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EVENTS

Upcoming events

    • Wednesday, April 10, 2024
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • TBA

    Register on the Lantos Foundation Website


    Heroes Among Us: Political Prisoners & Hostages

    Heroes Among Us:

    Insight Into the World of Political Prisoners & Hostages


    April 10, 2024

    6:00 - 7:20 pm

    TBA

    Online at wacnh.org


    Join us for a riveting evening as we host a special event featuring Paul Rusesabagina, the renowned humanitarian whose extraordinary story inspired the Oscar-winning film, "Hotel Rwanda." Alongside him will be Beth Cooper, former Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs.

    At this exclusive event, presented by the Lantos Foundation, the World Affairs Council of NH, the Foley Foundation, and the Amer Fakhoury Foundation, attendees will have the unique opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of Mr. Rusesabagina's harrowing experiences as a political prisoner in Rwanda. Moreover, they will gain insights into the impactful collaboration between civil society and government that played a pivotal role in securing his freedom. With a focus on the advocacy efforts of New Hampshire organizations, the evening will shed light on the plight of political prisoners and hostages worldwide, and the fight for justice and liberty for those unjustly incarcerated across the globe.



    Program Schedule


    Welcome – Guila Fakhoury, President, Amer Foundation

    Fireside chat – Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, President, Lantos Foundation, and Paul Rusesabagina

    PanelCivil society and government working together to free hostages

    Beth Cooper, Former Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs

    Diane Foley, President, Foley Foundation

    Zoya Fakhoury, Executive Director, Amer Foundation

    Moderator: Tim Horgan, Executive Director, World Affairs Council NH

    Q&A

    *Following the program, Diane Foley will be available to sign copies of her newly released book American Mother.



    About the Speaker


    Paul Rusesabagina rose to international acclaim for his courageous efforts in saving 1,200 Tutsis and moderate Hutus during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, a tale immortalized on the silver screen. Despite global recognition and even being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush in 2005, Rusesabagina found himself at odds with the Rwandan government's descent into dictatorship under President Paul Kagame.

    In a shocking turn of events, he was abducted, tortured, and subjected to a sham trial resulting in a 25-year sentence. His ordeal sparked a relentless campaign for justice led by a coalition of human rights groups, hostage advocacy organizations, and the State Department’s Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, ultimately securing his release in March 2023.


    Presented By:


    • Wednesday, April 24, 2024
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Salon Rooms, SNHU 2500 N. River Road Manchester, NH 03106
    Register


    Making Sense of the World:

    Allies, What are they Good For?


    April 24, 2024

    6:00 - 7:00 pm

    Academic Center Room 106

    2500 N. River Road Manchester, NH 03106

    Online at wacnh.org


    "Multilateral diplomacy is not easy, but the U.S. is far better at it than most Americans realize." - Amb. Mark Storella on a new form of Multilateralism for America. 

    In a world full of complex challenges that do not respect international borders, it quickly becomes clear that there is a need for international cooperation to address the biggest issues of the day. From Climate Change to pandemics and transnational drug rings, there is no shortage of opportunities for the world to work together. However, it can be challenging and sometime counterproductive to work with different partners to address certain issues. What are the opportunities, risks, challenges, and value that come with a multilateral approach to the world? Join the World Affairs Council of New Hampshire on April 24th at 6:00 pm to discuss this path towards Making Sense of the World.

    WACNH is delighted to announce Ambassador Mark Storella, Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy at Boston University, as the distinguished speaker on Multilateralism. Amb. Storella brings a wealth of diplomatic experience, and his insights will add depth to the discussion on the potential merits and challenges of collaborative international relations.

    In this session, audiences will delve into the crucial questions of what are Allies good for, what are the challenges of alliances, and how we can conceptualize global issues through a multilateral lens. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable perspectives on the role of allies in shaping international relations.

    This is the second installment of the exploration of the United States' role on the world stage in the three-part T. William and Patricia Ayers Global Tipping Point series, "Making Sense of the World". Timely in light of the approaching Presidential election, this series invites distinguished experts to elaborate upon distinct foreign policy approaches. The aim is to present attendees with a well-rounded understanding of the complexities in the nation's global interactions.


    About the Speaker


    Ambassador (ret.) Mark C. Storella is professor of the Practice of Diplomacy at Boston University and Director the BU African Studies Center. Ambassador Storella was a United States Foreign Service Officer for over three decades serving as Ambassador to Zambia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, and Dean of the Leadership and Management School of the Foreign Service Institute.

    Other postings include Deputy Chief of Mission in Brussels, at the U.S. Mission to the UN in Geneva and in Phnom Penh and as Senior Coordinator for Iraqi Refugees and internally Displaced at U.S. Embassy Baghdad. Ambassador Storella is recipient of the Presidential Rank Award, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Excellence in Service Award, the Thomas Jefferson Award presented by American Citizens Abroad, and several Department of State superior and meritorious honor awards. He is a graduate of Harvard College and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Ambassador Storella’s areas of expertise include humanitarian crises, health diplomacy, multilateral diplomacy, as well as diplomatic negotiation and theory.


    Our Partners



The World Affairs Council of New Hampshire is currently planning out its 2024 schedule and will announce new programs soon. Please keep an eye out as the organization works to confirm strong programs for our 70th Anniversary Year.


*We encourage advance registration for all of our programs. For events with a ticket price, online payments can be made using PayPal. If you prefer to register or pay over the phone, please contact our office: 603.314.7970

WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NH
2500 N. River Road - Manchester - NH - 03106

council@wacnh.org - (603) 314-7970

WACNH is an independent, non-profit, educational organization located on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University. © 2010-2021

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