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Open Society Foundations

@open-society.bsky.social

3.8K followers 13 following 130 posts

We work to build vibrant and inclusive democracies whose governments are accountable to their people. Our website: https://osf.to Community guidelines: http://osf.to/CG

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 13d

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

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.

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 1d

As the world’s largest private funder of human rights, we protect individual freedoms and fairness, while advancing the dignity and well-being of all people.

Learn more: osf.to/history

#OpenSociety #OpenSocietyHistory #GeorgeSoros #FreedomOfSpeech #FreeSpeech #FreedomOfExpression

2010: Investigative Journalism for South Africa's Public Interest
Open Society partnered with The Mail & Guardian newspaper to set up amaBhungane (Zulu for "the dung beetle") as South Africa's first investigative journalism center for free media.

2015: Bolstering the Internet's Role in Building Just and Open Societies
Open Society joins other philanthropies to support groups that protect the open internet and strengthen access to information for all.

2018: Expanding the Drug Policy Debate through Art
Across London, New York, Montreal, and Mexico City, over 10,000 people visit the Museum of Drug Policy-a pop-up art and cultural hub featuring discussions and public debate about the impact of the "war on drugs."

2024: Creating Space for Free Thought
We launch The Ideas Letter, our online magazine that seeks to reinforce free debate on current issues with contributions from across ideological and intellectual divides.

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 1d

We believe a free and open society depends on people being able to express their views without fear of violence. Our work protects constitutional rights, including free speech and the freedom to peaceful protest.

Our History Supporting Freedom of Speech and Expression
A free and open society depends on people being able to express their views without fear or violence.

1984: Encouraging Dissent Behind the Iron Curtain
Open Society expanded people's access to information in Eastern Europe and Russia, including by distributing photocopiers to independent groups to break the Communist Party's grip on information.

1995: Supporting Freedom of Expression Worldwide
We begin supporting the organizations Article 19 and the Committee to Protect Journalists-working globally to ensure freedom of speech.

2001: Protecting Civil Rights After 9/11
After the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. government limited civil liberties for Americans. The Open Society Foundation's stood firmly for freedom of speech and supported efforts to strike a balance between national security and the protection of fundamental rights.

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 5d

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/

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.

www.stimson.org

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Reposted by Open Society Foundations

Binaifer Nowrojee @nowrojeeosf.bsky.social · 9d

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

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.

n.pr

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 12d

📸© Keita Iijima/Yomiuri/AP, © Rajesh Jantilal/AFP/Getty, © Carl de Souza/Getty, Bryan Anselm/Redux, © Marco Garofalo/Panos/Redux

Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 12d

This reimagining is and must be driven by Global South leadership. Systems need to respond to people’s everyday needs—through inclusion, climate action, and justice.

#OpenSociety #UNGA #ClimateAction #HumanRights

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 12d

World leaders came together in NY for UNGA80 at a pivotal moment of waning global commitment to multilateralism.

It is time to rethink the multilateral system—and reimagine one that adequately protects civilians, upholds human rights, and is grounded in justice, equity, and accountability.

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 13d

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

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Reposted by Open Society Foundations

Project Syndicate @projectsyndicate.bsky.social · 16d

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

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Reposted by Open Society Foundations

Project Syndicate @projectsyndicate.bsky.social · 22d

@open-society.bsky.social President Binaifer Nowrojee will open our upcoming event, The Green Development Agenda, setting the stage for world leaders and experts to discuss how new thinking can drive green development. Register today: bit.ly/4p94eoV #PSEvents #ClimateWeekNYC

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 21d

Together, our organizations will continue focusing on helping people across all backgrounds, geographies, ideologies, and belief systems, to heal, thrive, and live peacefully together, protected by the freedoms guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution.

Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 21d

No one should fear for their safety simply for expressing their views.

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 21d

The recent murders of Charlie Kirk and Melissa Hortman have no place in our democracy. As we extend our sympathies, we must renew our commitment to ensuring everyone has the right to express themselves, even when others don’t agree with or like what they say.

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 21d

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...

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 22d

We mourn Redford's passing and celebrate his legacy as a champion of human rights and environmental causes: osf.to/4n7btfJ

Open Society Mourns Robert Redford’s Passing

Open Society mourns the passing of Robert Redford, a human rights champion whose Sundance Institute partnered with us to foster rising filmmakers.

osf.to

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 22d

Open Society is proud to have long partnered with Redford’s Sundance Institute @sundance.org and its Documentary Film Program, helping independent filmmakers shine a light on injustice in the United States and globally through the power of storytelling.

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 22d

“Robert Redford was a celebrated actor, a talented director, and a voice of conscience. He gave us many memorable films over the past half century and then helped others to use the power of the screen to expose injustice and tell the stories of those resisting it.” —George Soros

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 23d

It is disgraceful to use this tragedy for political ends to dangerously divide Americans and attack the First Amendment.

Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 23d

We are dedicated to upholding the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and strengthening democracy.

We oppose all forms of violence and condemn the outrageous accusations to the contrary. Our work is entirely peaceful and lawful.

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 23d

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.

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · 23d

Democracy is vital for economic justice and for a system that ensures fair outcomes by empowering those typically marginalized and vulnerable. A new report, launched today on International Day of Democracy, unpacks the relationship between democracy and economic justice in Africa: osf.to/4maYJmJ

“A new concept of wealth premised on the eradication of poverty, full employment, more leisure time, ecological sustainability, and economic equality can happen only on the fertile ground of democracy understood as political equality between all.”
—Dr. Ndongo Samba Sylla, Head of Research and Policy for the Africa Region/International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs)

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · Sep 8

The Open Society Fellowship supports public intellectuals from seven global cities that are home to a dynamic circle of thinkers and cultural producers engaged in high-level critical debate.

#OpenSociety #InternationalLiteracyDay #AfricanLiterature

Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · Sep 8

On International Literacy Day she reflects that “literacy freedom is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Literacy and powers individuals to speak to, resist, and to imagine more inclusive and sustainable societies.”

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Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · Sep 8

In Uganda, despite the restricted political climate and anti-LGBTQI+ policies, “there is a strong connection between the diaspora and homegrown literary communities. Diasporan writers were mentoring and applying voices and keeping the literary pulse alive.”

Open Society Foundations @open-society.bsky.social · Sep 8

In Kenya, she found a “literacy scene bursting with energy” as Gen Z creators are “reimagining African literature on their own terms, through self-publishing, building their own spaces, and using digital platforms to assert cultural and political agency.”