As we look ahead to 2025, Fund staff share why they have hope for change, progress, and a better, fairer future in the new year.
As 2024 comes to a close, we’re feeling hopeful.
It’s no secret—2024 had its share of challenges and setbacks to human rights. From devastating conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Ukraine, to surging right-wing populist movements in democracies across the globe, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or downright defeated.
But every day, the frontline grassroots activists we support give us a million reasons to remain hopeful. Their courage, resilience, and creativity remind us why human rights are more important than ever in a world facing so many crises.
[READ: 5 Human Rights Highlights from 2024]
Before we turn the page on 2024, we asked staff to share what gives them hope for the coming year. We believe their answers will inspire you to share their optimism, and to approach 2025 with hope, humility, and a belief in the possibility of a better world.
The most common refrain was a single word—Syria. Many staff members shared their hopes for the country’s future:
Syria is giving me hope for 2025.
– Adan Obeid, Strategic Partnerships Manager; Liu Zhen Huang, Salesforce Administrator
Peace in Syria.
– Frances Tennyson, Deputy Director for Strategic Partnerships
Again, Syria gives me hope for 2025.
– Haya Natsheh, LEF Communications and Engagement Specialist
Others pointed to important new conversations, emerging technologies and voices, and the power of people coming together as reasons for hope:
What gives me hope for 2025 is the youth, as many of them are so switched on, engaged and plugged in, and they have other ways of seeing things and of connecting.
– Moni Shrestha, Grant Specialist
Seeing the resilience of refugees and local organizations, and knowing that the Fund’s People on the Move Program is playing a role in amplifying their voices and promoting long-term solutions, fills me with optimism for the year ahead.
– Houda Benmbarek, People on the Move Program Consultant
More people are increasingly aware of and vocal about the unfair economic and political system in the United States.
– Rona Peligal, Vice President for Development and Communications
The bright side of artificial intelligence for the underprivileged: students from a small university in rural Burundi built an application that detects viruses on potato leaves in good time!
– Louis-Marie Nindorera, Africa Great Lakes Program Consultant
What gives me hope for 2025 is the way in which I see people coming together (people power, or movement power, if you will), always winning out in the long run. Syria is the clearest example of that, right now, though I believe it is true everywhere.
People coming together to support each other and be human together is like water: it will find a way, even the smallest crack, to create a more just world. The rise of authoritarianism is real, of course, but it is also (seen in that light) a fluke, or at least temporary. I believe we, as humans, tend towards justice. We tend towards care. This gives me hope: that we ultimately are fated to want to be in right relationship with each other and the earth.
– Marianne Mollmann, Director of Regional Programs
Others found inspiration at the intersection of art and activism:
The growing relationship between music and activism is giving me hope for 2025. Whether it’s the work of Irish-language rap group Kneecap highlighting the impact of British colonialism and linguistic imperialism on Ireland and the injustices experienced by the Palestinian people, or activists in the Philippines organizing a series of concerts to mark International Women’s Day, music and change continue to go hand in hand.
– Nick, Digital Communications Manager
Outside a train station not far from my home in East London, there is a beautiful piece of street art calling for peace, justice and dignity for the people of Palestine. I have watched it evolve over many months as detractors have attempted to remove or deface it, and each time it has been back just as bold and as clear in its words as before. This embodiment of resilience has provided me with hope this year—for the collective power of human rights movements to remain present and steadfast in our values even in the face of adversity.
– Tom, Director of Communications
And one staff member found hope in his own closet:
Anticipating a tough 2025 for activists and communities defending rights in an increasingly hostile world, I take inspiration (and literally hope) from the slogan on a T-shirt gifted to me by the Fund’s wonderful partner in narrative change in the Philippines, Active Vista: The hero has hope (Ang Bayani Ay May Pag-Asa) – Hope is my act of resistance.
– James Savage, Enabling Environments for Human Rights Defenders Program Director
As this year ends and a new one begins, may you find your own source of hope—and let it fill you with optimism, inspiration, and excitement for the work ahead.
From everyone at the Fund to all who celebrate, we wish you happy holidays and a healthy, joyful new year.
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