Human Rights Milestones: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward

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As the United Nations marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the University of Minnesota Law School’s Human Rights Center celebrates its 30th anniversary, Professor Posner will examine the considerable progress that has been made on human rights globally. At this tumultuous time in our country, he will assess the current state of human rights and offer his thoughts on how to tackle the daunting challenges we face going forward.

Michael Posner is the Jerome Kohlberg professor of ethics and finance at NYU Stern School of Business and Director of the Center for Business and Human Rights. Posner served in the Obama Administration from September 2009 until March 2013 as the Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Prior to that Posner was the longtime Executive Director and President of Human Rights First, a U.S.-based human rights advocacy organization. He was also a visiting lecturer at Yale and Columbia law schools. Posner has played a major role in shaping U.S. policy from inside and outside of government on issues ranging from refugee and asylum law and policy, to national security and human rights, to Internet freedom, and most recently on a range of business and human rights issues. Posner chairs the board of the Fair Labor Association, which addresses supply chain labor issues in the apparel, athletic footwear, and agriculture sectors.

The University of Minnesota Law School’s Human Rights Center, currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, promotes research on real-world challenges, prepares future lawyers with the commitment and skills to defend human rights, and partners with civil society, governments, and institutions to impact law, policy, and practice.