to individuals whose rights have been infringed upon and carrying out investigations into cases of human rights violations; developing human rights education and promoting legal awareness through public actions and publications; providing analysis of the human rights situation in Ukraine (particularly with regards to political rights and civil liberties).
Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights OHCHR is a UN agency that is mandated to promote and protect human rights for all human beings.
The Organization of American States Department of Public Security (DPS) It promotes public policies on security, legislation and programs of technical assistance in the OAS Member States. Moreover, it is a forum seeking to promote the analysis and reflection on the new threats to public security in the Hemisphere. For this purpose, the DPS leads research and proposals through the implementation of comprehensive and multi-sector strategies focused on violence and crime prevention, rehabilitation and law enforcement, from a human rights perspective.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) OSCE is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organization. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, human rights, freedom of the press and fair elections.
Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands RAMSI is helping the Solomon Islands to lay the foundations for long-term stability, security and prosperity – through support for improved law, justice and security; for more effective, accountable and democratic government; for stronger, broad-based economic growth; and for enhanced service delivery.
United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations Best Practices Section The goal of the Best Practices Section is to develop and support a culture of best practices in UN peacekeeping operations by learning from experience, problem solving, and transferring best practices in UN peacekeeping.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR is mandated by the United Nations to lead and coordinate international action for the worldwide protection of refugees and the resolution of refugee problems.
United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research UNIDIR is an autonomous institute within the United Nations that conducts research on disarmament and security with the aim of assisting the international community in their disarmament thinking, decisions and efforts.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate for the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention; and facilitate sustainable solutions.
United Nations World Food Program WFP is the food aid arm of the United Nations system. It uses food aid to support economic and social development; meet refugee and other emergency food needs, and the associated logistics support; and promote world food security in accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations and FAO. WFP aims to saves lives, improve the nutrition and quality of life for vulnerable populations, and to help build assets and self-reliance of the poor.
What's In Blue When the Security Council approaches the final stage of negotiation of a draft resolution the text is printed in blue. What's In Blue is a series of insights produced by Security Council Report on evolving Security Council actions. These insights supplement our Monthly Forecasts and other reports and are designed to help interested UN readers keep up with what might soon be "in blue".
Non-governmental Organizations (National and International)
African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims ACTV is a unique African organisation that was created in June 1993 in Kampala, Uganda by African professionals drawn from different walks of life under the guidance of the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT). ACTV is registered as a non-political non-governmental organisation. The organisation is dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights with emphasis on the treatment and rehabilitation of victims of torture by security agencies and armed groups.
Amnesty International Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all.
Anti-Slavery International Anti-Slavery International works at local, national, and international levels to eliminate all forms of slavery around the world.
The Asia Foundation The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports Asian initiatives to improve governance, law, and civil society; women's empowerment; economic reform and development; sustainable development and the environment; and international relations. Drawing on nearly 60 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research.
Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee BRAC is a development organization dedicated to alleviating poverty by empowering the poor to bring about change in their own lives. BRAC was founded in Bangladesh in 1972 and, over the course of their evolution, established themselves as a pioneer in recognizing and tackling the many different realities of poverty.
CARE CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. Their mission is to serve individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world with a special focus on working alongside poor women. They promote innovative solutions and are advocates for global responsibility. CARE facilitates lasting change by: strengthening capacity for self-help; providing economic opportunity; delivering relief in emergencies; influencing policy decisions at all levels; and addressing discrimination in all its forms.
The Carter Center The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering. It seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.
Catholic Charities The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) is focused on helping civilians caught in the midst of armed conflict. They work directly with people who have the power to transform the planning, conduct, and aftermath of conflicts for civilians—from military officials and policymakers to UN bodies and civilians themselves. Their staff is found in places like Syria, Somalia, and Afghanistan, with their headquarters in Washington, DC.
Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue The HD Centre is an independent organization dedicated to helping improve the global response to armed conflict.
Child Soldiers International The Child Soldiers International works to prevent the recruitment and use of children as soldiers.
Enough! Project Enough is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. It focuses on crises in Sudan, eastern Congo, and areas of Africa affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Enough’s strategy papers and briefings provide sharp field analysis and targeted policy recommendations based on a “3P” crisis response strategy: promoting durable peace, providing civilian protection, and punishing perpetrators of atrocities. Enough works with concerned citizens, advocates, and policy makers to prevent, mitigate, and resolve these crises.
European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy ETC aims to conduct research and training programs in the fields of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, working in close cooperation with the University of Graz.
Global Consortium on Security Transformation (GCST) GCST aims to encourage existing south-south and south-north security and development debates in order to promote a change of the existing understanding of security as well as opens spaces for new voices. The dialogue network takes the form of a partnership between eight institutions located in different regions of the world.
Global Witness Global Witness exposes the corrupt exploitation of natural resources and international trade systems, to drive campaigns that end impunity, resource-linked conflict, and human rights and environmental abuses.
Human Rights Watch Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Institute for Security Studies Registered as a nonprofit trust, ISS is a regional research institute promoting human security in South Africa. International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC a worldwide mission to help victims of conflicts and internal violence, whoever they are.
International Council of Jewish Women The International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW) represents 52 women’s organizations in 47 countries around the world working for social justice and welfare for all races and creeds. ICJW provides a voice for Jewish women around the world and a platform for the issues that concern us, our families, and our communities.
International Crisis Group The International Crisis Group is an independent, non-partisan, source of analysis and advice to governments, and intergovernmental bodies like the United Nations, European Union and World Bank, on the prevention and resolution of deadly conflict.
International Federation of University Women IFUW is an international network linking women graduates from all cultures, all fields of study, all professions and all generations.
