Founded | 1968 |
---|---|
Founder | Ethel Kennedy |
Type |
Operating public charity (IRS exemption status): 501(c)(3) |
Focus | Human Rights |
Location |
|
Area served
|
Worldwide |
Method | Awards, Advocacy, Partnerships, Education |
Key people
|
Kerry Kennedy, President |
Mission | "Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is dedicated to realizing Robert F. Kennedy's vision of a more just and peaceful world." |
Website | http://www.rfkhumanrights.org |
Kerry Kennedy, President
Lynn Delaney, Executive Director
Robert F. Smith, Chairman of the Board
Santiago Canton, Director, RFK Partners for Human Rights
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (formerly the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, or RFK Center) is a human rights advocacy organization, a nonprofit charitable organization that works to realize Senator Robert F. Kennedy's dream of a peaceful and just world by advancing human rights. It works to support recipients of the RFK Human Rights Award, supports investigative journalists and authors through the RFK Book and Journalism Awards, and educates the public and empowers students to create change in the classroom. It is based in Washington, D.C.
After the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, his family and friends founded a living memorial. As that effort grew, more projects came to honor his memory. Originally known as the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial, today the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights is dedicated to advancing human rights through litigation, advocacy, and education.
Established by Kerry Kennedy in 1987, RFK Human Rights consists of three core programs: Partners for Human Rights, which works to create lasting change through litigation, advocacy, and training; Speak Truth To Power, a human rights education program; and RFK Compass, a sustainable investing initiative.
The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award was created by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in 1984 to honor individuals around the world who show courage and have made a significant contribution to human rights in their country.
In addition to receiving a financial award, laureates can partner with the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights on projects to advance their human rights work, benefiting from the resources and technologies at the foundation's disposal. Some have achieved their goals, some are in exile from their home country. The majority continue to live in their home country and work with the support of the center to establish the human rights they are working for. Since 1984, awards have been given to 43 individuals & organizations, from 25 different countries. The 2009 award was presented by President Barack Obama. In 2009, the RFK Center began a partnership with the California International Law Center (CILC) at the University of California, Davis School of Law focusing on the crisis in Darfur.