Apply now for JST’s new Rule of Law, Transparency and Technology Leadership Programme
How can today’s leaders strengthen the rule of law, uphold transparency and build public trust in a rapidly changing world? The rule of law is at the heart of fair, accountable and resilient societies. Strong legal institutions, independent judiciaries and effective...
Same roots, bigger mission – why we’ve rebranded as Just Society Trust
As we mark our 30th anniversary as the John Smith Trust we have rebranded and become Just Society Trust — a name that reflects the evolution of our mission. Thirty years ago, the John Smith Trust (JST) fellowship was founded to support leadership during the...
Rethinking Democracy: Through the Lens of Culture, Trust and Agency
This article introduces a new series of short essays by JST Fellows – leaders working across Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia – exploring how societies can build the trust, agency and resilience needed for an era of fracture and flux. How Can We Secure a...
Turkmenistan: Building regional cooperation for sustainable water management
How can Turkmenistan strengthen water resilience in the face of climate change and the rapid retreat of glaciers across the Central Asian region? JST Fellow Diana Charyyeva is building international connections to support regional cooperation on this shared challenge....
Not Moscow’s Story: One Komi Activist’s Fight to Reclaim the Arctic
While Moscow is trying to transform the Arctic into a military-economic hub, the indigenous communities who have lived there for centuries are losing ground – literally and politically. Lana Pylaeva, a Komi activist and JST Fellow, is advocating to change this. ...
What can green hydrogen offer in a global energy crisis?
As countries struggle to deal with the economic fall-out from the Iran war, Ukraine and Scotland may hold part of the solution for creating a more resilient energy system. The US-Israel war on Iran, and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has brought global energy...
Remembering well: why memorialisation matters for democracy
How societies remember their past is never neutral. From statues and museums to laws and anniversaries, memorialisation shapes who belongs, whose voices are heard, and which futures feel possible. In regions experiencing conflict, democratic backsliding or contested...
Ukraine 4 years on: Loss, Resilience and the Fight for Ukraine’s Future
Today marks four years since the sirens sounded in Kyiv, signalling the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands have been killed or injured. Around 5.9 million Ukrainians have been displaced – many separated from husbands, partners and...