Médecins Sans Frontières, Doctors Without Borders Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger in more than 70 countries. Mediators Beyond Borders Mediators Beyond Borders - Partnering for Peace & Reconciliation is a non-profit, humanitarian organization of skilled volunteer conflict resolution professionals established to partner with communities in troubled locations worldwide to support them to build their conflict resolution capacity for preventing, managing, resolving and healing from conflict.
Mercy Corps Mercy Corps exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.
Oxfam Oxfam International is a confederation of 13 like-minded organizations working together to end poverty and injustice, from campaigning to responding to emergencies.
Pacific Institute for Women's Health The mission of the Pacific Institute for Women's Health is to improve the sexual and reproductive health of women and girls around the globe via advocacy, public education, program development, training and research.
Peace Corps The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals: 1) Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. 2) Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. 3) Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Refugees International Refugees International advocates for lifesaving assistance and protection for displaced people and promotes solutions to displacement crises.
Save the Children Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world.
Search for Common Ground Founded in 1982, Search for Common Ground works to transform the way the world deals with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative problem solving. We work with local partners to find culturally appropriate means to strengthen societies' capacity to deal with conflicts constructively: to understand the differences and act on the commonalities.
Southern African Regional Poverty Network (SARPN) SARPN is a non-profit organisation that promotes debate and knowledge sharing on poverty reduction processes and experiences in Southern Africa. SARPN aims to contribute towards effective reduction of poverty in the countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) through creating platforms for effective pro-poor policy, strategy and practice.
The Sphere Project The Sphere Project is three things: a handbook containing the humanitarian code of conduct, a broad process of collaboration, and an expression of commitment to quality and accountability. The project’s goal is to improve the quality of assistance to people affected by disaster and to improve the accountability of states and humanitarian agencies to their constituents, donors, and the affected populations.
World Vision International World Vision, founded in the USA in 1950, is an international evangelical relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God." Working on six continents, World Vision is one of the largest relief and development organizations in the world
Think Tanks
American Enterprise Institute The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research is a private, nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics, and social welfare
Brookings Institute The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations that advance three broad goals: Strengthen American Democracy, Foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans, and Secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system.
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States. Founded in 1910, its work is nonpartisan and dedicated to achieving practical results.
Cato Institute The Cato Institute, founded in 1977, is a non-profit public policy research foundation headquartered in Washington, D.C. The mission of the Cato Institute is to increase the understanding of public policies based on the principles of limited government, free markets, individual liberty, and peace.
Center for Global Development The Center for Global Development, founded in 2001 by Edward Scott Jr., C. Fred Bergsten, and Nancy Birdsall, works to change the policies and practices of rich countries and powerful institutions to reduce global poverty and inequality.
Center for Humanitarian Dialogue The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (the HD Centre) is an independent organization, based in Geneva, Switzerland, dedicated to helping improve the global response to armed conflict. It attempts to achieve this by mediating between warring parties and providing support to the broader mediation community.
Center for Strategic and International Studies Founded in 1962, CSIS has grown to become one of the world’s preeminent international policy institutions, with more than 220 full-time staff and a large network of affiliated scholars focused on defense and security, regional stability, and transnational challenges ranging from energy and climate to global development and economic integration.
The European Institute The European Institute is the leading Washington-based public-policy organization devoted to transatlantic affairs. It provides an independent forum for US and European government and corporate decision makers, officials from multilateral organizations, foreign and economic policy analysts, and expert journalists to exchange information, develop innovative policy options, and create new professional working relationships.
Foreign Policy Research Institute Founded in 1955, FPRI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to bringing the insights of scholarship to bear on the development of policies that advance U.S. national interests.
Fund for Peace The Fund for Peace is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit research and educational organization. The organization works to prevent violent conflict and promote sustainable security through research, training and education, engagement of civil society, building bridges across diverse sectors, and developing innovative technologies and tools for policy makers.
Heritage Foundation The Heritage Foundation’s mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. International Peace Institute IPI is dedicated to promoting the prevention and settlement of conflicts between and within states by strengthening international peace and security institutions. To achieve its purpose, IPI employs a mix of policy research, convening, publishing and outreach.
Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) has as its mission to conduct high-quality academic research on questions relevant to the promotion of a more peaceful world. They are an independent and international institute. PRIO engages in the promotion of peace through conflict resolution, dialogue and reconciliation, public information and policymaking activities.
RAND Corporation For more than 60 years, the RAND Corporation has pursued its nonprofit mission by conducting research on important and complicated problems. Initially, RAND (the name of which was derived from a contraction of the term research and development) focused on issues of national security. Eventually, RAND expanded its intellectual reserves to offer insight into other areas, such as business, education, health, law, and science.
The Stimson Center Founded in 1989, the Henry L. Stimson Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to enhancing international peace and security through a unique combination of rigorous analysis and outreach. The Stimson Center's work is focused on three priorities that are essential to global security: strengthening institutions for international peace and security, building regional security, and reducing weapons of mass destruction and transnational threats
Stimson's Future of Peace Operations Program (FoPo) The Future of Peace Operations program builds a broader public dialogue on the role of peace operations in resolving conflict and building lasting peace. Peace operations comprise peacekeeping, the provision of temporary, post-conflict security by internationally mandated forces and peacebuilding, those efforts undertaken by the international community to help a war-torn society create a self-sustaining peace.
Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Established in 1966, SIPRI is an independent research institute focusing on international security, arms control, and disarmament. SIPRI has built its reputation on authoritative, balanced research, including its flagship publication, the SIPRI Yearbook.
United States Institute of Peace (USIP) The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan institution established and funded by Congress. Its goals are to help prevent and resolve violent international conflicts, promote post-conflict stability and development, and increase conflict management capacity, tools, and intellectual capital worldwide.