Madeleine Albright Headlines Wellesley Panel on Refugee Crisis

WELLESLEY, MA – Former secretary of state Madeleine Albright will headline a public forum this weekend on the ramifications of the global refugee crisis and how to move beyond resettlement into rebuilding society.

The forum will be comprised of two panels, beginning with a keynote speech by Albright. Thirteen international leaders of experts have been assembled for the forum, including George Papandreou, president of Socialist International and former Greek prime minister; Anne C. Richard, assistant secretary of state for Population, Refugees and Migration; and Manal Omar, associate vice president of the Center for Middle East and Africa, United States Institute for Peace.

"We are privileged to welcome 13 esteemed experts who each offer valuable insight on the refugee crisis facing our global community," Albright said in a statement. "Now is the time to engage in open discussion on how we as leaders and global citizens alike can join forces to best manage this international crisis. I am delighted that Wellesley College offers us an inclusive environment where we can have these important conversations."

The forum, "From Exodus to Action: Claiming Our Common Humanity in the Refugee Crisis" begins at 10:15 p.m. on Feb. 26. Both panels are free and open to the public; for those who cannot attend, the event will be live-streamed on Wellesley’s website.

"History is watching our action (and inaction) as the displaced, the persecuted and those fleeing war and strife seek safety, new lives, new homes," Wellesley College President Paula A. Johnson said in a statement. "We must not forget that women and girls are especially at risk. These same women and girls—as well as the millions fighting for their rights—will be the agents of change we need to create a way forward for everyone. Wellesley College is proud to be part of that movement, and this year’s Albright Institute Public Dialogue is evidence of our commitment."

Photo via Wellesley College