Fighting Injustice and Aiding the Oppressed
For more than a quarter of people living around the world, freedom from their government is not a reality. Militaries and government agencies across the world use fear and force to withhold basic human rights from their citizens. At the McCain Institute, we believe this denial of freedom is a denial of one’s humanity. Inspired by Senator McCain’s words in The Restless Wave, we believe “this shared devotion to human rights is our truest heritage and our most important loyalty.”
It is clear that our work is necessary now more than ever. Currently, 38% of people live in countries considered “not free,” according to the Freedom in the World Report by Freedom House. This means that these folks do not have basic human rights, including the freedom to practice religion or even to wear specific clothing. The Pew Research Center has identified that 28% of all countries have high or very high government restrictions on religion. We acknowledge that these basic freedoms are essential for humanity to thrive and should be rightfully restored.
The McCain Institute elevates the importance of uplifting democracy and human rights at home and around the globe. Our work seeks to reflect the legacy of Senator McCain who routinely spoke up for civility and respect in our political system and those who faced injustice and oppression around the world. The Democracy Programs convene changemakers to confront democracy and human rights issues on a global scale through our three categories of work: American Democracy, Frontline Democracies, and Human Rights Defenders.
American Democracy
American democracy is navigating a period of rapid technological change, declining trust in institutions, and growing challenges to civic participation. As emerging technologies reshape how Americans access information, engage with one another, and interact with government, there is an increasing need for practical, nonpartisan solutions that strengthen democratic resilience.
The McCain Institute’s American Democracy program addresses these challenges through research, convenings, public education, and stakeholder engagement. Focusing on issues such as information integrity, artificial intelligence, civic participation, and democratic governance, the project brings policymakers, practitioners, researchers, journalists, and civic leaders together to develop innovative approaches that strengthen democratic institutions and public trust.
- The American Democracy & Technology Fellowship supports emerging leaders developing innovative solutions at the intersection of artificial intelligence, technology, public policy, and democratic governance.
- Convenings on artificial intelligence and the future of politics bring together policymakers, technologists, researchers, and civil society leaders to explore the democratic implications of emerging technologies and responsible governance approaches.
- Convenings like the Women, Peace, and Security and Technology Futures Symposium (partnering with Our Secure Future) examine how emerging technologies are reshaping conflict, democracy, and human rights, elevating diverse perspectives on the future of governance and security.
- Workshops on artificial intelligence and democracy like Think No More and the AI + Elections Clinic in Phoenix (hosted with ASU’s Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory) equip policymakers, practitioners, and civic leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate emerging technological challenges and opportunities.
Global Democracy
The McCain Institute’s global democracy program defends frontline democracies and advocates for the freedom of political prisoners through expert delegations, analysis and policy work, training and technical assistance, and advocacy. While autocrats are on the rise, sharing tactics and lessons with one another to subvert democracy, democrats have been slower to collaborate and build allied defenses. The McCain Institute addresses this need by providing concrete cross-country assistance to activists, building a community of democratic allies to share best practice and innovations, and producing in-depth analyses and recommendations to influence policy change and action.
- Democracy table-top workshops for civic actors, activists, and independent journalists from frontline democracies to share best practices and lessons learned in defending democracy against rising authoritarianism.
- Advocacy for U.S. support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine through expert and congressional missions and engagement in Ukrainian democratic reform efforts.
- Defending democracy in Georgia through in-country expert missions, risk assessments and analysis, awareness raising and advocacy, and training to Georgian democratic activists.
- The “swing states” initiative focuses on supporting tipping point democracies in decline and/or under threat, heavily influenced by autocratic states, and pivotal in geopolitical competition, starting with expert missions to Moldova and Armenia.
- Thought leadership on global democracy trends and rising authoritarianism through the regular publication of analyses, opinion pieces, election assessments, and case studies to inform policy-making and democratic reform.
- Supporting a free and independent Ukraine by bringing together young leaders for the McCain Global Leaders Ukraine initiative.
John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative
The John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative (FPPI) provides vital support to Americans and green card holders who are held overseas as political prisoners or hostages, as well as dissidents, political prisoners, and hostages from other nations who are held around the world by repressive regimes. Inspired by Senator John McCain, a vocal and passionate advocate for those wrongfully held for fighting against tyranny, and his experience as a prisoner of war for over five years, FPPI provides critical support to individual prisoners and their families.
Human Rights Defenders
Globally, human rights defenders continue to face arbitrary detainment, torture, and murder, in response to their fight for human rights and democratic values. The Democracy Programs prioritize directing resources to and uplifting these activists as they do work crucial for a better future.
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