As the Obama Administration launches its historic second term and a new Congress takes its seat, now is the time to take stock of the forces rocking global politics and shaping the national political agenda. Critical issues of human rights and international peace are at stake. Granmtakers came together in Washington, D.C. from March 17 to 19, 2013 to consider how we can best promote international peace and human rights.

At the IHRFG-PSFG Federal Policy Briefing, funders: 

• Gained an understanding of the changing landscape, opportunities, and challenges of the second Obama administration.
• Explored grantmaker strategies and approaches to respond to the opportunities and challenges of the second Obama administration.
• Met, exchanged, and identified collaborative opportunities with human rights and peace and security funders and forged cross-sector relationships.

Critical discussions were held on: 

• The international response to mass atrocities
• Shifting the counter-terrorism paradigm in light of the military withdrawal from Afghanistan
• Lessons learned from policy advocacy campaigns globally  
• Prospects for nuclear disarmament

Dialogues with policy-makers and advocates were held with:

• Antony Blinken, White House Deputy National Security Advisor
  
• Harold Koh, former Legal Advisor to the U.S. Department of State
• Sarah Mendelson, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance, USAID
• Senator Patrck Leahy's (Vermont), Chief of Staff for the Senate Appropriations Committee Timothy Rieser
• Ambassador Melanne Verveer, former U.S. Ambassador at Large for Global Women's Issues
  
• Elisa Massimino, President and CEO, Human Rights First
• Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts

Participants also joined one of several in-person exchanges around Washington, D.C. with officials and advocates to examine a range of pressing issues, including international migration and U.S. immigration reform; women peace and security; and the international disability rights movement.

Review the agenda for more details.