NEW YORK (Diya TV) — Binaifer Nowrojee, a Kenyan human rights lawyer of Indian descent, is set to make history as the first woman from the Global South to helm the Open Society Foundations (OSF), marking the conclusion of a three-year restructuring phase for the organization.
The unanimous decision by the OSF Board of Directors appoints Nowrojee as the president, succeeding Mark Malloch-Brown. With her extensive background in human rights, Nowrojee has been a pivotal figure at OSF since joining in 2004, previously serving at Human Rights Watch.
George Soros, OSF’s founder, hailed the appointment as a step towards global inclusivity, emphasizing Nowrojee’s leadership supported by an international team. Nowrojee’s appointment reflects OSF’s commitment to fostering diversity and advancing democracy worldwide.
With a JD from Columbia Law School and an LLM from Harvard Law School, Nowrojee brings nearly three decades of experience in human rights advocacy to her new role. She expressed her dedication to promoting justice, particularly for victims of sexual violence in conflict zones.
In her memo to OSF staff, Nowrojee acknowledged the organization’s recent period of change and emphasized her commitment to OSF’s core values of critical thinking and open society principles. She also highlighted the importance of adapting to a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Nowrojee’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for OSF, which has undergone significant restructuring, including a reduction in staff and a new operating model.
