Binaifer Nowrojee

Leonard Benardo: Reexamining the “Open Society” • Stimson Center Leonard Benardo, Senior Vice President at the Open Society Foundations, joins us to discuss OSF's emergence and evolution, defining values of open societies, and heterodox thinking for turbulent times.

From our origins as a philanthropy during the Cold War to confronting today’s multiple crises, our Senior Vice President Leonard Benardo explores our history, present, and future with Peter Slezkine of the Stimson Center: https://www.stimson.org/2025/leonard-benardo-reexamining-the-open-society/

George Soros's foundation responds to being targeted by Trump for investigation President Trump has hinted that an investigation should be launched into philanthropist George Soros. NPR spoke with the head of Open Society Foundation, which Soros started, about Trump's suggestion.

Attacks against @open-society.bsky.social are not about us, but about the United States slowly losing its democracy, as we have seen in different parts of the world.

We remain true to our values to promote rights, equity, and justice.

My interview with NPR: n.pr/3VE54wr

The Open Society Foundations unequivocally condemn terrorism and do not fund terrorism. Our activities are peaceful and lawful, and our grantees are expected to abide by human rights principles and comply with the law. These accusations are politically motivated attacks on civil society, meant to silence speech the administration disagrees with and undermine the First Amendment right to free speech. When power is abused to take away the rights of some people, it puts the rights of all people at risk. Our work in the United States is dedicated to strengthening democracy and upholding constitutional freedoms. We stand by the work we do to improve lives in the United States and across the world.

Our statement in response to reporting that the Trump Administration is directing investigations without evidence into our operations.

We have to learn from these successes, to interrogate the obstacles, and to push forward with models that work for people, not just for markets or narrow interests, explains @open-society.bsky.social President @nowrojeeosf.bsky.social in her opening remarks at Climate Week NYC. bit.ly/4p94eoV

The convergence of #UN80, #Ezulwini at 20, & the AU’s Year of Justice makes 2025 a decisive moment for solidarity & partnership to advance equitable, inclusive, and representative multilateral order that delivers power, peace, prosperity, & reparations for Africa and for people of African descent.

The Ezulwini Consensus (2005) sets out Africa’s united demand: 2 permanent seats with veto power and 5 non-permanent seats—a demand for recognition of Africa’s sovereignty and voice in global governance.

Africa has 54 UN member states and nearly 30% of the world’s population. Nearly half of the Security Council’s agenda concerns Africa. This imbalance in representation is not technical. It is structural. It is historical.

At #UNGA80, I joined the side event “From Ezulwini to an Equitable World Order.” 80 years since the UN’s founding, Africa still has no permanent seat on the Security Council.

Looking forward to the discussion on Global South leadership in ensuring an inclusive green development agenda.

Attempts to silence speech undermine our democracy and harm all Americans. We’ve signed a letter with 120+ organizations to stand for this fundamental freedom: osf.to/FundamentalF...

The Open Society Foundations have unequivocally condemned the horrific murder of Charlie Kirk. Our thoughts are with his family and all who are mourning his loss.

A free and open society depends on people being able to express their views without fear of violence.

Open Society’s work centers long marginalized and excluded communities that bear great consequences for systemic crises. In many of these communities, women and youth are key drivers of change. We’re proud to partner with and support these movements so that all people can thrive in an open society.

Women’s leadership is driven from the ground up, from women on the frontlines of change in local communities to the election of Claudia Sheinbaum as Mexico's first woman president. The same day she took office, I was proud to become the first woman ever to lead @open-society.bsky.social.

Women bring unique experiences to policymaking, creating greater political inclusivity, placing stronger protection for human rights, and improving overall economic performance.

“When women are in positions of political leadership, they are more likely to pursue policies that advance sustainable development – from access to safe water to providing affordable healthcare.” Binaifer Nowrojee, Open Society President

Women’s leadership can deliver meaningful change. Women are at the heart of many liberation movements, as I emphasized in my recent lecture in Mexico City: osf.to/4n7sZA2

Today we’re launching a series of initiatives to promote social and economic well-being in Latin America by focusing on people’s real needs: access to services, care, a healthy environment, quality jobs, and security.

Starvation in Gaza and Our Global Shame Binaifer Nowrojee sees ample evidence that the country is committing the most serious of crimes in Gaza.

“Palestinians are being intentionally starved to death. Although signs of the coming horrors were clear within months of the war’s onset, many governments averted their eyes. Now, they are failing in their duty to prevent and stop a genocide.”

One where the local leads to change at national, regional, and, ultimately, global level. And one where Africa asserts its place in the world as a continent of leadership, innovation, and ideas, forging new paths, discarding outdated systems, and redefining its future.

Our work in Africa does not exist in isolation. It is a key part of broader efforts, globally, to help build a more just, inclusive, equitable, and peaceful world.

Africa’s youth driving a transformative future Young people on the continent are taking up new initiatives focusing on democracy, resource management and peacebuilding to shift power to people

At a time when many funders are retreating from Africa, we are reaffirming our commitment. As I write in an essay for The Mail & Guardian, this work is African-led and born of African realities: mg.co.za/article/2025...

This work is guided by ubuntu principles—dignity, shared humanity, and justice—and rooted in the conviction that communities on the ground are best placed to make decisions about their lives.

As Open Society’s first president from Africa, I’m proud to continue this tradition with the launch of three, multi-year initiatives that invest in the holistic aspirations of an emerging generation for a more inclusive, just, and peaceful continent.

Those students become part of the generation that saw the fall of apartheid and, as the preamble to the 1996 Constitution states, laid “the foundations for a democratic and open society.”

We at @open-society.bsky.social have always invested in young people in Africa. Our roots go back 45 years to the height of apartheid in South Africa, when our founder, George Soros, undertook his first major act of philanthropy by funding scholarships at the University of Cape Town.

George Soros visits an activist art exhibition in Dakar, Senegal, on April 14, 2013.

George Soros meets with engineers and a crew working to restore gas lines for besieged residents of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, in November 1993, part of his $50 million relief efforts during the war.

George Soros speaks to local media about after-school programs in New York City on October 14, 2004. Open Society's support for the After School Corporation (now ExpandED Schools) in 1998 expanded high-quality after-school activities for students in low-income areas.

George Soros meets with students at a summer camp for Roma youth on the outskirts of Budapest, Hungary in 1997.

Happy 95th birthday to George Soros, the founder of the Open Society Foundations!

In this moment of uncertainty, Latin America—drawing on its history of bold, transformative ideas—can once again offer the creativity and imagination needed to help shape a new order grounded in open society values.

At Open Society, we’re working with governments, experts, activists, and communities across Latin America to create new economic models that both protect the planet and create jobs, are supporting initiatives rooted in “buen vivir,” and developing safety and security solutions.

Latin America is home to some of the most vibrant, courageous movements in the world—from feminist movements to democratic reforms, and the growing push for economic justice and climate action.

Standing up for What's Right in a World Gone Wrong Binaifer Nowrojee, president of the Open Society Foundations, speaks on human rights at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City on 1 August, 2025.

I also had the honor of delivering a special lecture at the iconic National Museum of Anthropology and participating in the Pan-American Congress. osf.to/4ov6mqD

I’m back from Mexico City where I had the pleasure meeting with a wide range of civil society partners, government officials, policymakers, grantees, and @open-society.bsky.social staff.