Borah Symposium
Explore the Borah Symposium
The Borah Symposium is one of University of Idaho’s longest-standing traditions, fostering dialogue and education on global peace and justice. Sponsored by the Borah Foundation, the symposium brings together thought leaders, activists and scholars to explore solutions to the root causes of war and conflict.
Through keynote lectures, panel discussions, student roundtables and community events, the Borah Symposium continues its legacy of inspiring action and cultivating global awareness. Topics range from nuclear disarmament and humanitarian aid to media literacy and environmental conflict.
Whether you're a student, educator, policymaker or concerned citizen, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with the most pressing issues of our time and consider bold strategies for a more peaceful future.
A commitment to peace
Named in honor of Senator William E. Borah, the Borah Foundation supports educational initiatives that promote peace and justice worldwide. A leading voice for diplomacy and international cooperation during his time in the U.S. Senate, Borah believed that education and open dialogue were essential to preventing war.
The annual symposium carries this mission forward by creating a platform for dialogue, critical thinking and action-oriented solutions that reflect Senator Borah’s enduring legacy.
Borah Symposium Fall 2026: The Human Cost of Conflict: War and Resilience
The 2026 Borah Symposium will take place Monday, Sept. 28 through Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at University of Idaho’s main campus in Moscow, Idaho. This event will focus on human resilience in the face of international conflict, featuring a keynote address by Nadia Murad, the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize recipient and an Iraqi human rights activist.
Over the course of three days, the symposium will highlight various aspects of this complex topic, in which we are inviting experts with diverse perspectives to engage with the symposium's theme. The events are free and open to the public.
Borah Symposium Schedule and Speakers
7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28
Location: International Ballroom, Pitman Center
Opening Keynote Address: Presented by Laurie R. Blank, Director of the International Humanitarian Law Clinic at Emory University School of Law.
12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29
Location: Vandal Ballroom, Pitman Center
Panel discussion: “The Human Cost of Conflict: War and Resilience.”
Co-sponsored by the Malcolm Renfrew Interdisciplinary Colloquium
7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29
Location: Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre
Documentary Screening: Love+War, a 2025 documentary following the story of Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Lynsey Addario.
7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30
Location: International Ballroom, Pitman Center
Keynote Address
Presented by: Presented by Nadia Murad, the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Human Rights Activist
Guest speaker bio
Nadia Murad
Human Rights Activist & Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
Human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad became a leading advocate for survivors of genocide and sexual violence after surviving the horrific Yazidi Genocide in Iraq carried out by the Islamic State (ISIS). At the time of the attack in 2014, Nadia was taken captive by ISIS members and forced into slavery, enduring repeated abuse until she was able to escape. Since then, she has shared her story to raise awareness about gender-based violence and has become a powerful advocate for women and communities who experience extreme brutality and abuse.
For her advocacy work, Nadia partnered with Amal Clooney to fight for the legal rights of Yazidis in Iraq, launched her own nonprofit Nadia’s Initiative to help rebuild communities in crisis, and collaborated with like-minded people to create several initiatives aimed at providing enhanced access to care and reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. Nadia also authored the New York Times bestselling memoir, The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State.
In addition to Nadia’s awards and recognitions, she has routinely appeared on NBC News, CNN, BBC, France 24, and other international networks to share her story and speak out on behalf of survivors of genocide and sexual violence. Her written work is included in a range of publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Reuters.
Founded in 2018, Nadia’s Initiative (NI) is dedicated to rebuilding communities in crisis and advocating globally for survivors of sexual violence. NI’s current work is focused on the sustainable redevelopment of the Yazidi homeland in Sinjar, Iraq, where Nadia Murad grew up. When ISIS launched their genocidal campaign, they not only killed and kidnapped Yazidis, but also destroyed the Yazidi homeland to ensure the community could never return.
All of NI’s programs are community-driven, survivor-centric, and work to promote long-term peacebuilding. In line with a grassroots approach to sustainable development, the organization works with the local community and a variety of implementing partners to design, support, and implement projects that promote the restoration and improvement of education, healthcare, livelihoods, WASH, women’s empowerment, and cultural preservation. NI advocates for governments and international organizations to support rebuilding efforts in post-conflict communities such as the Sinjar region, seeks justice for Yazidis by holding ISIS accountable for their atrocities, and advocates globally for survivors of genocide and sexual violence.
Discover the symposium archives
Explore the Borah Symposium’s history through University of Idaho Library’s Special Collections. Dive into decades of keynote addresses, video recordings and archival materials documenting the symposium’s powerful legacy.
A living tribute to peace
In keeping with a tradition begun by Eleanor Roosevelt during the first Borah Program in 1938, the Borah Foundation has established the Borah International Peace Grove as a permanent part of the University of Idaho Arboretum.
The Peace Grove serves as a lasting symbol of the university's commitment to peace, dialogue and global citizenship. Situated within the arboretum, this serene space offers students, faculty, staff and community members a place to reflect, connect and be inspired by the values the Borah Foundation upholds.
Planning peace through collaboration
The Borah Committee is a faculty, staff and student group responsible for planning and organizing the annual Borah Symposium. Each year, the committee selects a timely and compelling theme, identifies keynote speakers and panelists, and collaborates with campus and community partners to bring the symposium to life.
The committee receives office, meeting space and administrative support from the Martin Institute. Over the years, the Borah Foundation and committee have also sponsored mini courses, developed a peace and conflict special collection in the U of I Library and organized essay contests on peace and conflict resolution for both high school and university students.
Support the Borah Symposium
Join us in exploring the ideas and actions that can help build a more peaceful and just world. Your support helps us continue this vital tradition of education, dialogue and global impact.