Zeid Bin Ra’ad

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

Former U.N. human rights leader Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein of Jordan will deliver the keynote speech for University of Idaho’s 75th annual Borah Symposium.

Al Hussein, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, is set to deliver the symposium’s closing keynote address, “Global Challenges to Human Rights Today,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7, in the Bruce M. Pitman Center International Ballroom. Known for his outspoken criticism of fascism, religious radicalism and growing threats to civil liberties in countries around the world, Al Hussein is a powerful advocate for human rights and open societies. Al Hussein 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 speech was postponed from Sept. 28 for unforeseen personal reasons.

The symposium considers the causes of war and the conditions necessary for peace in an international context to honor the legacy of former Idaho U.S. Sen. William Edgar Borah, who served in the Senate from 1907 until his death in 1940. Borah was known for his public speaking skills and advocacy for peace, disarmament and outlawing war.