2022: 75 Years on Behalf of Peace
Global and domestic diplomats, including the former president of Peru, an American three-star general and a former U.N. human rights leader, delivered presentations at this year's 75th annual Borah Symposium.
The annual symposium — focused on the causes of war and the conditions for peace — unites world leaders, diplomats, scholars, practitioners and activists to discuss solutions to problems facing the global community. This year’s symposium focuses on the international protection of human rights in events Sept. 22, 27, 28 and Feb. 7 in Moscow.
“We chose to honor the anniversary by highlighting the conditions that allow for peace,” said Dave Gottwald, assistant professor in the College of Art & Architecture and chair of the Borah Committee. “Without justice, there is no peace. But without human rights, there is no justice.”
The symposium, which is free and open to the public, began with a panel discussion titled “Coercive Labor in Nazi Germany and the Pacific Northwest, 1933-45” at 4 p.m. P.T. Sept. 22 at the Bruce M. Pitman Center Vandal Ballroom and via Zoom.
Former Peru President Francisco Rafael Sagasti delivered the opening keynote address at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 in the Pitman Center International Ballroom. Sagasti is an engineer, academic and author who served as the president of Peru from November 2020 to July 2021. He has also served as founder and executive director of the anti-poverty organization Grupo de Análisis para el Desarrollo; advisor to the Ministers of Industry, Foreign Affairs, and Education’ and advisor to the President of the Council of Ministers and the National Planning Institute. Bill L. Smith, Borah Foundation and Martin Institute director, presented “William Edgar Borah and the Outlawry of War Movement” at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 27 and via Zoom.
Three-Star Gen. Erik Peterson, a U of I alum, delivered “War and Peace in the Twenty-Century” at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in the Pitman Center International Ballroom. Peterson is deputy chief of staff G8 in the U.S. Army. He previously served as director of force development and commanding general of First Army Division West. Peterson also held a visiting session with high school students from across the Inland Northwest.
Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein of Jordan, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will deliver the symposium’s closing keynote address on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the Pitman Center International Ballroom. Known for his outspoken criticism of fascism, religious radicalism and threats to civil liberties growing in countries around the world, Zeid is a powerful advocate for human rights and open societies. Zeid was sixth to serve in the U.N. post, from 2014 to 2018. He was also the first Arab and Muslim in the position.
“The Borah Symposium connects what is being learned in the classroom to real-world experiences. Hearing from world leaders and other highly accomplished people is an opportunity students don't want to miss,” said Olivia Niemi, a Borah Committee member and director of sustainability for the Associated Students University of Idaho.
Schedule of Events 2022 and 2023:
Thursday, September 22 at 4 p.m.
- Location: Vandal Ballroom, Bruce Pitman Center and Zoom
- Panel Discussion: “Coercive Labor in Nazi Germany and the Pacific Northwest, 1933-45”
- Moderator: Kristin Haltinner, Sociology Professor at U of I
- Panelists: Rebecca Scofield, Chair of the Department of History at UI; and Wolf Gruner, Professor of History at the University of Southern California and Founding director of the USC Dornsife Center for Advanced Genocide Research
- Presented in conjunction with the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and the Meyerhoff Lecture Series
- To join us virtually, register here.
Tuesday, September 27 at 12:30 p.m.
- Location: Vandal Ballroom, Bruce Pitman Center and Zoom
- “William Edgar Borah and the Outlawry of War Movement”
- Presented by Bill L. Smith, Director of the Borah Foundation and the Martin Institute
- Presented in conjunction with the Renfrew Colloquium
Tuesday, September 27 at 7 p.m.
- Location: Bruce Pitman Center, International Ballroom
- Keynote address
- Presented by President Francisco Rafael Sagasti Hochhausler, Former President of Peru
Wednesday, September 28 at 12:30 p.m.
- Location: International Ballroom, Bruce Pitman Center
- “War and Peace in the 21st Century”
- Presented by Lieutenant General Erik C. Peterson, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, United States Army
Tuesday, February 7 at 7 p.m. (2023)
- Location: International Ballroom, Bruce Pitman Center
- Closing Keynote Address: “Global Challenges to Human Rights Today”
- Presented by Zeid Bin Ra’ad Al Hussein, Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights