10 Years at Stanford
Celebrating a Decade of Education, Advocacy, and Impact
On the heels of the global community marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the cornerstone document in the history of human rights, Stanford’s Center for Human Rights and International Justice commemorates its own 10th anniversary during the 2023-2024 academic year. Over the past decade, the Center has grown into a dynamic hub for engaging students through courses and other academic programs, as well as for impactful community-engaged research, and events. Such activities include the popular Minor in Human Rights, competitive international summer fellowship program for students, and high-profile annual lectures – each a notable highlight of the Center’s ever-expanding portfolio.
Center Timeline
2014
The Center moves from UC Berkeley to Stanford to join the Stanford Global Studies division within the School of Humanities and Sciences.
Daily article announcing the Center's arrival to Stanford
2015
The Center gains steam, launching a series of annual lectures in human rights and international justice as well as new, interdisciplinary research programs to combat human trafficking in Southeast Asia.
Annual Public Lecture on International Justice with Amb. Stephen Rapp
Annual Public Lecture on Human Rights with former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay
2016
The Center focuses on growing its academic offerings with the launch of HUMRTS 101: Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives on Human Rights Theory and Practice and approval by the curriculum review committee for the Minor in Human Rights.
Flyer to advertise the Center's new Minor in Human Rights
2017
The Center proudly graduates its first class of human rights minors.
First Human Rights Graduation Ceremony
2018
The Center invests in interdisciplinary programs, launching Virtual Tribunals’ first collection, several resources on human trafficking data, and new work with the Human Rights in Trauma Mental Health Program at the US-Mexico border.
Screenshots of Virtual Tribunals website
Center Associate Director Jessie Brunner and Faculty Co-Director David Cohen co-host a human trafficking conference in Jakarta, Indonesia
2019
The Center moves to a roomy new home in Encina Hall and turns toward course innovation, launching a Spanish-language service learning course on human rights at the border, the Human Rights Careers Intensive, and a service learning trip to Colombia.
Historic Center items on display in new office
New Center lounge space
2020
The Center focused on supporting our student community through the pandemic by shifting both formal and informal activities to a remote, digital model.
Center Co-Associate Directors Penelope Van Tuyl and Jessie Brunner host one of many trivia nights with Human Rights students during the pandemic
2021
The Center’s dedicated faculty and staff were formally recognized by the university. Faculty Director David Cohen received the Miriam Aaron Roland Volunteer Service Prize and Jessie Brunner received the Dean’s Award of Merit.
Professor David Cohen awarded Roland Volunteer Service Prize
2022
The Center welcomes Professor Kiyoteru Tsutsui as Faculty Co-Director just in time to graduate its largest class to date of human rights minors.
Faculty Co-Director Kiyo Tsutsui addresses the audience at a Center event
Human Rights Class of 2022
2023
With an eye on the next decade of growth, the Center eagerly expands its team with the hiring of three new team members as well as the launch of a new program focused on Southeast Asia.
Center staff pictured from left, Natalie Longmire-Kulis, Michael Eastman, Penelope Van Tuyl, Jessie Brunner, Seiri Aragón, Denise Fernández
2024
The Center celebrates its 10th year with students, faculty, staff and the greater Stanford community
Faculty Co-Directors, David Cohen and Kiyo Tsutsui address staff, students, and attendees to the 10-year anniversary family dinner
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, addresses human rights students during a round table event moderated by Faculty Co-Director Kiyo Tsutsui
The Center for Human Rights and International Justice has made a welcome contribution to research and education at Stanford over the past decade. The readiness of Stanford students to work for more just societies at home and abroad is evident in their participation in the Center’s important programs and initiatives.
The Human Rights Center at Stanford was absolutely foundational to my academic journey, providing the warm and nurturing academic space for me to explore and learn new ideas. I haven taken the values and knowledge they instilled throughout my career, and am so glad that they can continue to foster that strength for other students at Stanford.
