14 — December 2023 — Union Leader
Human Rights Conference spreads Nelson Mandela’s message Ndaba Mandela, the grandson of former South Africa president and human rights icon Nelson Mandela, will lead a list of internationally renowned speakers headlining the Kean University Human Rights Conference on Friday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon. The conference — organized by the Human Rights Institute at Kean — this year marks the 75th anniversary of the passage of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, with the theme “Freedom, Equity and Justice for All.” Joining Mandela as speakers will be Sophia Kianni, an Iranian-American climate change activist and the youngest appointed United Nations advisor; John Prendergast, a New York Times best-selling author and co-founder; and actor George Clooney, of the human rights organization The Sentry. “Kean’s annual Human Rights Conference tackles issues of crucial importance, but none, perhaps, as important as this year’s recognition of human rights as a worldwide imperative,” said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet. “At a time when our world is stricken by war, and we have witnessed suffering on a global scale, the Human Rights Conference at Kean — featuring notable speakers such as Ndaba Mandela — shines a light on the need to
Kianni is a student at Stanford University and founder of Climate Cardinals, an international nonprofit that translates climate information into more than 100 languages. Prendergast’s Photos Courtesy of Margaret McCorry organization, The Sentry, is an invesAbove, from left, Ndaba Mandela, grandson of fortigative and policy mer South Africa president and human rights icon team that follows the Nelson Mandela, will speak at the 16th annual dirty money conHuman Rights Conference at Kean University on Frinected to war crimiday, Dec. 8, as will Sophia Kianni, founder of Climate nals and transnaCardinals, and John Prendergast, co-founder of the tional war profiteers. human rights organization The Sentry. He has worked for protect the rights of all people.” the White House, the State Department, Co-founder of the Africa Rising Foun- the National Intelligence Council and held dation, author and one of BET’s “28 Men other posts. He is also a former Anne of Change,” Mandela speaks of growing Evans Estabrook Human Rights Senior up with his grandfather and the great Fellow at Kean. Felice Vazquez, senior leader and humanitarian’s message that vice president of planning and special one person can make a difference. counsel to the president at Kean, said past “I carry with me the values of my HRI conferences have explored issues grandfather,” he said. “I am an African such as disability justice, food insecurity and I know what it means to be African, and the importance of voting. and I’m proud of it.” “Kean is proud to welcome the public
to our campus to explore and learn about issues such as the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights and the part we can each play in protecting human rights in our communities and around the world,” Vazquez said. “Our speakers, together, will share an important message for students and people of all ages.” John C. Raue, Kean assistant vice president of strategic initiatives, noted that the conference will also include presentations of human rights awards honoring students, educators and a school community. New this year, HRI is asking Kean faculty and staff to nominate University students for the Outstanding Student Human Rights Activist award. “The Human Rights Conference is an important event at Kean each year, and helps the University expand its reach and spread its message of freedom and unity,” Raue said. “We are excited to bring these speakers to the Kean community and to recognize human rights leadership.” The event is free and open to the public but attendees must register online. The conference coincides with the final day of the exhibition WE DECLARE at Kean’s Human Rights Gallery. For more information, visit the Human Rights Conference webpage.
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