"Human Rights" is the subject of the Center for Ethics lecture series
Matt Jakubik
Issue date: 2/12/04 Section: News
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In order to educate the College Community on issues relating to human rights across the globe and on the role of the United States in such issues, the Center for Ethics is sponsoring a "Spring Series on Human Rights." According to Dr. Lisa Perfetti, Acting Director of the Center for Ethics and Assistant Professor of French, "the idea came out of a course taught by two of our professors, 'Human Rights in the Americas.'" The course, team taught by Dr. Anna Adams, Associate Professor of History, and Dr. Joan Marx, Professor of Spanish, "concentrates on countries that are notorious human rights abusers, such as Chile [and] Guatemala...," said Adams. Additionally, some focus will be given to the United States' role in violations of human rights in the Americas. "I think that we often take for granted certain rights and don't realize how difficult it is for people in other situations," said Perfetti.
Marx and Adams decided to create "Human Rights in the Americas" course after hearing a paper read at a conference on education for human rights. However, Adams is no stranger to the fight for human rights around the globe. "I've been a member and activist with Amnesty International for many years," she stated. Furthermore, the series marks the end of the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education. "I think that it's a nice way to mark the end of that decade," commented Perfetti.
When asked how she determines which speakers to invite to the College, Perfetti said that she relies on suggestions from other College faculty. "I really count on my colleagues to make suggestions," she affirmed. The speakers chosen for this series were recommended by a group of five faculty members.
The series will feature a wide variety of interesting and diverse speakers and events. For instance, on Feb. 23, Jennifer Harbury, a human rights activist and attorney, will be speaking on the CIA-sponsored cover-up of the death of her husband, a Mayan resistance leader. Also, on Feb. 25, Kanan Makiya, an Iraqi man whom the Bush administration used as a consultant during the War in Iraq will speak on his experiences. Makiya will only be in the U.S. for two weeks, so this is a very rare opportunity to see him speak.
Perfetti hopes that the series sparks student interest in activism. "I hope students will be made more aware of organizations like Amnesty International," she stated. "I want students to be more aware of their the roles as citizens of the U.S. in preserving the rights of people around the world."
Marx and Adams decided to create "Human Rights in the Americas" course after hearing a paper read at a conference on education for human rights. However, Adams is no stranger to the fight for human rights around the globe. "I've been a member and activist with Amnesty International for many years," she stated. Furthermore, the series marks the end of the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education. "I think that it's a nice way to mark the end of that decade," commented Perfetti.
When asked how she determines which speakers to invite to the College, Perfetti said that she relies on suggestions from other College faculty. "I really count on my colleagues to make suggestions," she affirmed. The speakers chosen for this series were recommended by a group of five faculty members.
The series will feature a wide variety of interesting and diverse speakers and events. For instance, on Feb. 23, Jennifer Harbury, a human rights activist and attorney, will be speaking on the CIA-sponsored cover-up of the death of her husband, a Mayan resistance leader. Also, on Feb. 25, Kanan Makiya, an Iraqi man whom the Bush administration used as a consultant during the War in Iraq will speak on his experiences. Makiya will only be in the U.S. for two weeks, so this is a very rare opportunity to see him speak.
Perfetti hopes that the series sparks student interest in activism. "I hope students will be made more aware of organizations like Amnesty International," she stated. "I want students to be more aware of their the roles as citizens of the U.S. in preserving the rights of people around the world."