About MIGS

The Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) is recognized internationally as Canada’s leading ideas and leadership institute for the prevention of genocide, mass atrocity crimes and violent extremism. MIGS conducts in-depth research and proposes concrete policy recommendations to resolve conflicts before they degenerate into mass atrocity crimes. MIGS has achieved national and international recognition for its role as an idea and leadership incubator working with policymakers, academics, leading research institutions, and the media. Today, MIGS is Canada’s leading voice and international partner on threats to human security. 

MIGS is currently working on countering violent extremism through its DMAP Lab, a policy hub working to combat genocidal ideologies online and work as a counter force against extremists and their ideas. For more information, visit our DMAPLab Project. 

MIGS was founded in 1986 by Dr Frank Chalk and the late Dr Kurt Jonassohn. In recent years, Concordia faculty members and graduate students from Communications, English, Geography, and Political Science have joined in its work, as have colleagues from McGill and the University of Quebec in Montreal. MIGS is part of the Faculty of Arts and Science of Concordia University and exists autonomously from the university's departments.

Annual Report 2020-2021

Mission

• Develop major research programs focusing on the prevention and punishment of genocide and other mass atrocity crimes.

• Collect and disseminate research results to specialist professionals and to the wider public.

• Create and advocate for innovative public policies to prevent future mass atrocities.

• Educate students, academics, journalists, government officials, civil society groups, and the wider public on threats to the national interest arising from genocide and mass atrocity crimes.

• Provide professional training and build mass atrocity awareness and prevention capacity of international and national leaders in key fields

• Offer consultacy services to various entities

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

• Train and offer internships to students and yound professionals.

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 advice and consultancy services to national and international governmental agencies as NGOS. 

- Global Affairs Canada, Department of National Defense

- Consulates and embassies

- Diplomats and Ambassadors

- Action Against Hunger, and other NGOs

- UNESCO

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

Our supporters

MIGS gratefully acknowledges the support of:

• Concordia University
• James Stanford
• The Simons Foundation
• The Dym Family Foundation
• Bram Steinberg
• The Tauben Foundation
• Annie Tobias

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.