Tag Archives: africa

LIVE panel with Ruth McDonough ’08, Sultana Khaya, and co. engaged in unarmed civilian protection and nonviolent struggle in Western Sahara

Ruth McDonough ’08 (Religion; Peace and Conflict Studies; Linguistics) is currently engaged in unarmed civilian protection in the home of the Khaya sisters, Saharawi nonviolent activists calling for an independent Western Sahara, who have been under de facto house arrest for more than 500 days.. Learn more.

On Wednesday April 20, we are hosting a hybrid in-person/online event to:

1.) learn more about Western Saraha
2.) join a LIVE panel from the Khaya sisters’ home.

Where: Join online (links below) or come to Kohlberg Hall Room 230

10:30 AM EDT – Primer on Western Sahara by Professor Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of San Francisco, Coordinator of the program in Middle Eastern Studies, and co-author of Western Sahara: War, Nationalism, and Conflict Irresolution.
Online: Register at https://bit.ly/wsahara

11:00 AM EDT – Join the live online panel with Ruth McDonough ’08 and the rest of the team.
Online: Register at https://bit.ly/3jIDzi4

Online participation by the public is welcomed.

Ruth McDonough

Ruth is a current member of the Unarmed Civilian Accompaniment based at the Khaya family home in Boujdour, Western Sahara. Ruth has been an Arabic teacher and strong proponent of cross-cultural understanding and peacebuilding and is the site Director of Middlebury College’s Jiran: Arabic Community Action Summer 2021 to present. Previously, she was head of the World Languages and Cultures Department at The American School in London–London, UK; Arabic Teacher at The American School in London, UK; Field Instructor at Where There Be Dragons, Amman, Jordan; Arabic Teacher at Arabic Summer Academy–Boston, MA, USA; Curriculum Consultant at One World Now, Seattle, Washington and Portland State University–Portland, OR, USA and Arabic Teacher at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School–Cambridge, MA, USA. Ruth served as co-founder/facilitator of Anti-Racism Enquiry Group at The American School in London, co-chair of the Upper School Diversity Committee and co-advisor to SHADES at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School–Cambridge, MA, USA. She is skilled at international and outdoor program management as Ecology Facilitator and Wilderness Trail Co-Leader at The American School in London, UK and an emergency wilderness responder. Ruth lived and traveled in many Arab countries and is proficient at several languages including English, Arabic, French and American Sign Language. She earned a BA in Religion at Swarthmore College with minors in Linguistics and Peace & Conflict Studies and a Certificate in Humanistic Integrative Counseling from CPPD Counseling School.

Sponsored by the Peace and Conflict Studies Program and the Department of Religion at Swarthmore College
Contact: Lee Smithey, lsmithe1@swarthmore.edu

Meet Tiffany Easthom, Nonviolent Peaceforce Executive Director

Meet and greet Tiffany Easthom
Nonviolent Peaceforce Executive Director

When: Friday, October 12, between 4:30 and 6:00 PM
Where: The Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility

Tiffany Easthom
Executive Director, Nonviolent Peaceforce

Ms. Easthom directed NP’s work in South Sudan before becoming Executive Director. She has made presentations on unarmed civilian protection at the United Nations.

Contact: Clarkson Palmer ctpalmer at aol.com

Political Homophobia in Africa

“Political Homophobia in Africa”
A Talk by Professor Kim Yi Dionne
Thursday, March 26th, 7:30 PM
Kohlberg Hall 116
Swarthmore College (directions)

Sponsored by STAND, Forum for Free Speech, and the Political Science Department

The last few years have seen significant state-led homophobic actions in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and a number of other African countries, with Uganda even introducing a bill that would make homosexuality punishable by death.

STAND is bringing Smith College Professor of Government Kim Yi Dionne to discuss the recent homophobic trends in African politics. She will discuss its modern and colonial roots, the political benefits homophobia offers to governments, and the effects of state-sponsored homophobia on LGBT communities.

Kim Yi Dionne’s work focuses on politics, development, HIV/AIDS, and LGBT rights. She has written for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Policy, appeared on the BBC, and is a regular contributor to the Washington Post.

The event is sponsored by STAND, Forum for Free Speech, and the Political Science Department.

Why is the Conflict So Intractable?: 20 Years of Crisis in the DR Congo

Why is the Conflict So Intractable?: 20 Years of Crisis in the DR Congo

A lecture by Prof. Laura Seay, Colby College

Wednesday, April 9th

4:30 PM

Science Center Room 199

Swarthmore College

Laura_Seay_Colby STAND (formerly known as “Students Taking Action Now: Darfur,”) is bringing Laura Seay to discuss the conflict in the DR Congo. She will explain the dynamics of the conflict, which is the deadliest war since World War II, and propose possible advocacy options. Laura Seay is a professor of Political Science at Colby College and is one of the top American experts on Central Africa. She has written for the New York Times, Foreign Policy, the Atlantic, and other prominent publications. Laura Seay has worked with the World Bank and is currently finishing a book called Substituting for the State.

Sponsored by the Political Science Department, the History Department, and Forum for Free Speech.

Carl Wilkens on The Future of U.S. Policy Toward Africa

Carl Wilkens was the only American to remain in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide. Venturing out each day into streets crackling with mortars and gunfire, he worked his way through roadblocks of angry, bloodstained soldiers and civilians armed with machetes and assault rifles to bring food, water and medicine to groups of orphans trapped around the city. His actions saved the lives of hundreds.

Carl Wilkens

Join activist Carl Wilkens, Professor Stephen O’Connell, Professor Timothy Burke, and STAND national student director Mickey Jackson for a panel discussion on

Thursday, December 6

7:00 p.m.

Science Center 101

Sponsored by STAND, Forum for Speech, The President’s Office, The Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility, Department of Economics , Department of History, and Department of Sociology & Anthropology.

Women in War Zones: Sexual Violence in the Congo

Women in War Zones: Sexual Violence in the Congo

Thursday, November 10, 2011

7:00 p.m.

Scheuer Room at Swarthmore College

(maps and directions)

: photo by Julien Harneis (CC license via flickr)

Women in War Zones International is a group of women dedicated to telling personal stories of women in areas of conflict around the world promoting human rights and health, working to prevent war crimes, and helping prevent abuse to women who live in war zones. The actual stories of women will be vividly told through photography and a documentary film screening.

The group seeks to fight injustice against women by education and uniting the audience. Their goal is to empower women by creating programs that promote peace, stability, and opportunities for women.

Sponsored by Peace and Conflict Studies, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and the Africa Consortium.