Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights

"Let no one be discouraged by the belief there is nothing one person can do against the enormous array of the world's ills, misery, ignorance, and violence. Few will have the greatness to bend history, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. And in the total of all those acts will be written the history of a generation."
Robert F. Kennedy

To realize Robert F. Kennedy's dream of a more just and peaceful world, his family and friends founded a living memorial in 1968. For more than 40 years, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial recognized and supported the work of individuals who raise awareness and tirelessly defend human rights across the globe. In 2009, the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial was renamed as the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights (RFKC) and supports human rights efforts through these initiatives and activities:

From its earliest days, RFKC has amplified the work of activists, authors, journalists, and students to a global audience through several annual awards.

The Partners for Human Rights (PHR) program focuses on the power of the individual, working through alliances and organizations, to generate change. In this program, RFKC enters sustained, strategic partnerships with activists and organizations who receive the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, “RFK Laureates,” augmenting their impact and extending their reach to legislators, diplomats, international institutions, and corporations. With RFKC’s ability to mobilize powerful allies, these unique partnerships advance long-term, systemic change in communities across the globe.

The Speak Truth to Power program began as a book by Kerry Kennedy, became a photo exhibit and play, and is now an educational curriculum used in hundreds of schools internationally to educate students about human rights issues and provide tools for creating change in their communities.

The RFK Compass program works with investors to dispel the myth that sound investment decisions can be made without considering human rights issues as major risk factors.

Through its offices in Italy, RFK Europe extends human rights education and advocacy programs across Europe, raising awareness and igniting change in schools and communities.