A New Year of Connecting, Learning, and Creating Together
January 5, 2026
As we step into 2026, we are greeted with a meaningful opportunity to begin the year intention. It is a chance to pause, reflect on what matters most, and consider how to best show up for one another. This moment invites us to be clear-eyed about the challenges before us while also holding space for what is possible: communities that are just, joyful, and grounded in respect for the inherent dignity of every person.
At the Wassmuth Center, this intention guides everything we do — from the programs we design to the partnerships we cultivate. We support learners of all ages in developing the knowledge and skills to recognize, interrupt, and prevent injustice. We know that education is a powerful catalyst for meaningful change. And while the path forward is complex, we remain steadfast in our belief that learning together—through reflection, dialogue, and shared inquiry—can transform both individuals and the communities in which we live .
Four core values drive our work and inform every program, resource, and partnership at the Wassmuth Center:
- Dignity is our foundation, rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It affirms the inherent worth of every person and the right to live free from discrimination, violence, and oppression.
- Diversity recognizes and celebrates the wide spectrum of human identities, experiences, and cultures that enrich our communities. It calls us to create spaces where all voices are valued, differences are honored, and everyone can participate fully and authentically.
- Equality affirms that everyone deserves the same rights, access, and opportunities to thrive. It challenges us to identify, confront, and dismantle systemic barriers so full participation and belonging are possible for all.
- Joy emerges in moments of connection and delight, showing what is possible when people are welcomed, valued, and empowered. More than a feeling, joy fuels engagement, sustains action through difficulty, and nurtures hope that a better world is possible.
These values come alive through the work we carry forward each year, and 2026 promises to be a vibrant year of connection, learning, and growth. We look forward to the Cultivating Compassionate Communities Conference, where dialogue and collaboration will spark new ideas and deepen shared commitments to advancing human rights. We are also excited to welcome a new cohort of learners into the Human Rights Certificate course this winter, along with new cohorts of Wassmuth Youth Leaders and Wassmuth Human Rights Education Fellows later this spring. Thousands of kindergarten through university-level students will visit the Wassmuth Center for hands-on field trips that inspire curiosity, reflection, and meaningful learning. And we eagerly anticipate the Hansberger Arts Awards Showcase where we will experience and celebrate the powerful creative work of student artists whose voices remind us what dignity, diversity, equality, and joy can look like in action.
None of this is possible without your support. We are deeply grateful to each of you for walking alongside us. Your curiosity, care, and commitment make advancing human rights possible. Thank you for continuing to connect, learn, and create with us. Together, we are building a future rooted in dignity, strengthened by diversity, guided by equality, and sustained by joy.