Chat & Chowder | Prisoners of Hope

Join us for this installment of our popular Chat & Chowder series, featuring Samuel A. Worthington, Senior Fellow at Forus and former President & CEO of InterAction, the leading convener of the U.S. international NGO sector, to discuss his book, "Prisoners of Hope: Global Action and the Evolving Roles of U.S. NGOs."
Chat & Chowder programs are an excellent opportunity to engage with expert speakers and to network with other globally-oriented participants in an informal environment. Each event features a presentation, audience Q&A, dedicated time for networking, and (of course!) a selection of chowders and beverages.

Thanks to the generous support of The Lowell Institute, Chat & Chowder is now free of charge for all participants (Zoom live-streams remain free as well). We sincerely appreciate The Lowell Institute’s commitment to our mission, as well as the support of our venue, Foley & Lardner LLP.

Please consider helping sustain this work by making a contribution here.

This program will be streamed to Zoom from 6:15 to 7:15. To attend the program virtually, please register for the Zoom webinar here.

Advance registration is required. We cannot accommodate walk-ins for the in-person program.

Disclaimer: WorldBoston is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, non-advocacy, educational organization dedicated to fostering civil discourse on international affairs. Our speakers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WorldBoston, our affiliates, or our community.

As an executive, diplomat, and spokesperson, Sam Worthington has shaped the impact of U.S.-based international NGOs on global development and humanitarian action. A recognized leader in global civil society, he brings decades of experience as a CEO, board member, strategic advisor, mentor, and humanitarian expert.

His recent book, Prisoners of Hope: Global Action and the Evolving Role of U.S. NGOs, was published in 2025. Sam currently serves as a Senior Fellow at Forus, a Paris-based network representing 26,000 civil society organizations worldwide.

From 2006 to 2022, Sam was President & CEO of InterAction, the leading convener of the U.S. international NGO sector. He brought together senior stakeholders from governments, UN and multilateral agencies, the private sector, and global civil society to shape policy and action on U.S. foreign assistance, humanitarian response, and global development.

As a Principal on the UN Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), the world’s apex humanitarian body, he collaborated with UN leaders to strengthen the global humanitarian system and diplomacy.

He founded NGO Futures, a program that helps CEOs navigate sector-wide transformations through retreats, seminars, and workshops. In 2015, he was a resident policy fellow at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Bellagio Center, focusing on the evolution of international NGOs.

Previously, Sam served as President & CEO of Plan International USA (1994–2006) and held executive leadership roles within Plan International, a $1 billion global NGO dedicated to advancing girls’ rights.

Beyond his role at Forus, he is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, chairs the Advisory Council of the UN Association-National Capital Area, and serves on the board of Church World Service. His work on board includes the Van Leer Foundation, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Brown University’s Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies, CIVICUS, the UN’s Global Executive Leadership Initiative, InterAction, Plan International USA, Religions for Peace, and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, among others.

Sam holds an MA with distinction from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and a BA from the University of Vermont, reflecting a lifelong commitment to advancing human well-being and rights. He is moving to Rockport, Mass. with his wife, Renée.

Prisoners of Hope explores the successful drive for positive change and the evolving role of U.S.-based NGOs within the global movement for justice and sustainability. How can these organizations amplify the role of local civil society and empower leaders in complex environments? What steps must they take to remain relevant in cross-border partnerships? Through fresh insights, personal anecdotes, and collective wisdom, the book offers a nuanced analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. NGOs. While these organizations have transformed millions of lives through human-centered development and humanitarian response, they must adapt—shifting power to local actors and redefining their accountability to donors. The author reflects on the power of collective advocacy, highlighting lessons from their leadership of InterAction. Standalone chapters offer valuable resources for students and practitioners. Key topics include advocacy and pluralism (Building a Voice); the history and role of NGOs (An Appropriate Role); localization (Going Local); advancing the SDGs (Global Goals and Hurdles); humanitarian response (Humanitarian Action); risk management and accountability (Effective Change Agents); leading NGOs and coalitions (NGO Leadership); and future recommendations (A Relevant Future). The true heroes of our world—those who improve human welfare or save lives—are often from impacted communities. With the right tools, institutional support, and commitment there is no shortage of partners to advance positive change. Prisoners of Hope celebrates humanity’s collective efforts to build a better world. It honors grassroots organizations striving for justice and sustainability, affirming their essential role in shaping a more just, equitable, and sustainable future.

WorldBoston's Chat & Chowder series features key authors on international affairs in an engaging setting. In addition to discussion of a featured book (usually sold at a significant discount), the program offers the opportunity for discussion among members and guests - and of course a selection of chowders and beverages. This Chat & Chowder will be hosted in-person (from 6:00 to 7:30PM ET) and live-streamed to Zoom (from 6:15 to 7:15 PM ET only).

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