Mission & Vision
Founded in 1969 by Nobel Peace Prize laureate René Cassin, the René Cassin Foundation – International Institute of Human Rights is dedicated to the defense and promotion of human rights in France and around the world. The Foundation operates with complete independence and a spirit of scientific inquiry and service, engaging in education, research, and public awareness. Based in Strasbourg, the European capital of human rights, the Foundation is a hub for legal experts, scholars, practitioners, and youth committed to advancing individual freedoms and global justice.
The Foundation’s flagship programs include the annual Summer Session in international human rights law, regional training programs across Africa and Latin America, a Chairs of Excellence program that advances innovative research, and youth-oriented awareness campaigns. Its growing partnerships and educational initiatives reflect a steadfast commitment to building a more just and humane society through knowledge, collaboration, and international engagement.
Actions Led
The René Cassin Foundation promotes and defends human rights through three main areas: education, research, and raising awareness among youth and citizens.
Education and Training: For over 54 years, the René Cassin Foundation has organized the Summer Session, bringing together over 200 participants from 50 different countries in Strasbourg for one month. This session is structured around three modules: international human rights law, international humanitarian law in collaboration with the CIRC, and international criminal law. Additionally, the René Cassin Foundation organizes an Intensive Training course on refugee law.
Moreover, the René Cassin Foundation organizes annual sessions in Latin America and Africa. These training sessions, held over the course of a week, focus on a theme related to international human rights law and local challenges. The themes are chosen in collaboration with our local partners.
Research: The René Cassin Foundation supports research in the field of international or regional human rights law by awarding two René Cassin thesis prizes each year: one in English and one in French.
Furthermore, the Foundation has developed an innovative project: the René Cassin Chairs of Excellence. Five laureates are selected by a jury of internationally recognized experts, and are gathered for six months in Strasbourg to develop a unique project on a human rights-related theme. The first edition, in 2023, focused on “Children and Armed Conflict,” the second, in 2024, was dedicated to “Humanity and the Climate Challenge.” In 2025, five laureates will work on the theme “Electoral Processes, Rights, and Freedoms.” The fourth edition, in 2026, will address “Disability, Rights, and Freedoms.”
Raising Awareness Among Youth and Citizens: The René Cassin Foundation organizes fun activities to raise awareness among youth. Additionally, the Foundation aims to develop the “School of Freedoms” project in 2025-2026, a project “by and for youth” that will sensitize them to human rights and later appoint them as Young Human Rights Ambassadors.
Finally, the René Cassin Foundation supports cultural projects, including exhibitions. From September 2026 to January 2027, Strasbourg will host the exhibition “Right to Freedom – Martin Luther King,” supported by the King Foundation, led by Martin Luther King’s daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King.
We are also supporting the “Thinking of You” exhibition project, an artistic and committed initiative dedicated to survivors of sexual violence.
Projects That U.S. Donors Can Support
Cultural Exhibitions
The René Cassin Foundation supports several cultural exhibition projects that address topics related to human rights. These exhibitions are often accompanied by educational programs. The Foundation needs support to expand these awareness-raising activities through art, focused on human rights.
Training Programs
The René Cassin Foundation organizes numerous training sessions in the field of human rights, both in France and abroad, for judges, lawyers, civil society members, professors, students, national and international officials. In order to make these trainings accessible to as many people as possible, the Foundation keeps registration fees low. The Foundation requires support to implement these training activities.
English-Speaking PhD Thesis Prize
The René Cassin Foundation encourages the development of research in international human rights law by awarding the René Cassin PhD Prize each year, for one French-language thesis and one English-language thesis on the following topics:
• International Human Rights Law
• Regional Human Rights Law
• Comparative Human Rights Law
• Legal Theory of Human Rights
The winners of the René Cassin PhD Prize are offered publication fees for their thesis with the prestigious Pedone Editions, within the René Cassin Foundation Publications collection.
Help us fund our English-Speaking PhD Prizes.