About MIGS

The Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies is recognized internationally as Canada’s leading institute working at the intersection of human rights, conflict prevention and emerging technologies. MIGS is an applied policy think tank that works to inform public policy  in Canada and abroad with the goal of protecting human rights. The institute has achieved national and international recognition for its role as a leadership and ideas incubator working with policymakers, academics, UN officials, civil society organizations and journalists from Canada and all over the world.

MIGS was founded in 1986 by Dr Frank Chalk and the late Dr Kurt Jonassohn. Thanks to the John Lemieux Student and Faculty Fellowships, in  recent years Concordia faculty members and students from the Department of Journalism, Department Political Science and the School of Public Policy have collaborated with MIGS on numerous initiatives.  MIGS is a Concordia University think tank that exists autonomously from the university's departments.

Annual Report 2020-2021

Mission

• Develop major projects and inititves focusing on the prevention and punishment of mass atrocity crimes.

• Provide decisionmakers with insights and advocate for innovative public policies on global threats to human rights.

• Educate students, academics, journalists, government officials, civil society groups, and the wider public on threats to the national interest arising from human rights violations

• Provide professional training opportunities for  international and national leaders in key human rights  areas. 

• Train and offer internships to students and young professionals.

• Develop and foster fruitful relationships and networks at the local, national and international levels by working in collaboration with leading organizations and institutions.

Human Rights Consultancies

As the leading centre for the practice and study of human rights and violent extremism, our staff and Fellows possess expertise across a wide range of displines and fields, including mass atrocity and genocide prevention, technology and human rights, intelligence and security, religious extremism, human rights law, women and conflict, and more. MIGS has experience providing strategic advice and consultancy services to national and international governmental agencies, as well as  NGOS. MIGS has carried out consultancies for the Government of Canada (Global Affairs Canada, Department of National Defence and  Heritage Canada), Foreign Ministries and embassies, NGOs, and  international organizations and the UN.

To make a consultancy-related enquiry, please contact: migs@concordia.ca

Our supporters

MIGS gratefully acknowledges the support of:

• Concordia University
• James Stanford
• The Dym Family Foundation
• The Tauben Foundation

MIGS also receives targeted funding for projects, including from the Robert Bosch Stiftung, Public Safety Canada, and Global Affairs Canada, the Swedish Institute, and The Nexus Fund.