The organization, founded in 1997, maintains offices in seven countries: the United States, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The organization began as a pilot project to explore why some societies react to minority populations with policies of tolerance and acceptance while others respond with rising levels of xenophobia, hate and violence.

[1] Goldstein’s initial pilot programs brought together groups of Danish and American students to study this moment in history and its lessons for future human rights challenges.

Students are challenged to explore innovative approaches to safeguarding human rights through a mix of discussions, site visits, film screenings, lectures, and other events.

The organization seeks to educate future human rights leaders through an intense fellowship experience that transcends the norms of a typical college classroom.

The fellowship brings together participants from 10 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States.

Fellowship participants engage in debates, visit nearby historical sites, and meet speakers who work on issues relevant to their interests.

Modeled after the Lantos-Humanity in Action Congressional Fellowship in Washington, DC, this program provides professional work experience within the European Parliament.

Participants of the Diplomacy and Diversity Fellowship engage in group discussions, meet established leaders and write research articles on the issues explored during the program.

Much like its other programs, the fellowship brings together young people from Europe and the United States for a mix of group discussion and educational visits.

[14] More than 1,700 people have participated in Humanity in Action’s fellowship programs since 1999. Notable Senior Fellows of the organization include: In addition to fellowships programs, Humanity in Action organizes international conferences, held in various cities across the Europe, in cities such as Berlin, Sarajevo, Warsaw, Sarajevo, The Hague, Athens, Sønderborg, and Strasbourg.

The first conference in Amsterdam took place in 2010, which brought together 200 Senior Fellows, alumni, and institutional partners to build opportunities for collaboration and share cross-field knowledge.