The Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) is an independent academic institution, closely linked to the Lund University. RWI was established in 1984, in Sweden. We operate in several countries, covering most regions in the world. We work to contribute to a wider understanding of, and respect for, human rights and international humanitarian law.

The Theory of Change informs our strategy for the next years.  This narrative seeks to explain who we are and how we believe that we make change happen.

We believe that by supporting practitioners and bringing people together around human rights, on the basis of new knowledge and tools developed and connecting theory and practice, we contribute to lasting human rights change.

We also believe that by connecting the global, regional, national and local levels in our work, it becomes more effectual and synergetic.

Our assumption is that changes in knowledge, skills, attitudes, as well as structures can make laws, decisions, and policies increasingly informed by, and applied in accordance with, human rights and that more organisations and institutions better promote, protect and practise human rights.

For this to happen, we need to ensure that:

• Our competencies are aligned with the needs that exist
• We remain a trusted and credible actor
• Our research and other materials that we produce and disseminate are of high quality and reach the intended audiences
• We engage with relevant stakeholders in a context-sensitive manner as part of broader institutional change processes
• Dialogue and similar interaction are organised so as to result in concrete actions