Themes

Democratic Practice explores the principles, progress, and setbacks of democracy at a time of authoritarian resurgence. OSUN’s programs examine contemporary and historical dynamics of democratic practice and open society, including the erosion of democracy in today’s world, and opportunities to advance democratic practice in the face of current challenges.

Inequalities of multiple types characterize the contemporary world. OSUN’s programs explore the causes and consequences of inequalities within and between societies, including national and global disparities in income and wealth, social and political dimensions of inequality, and various forms of inequality related to gender, race, ethnicity, and forced displacement.

Many of the twenty-first century’s most urgent global problems—from climate change to forced migration to global pandemics—present unprecedented challenges to humankind and have given rise to new forms of social, political and economic injustice. OSUN programs in Global Justice explore how individuals and groups can organize within and across state borders to develop new mechanisms of global governance, agitate for social change, hold power accountable and build more just and inclusive societies at the local, national and global levels.

Arts and Society projects promote expression of contemporary life, including dissent, difference, and the full power of the human imagination. OSUN programs promote cross-cultural study and presentation of work in fields ranging from poetry to film, photography, and dance and connect the arts to politics and society, including freedom of expression and struggles against oppressive regimes.

While all OSUN projects address local and global issues through the seven guiding themes listed above, some projects touch on several or all of the guiding themes.