Dodd Impact Programs

James Waller, the director of the Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs stand at the podium of the Konover Auditorium in The Dodd Center for Human Rights during a panel discussion.

Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs foster a culture of human rights at UConn, in Connecticut, and around the world through outreach and engagement. We develop and support programs and initiatives that seek to directly impact communities by helping them meet their human rights challenges.

Core Areas

Three students collaborate in a classroom.

Holocaust and Genocide Studies

The core area of Holocaust and Genocide Studies is grounded in the belief that preventing genocide is an achievable goal. There are lessons to be learned, and taught, in preventing genocide from ever taking place, preventing further atrocities once genocide has begun, and preventing future atrocities once a society has begun to rebuild after genocide. This core area includes a post-baccalaureate certificate; training programs for educators and leaders in secondary school, museum, center, civil society, and government sectors; related archival collections; and local community initiatives.

Learn more about Holocaust and Genocide Studies

Human Rights K-12 Education

The Human Rights K-12 Education core area engages educators and youth in the development and implementation of human rights education. Its goal is to encourage civic action in order to strengthen democracy and respect for human rights in our Connecticut communities and beyond. This core area includes our Human Rights Close to Home program and annual Youth Summit; the Malka Penn Award; and related Early College Experience coursework.

Learn more about Human Rights K-12 Education

A large class discusses civic engagement.

A small group in a circle is having a discussion during a Democracy and Dialogues workshop.

Community Outreach and Engagement

The Community Outreach and Engagement core area joins with coalitions and organizations in Connecticut and the Northeast to address fairness and equity in healthcare, employment, education, housing, and more. Working collaboratively, we engage community partners in collective action to address structural inequities in our communities through resources sharing, joint educational programming including panel discussions, exhibits, workshops, fairs, community fora, etc. A central program advancing the work of this core area is the Democracy and Dialogues Initiative.

Learn more about Community Outreach and Engagement

Collaborative Initiatives

The Collaborative Initiatives core area includes two programs that are shared collaborations with the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute (HRI) and other academic entities at UConn: (1) the Business & Human Rights Initiative seeks to develop and support multidisciplinary research, education, and public engagement at the intersection of business and human rights and (2) the Human Rights Film & Digital Media Initiative seeks to foster the creation of, and engagement with, the next generation of human rights and social justice advocates and analysts through digital media.

A panel is discussing "The Territory" in the Konover Auditorium at The Dodd Center for Human Rights as a part of the Northeast Human Rights Film Festival.

A stack of dark navy booklets read "Human Rights and the Global Assault on Democracy."

Signature Programs

Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs also hosts (or co-hosts) a suite of affiliated programs and initiatives that closely align with its public-facing mission. These include the Dodd Prize, the Dodd Summit on Human Rights, and the Levant Initiative (jointly aligned with Abrahamic Programs for Academic Collaboration in the MENA Region and overseen by the Office of Global Affairs).

Our History

Thomas J Dodd stands at a podium during the Nurembourgh Trials.

In addition to continuing to honor the legacy of Senator Thomas Dodd and his service as executive trial counsel to the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, Dodd Impact Programs recognize the ongoing support of the entire Dodd family to human rights programming at UConn.

Christopher Dodd gives a speech at a podium.

In particular, Dodd Impact Programs honor and extends the human rights legacy of Senator Christopher J. Dodd, who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Connecticut, and for peace and justice at home and around the world. Chris Dodd was essential to the founding of the Dodd Center and continues as one of Dodd Impact Programs' most important champions.

The Dodd Center for Human Rights building at night.

To build on and leverage the synergies of UConn’s human rights programs, Dodd Impact Programs are part of the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute (HRI) to create one of the most dynamic centers of human rights teaching, research, and engagement anywhere in the world. As part of HRI, Dodd Impact Programs connect the energy and expertise of human rights faculty and students to community in Connecticut and around the world.

Dodd Impact Programs News

Our People

Leadership

Nana Amos

Director of Community Outreach & Engagement
Co-Director, Democracy & Dialogues Initiative

nana.amos@uconn.edu

Sandra Sirota

Sandra Sirota

Director, Human Rights Close to Home
Assistant Professor in Residence, Experiential Global Learning and Human Rights

sandra.sirota@uconn.edu

James Waller

James Waller

Christopher J. Dodd Chair in Human Rights Practice
Director, Dodd Human Rights Impact Programs
Professor, Literatures, Cultures, & Languages

james.waller@uconn.edu