Henry "HPatt" Patterson
Board Member & Curriculum Committee, Afghan Female Student Outreach
Henry "HPatt" Patterson is an entrepreneur, educator, mentor, and lifelong student of leadership and human development. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has built successful businesses, advised organizations ranging from start-ups to major corporations, and helped generations of entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of growth, leadership, and organizational culture.
In 1976, Henry founded Bel Canto, an award-winning restaurant group in Greater Boston. After building and selling the company, he shifted his focus from managing businesses to mentoring the people who build them. Through consulting, teaching, and hands-on advising, he has helped countless entrepreneurs develop not only successful enterprises, but also stronger teams, healthier organizations, and more sustainable approaches to leadership. His foodservice incubator in Union Square, Somerville, houses five full-service restaurants and a cocktail bar. He convenes monthly dinner salons that unite artists, scholars, journalists, entrepreneurs, activists, and community builders in a spirit of curiosity, generosity, and shared purpose, creating a rare space where meaningful relationships and new ideas flourish.
As a board member of Afghan Female Student Outreach (AFSO), Henry helps guide an organization serving approximately 1,400 Afghan women annually through university-level coursework, mentorship, and pathways to international educational opportunities. His particular interest lies in helping students develop the confidence, critical thinking skills, and leadership capacity needed to thrive in complex and rapidly changing environments.
Holding a Master's degree in Adult Development from Harvard University, Henry combines practical business experience with a deep appreciation for education and personal transformation. Friends and colleagues know him for his generosity, wisdom, and quiet ability to see potential in others before they see it themselves.
Amran Fatih
Executive Director & Co-founder , Afghan Female Student Outreach
Amran Fatih has dedicated his life to democracy, education, and public service. Raised in Afghanistan, he came of age during a period of profound national transformation and devoted his early career to strengthening public institutions, advancing democratic participation, and expanding educational opportunity. His work brought him into collaboration with government leaders, civil society organizations, educators, and international partners working to build a more open and inclusive Afghanistan.
Following the Taliban takeover in 2021, Amran was imprisoned and tortured before eventually finding refuge in the United States. Yet even after losing his country, he never abandoned his commitment to its people.
Today, Amran serves as Executive Director of Afghan Female Student Outreach (AFSO), a nonprofit providing university-level education, mentorship, English language instruction, and pathways to international scholarships for Afghan women who have been barred from formal education under Taliban rule. Under his leadership, AFSO has expanded opportunities for thousands of women while building partnerships with hundreds of volunteer professors and teaching assistants from universities around the world.
Amran's work sits at the intersection of education, democracy, and human rights. He remains driven by a simple but powerful belief: that education is one of the most effective tools for preserving human dignity, expanding opportunity, and creating lasting social change.
Lucy Ferriss
President of the Board & Co-Founder, Afghan Female Student Outreach
Lucy Ferriss is a novelist, essayist, educator, and public intellectual whose work explores questions of power, identity, justice, memory, and social change. The author of more than a dozen books of fiction and nonfiction, she has received recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Fulbright Commission, and numerous literary organizations. Her acclaimed works include The Misconceiver, A Sister to Honor, The Lost Daughter, Foreign Climes, and Meditations for a New Century.
In 2021, after the Taliban barred women and girls from secondary and higher education, Lucy co-founded Afghan Female Student Outreach (AFSO), a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring Afghan women could continue learning despite the closure of schools and universities. What began as a small volunteer effort has grown into one of the largest volunteer-led educational initiatives serving Afghan women, reaching approximately 1,400 students annually through more than 150 live courses taught by a global network of faculty and teaching assistants.
A longtime educator and Writer-in-Residence Emerita at Trinity College, Lucy has spent her career helping others find their voices and expand their horizons. Her research among Pashtun communities in Pakistan, her work with refugees, and her lifelong commitment to women's education continue to inform her leadership and vision.
Friends and colleagues know Lucy for her uncommon combination of intellectual rigor, moral courage, and deep humanity. Whether writing novels, mentoring students, or helping build educational opportunities for women denied access to learning, she approaches the world with equal measures of curiosity, grace, and conviction.
Linda Van Gelder
Linda Van Gelder is now an Emeritus former high-profile macroeconomist and long-time executive at the World Bank, where she last served as the Director of the Paris Office for the Europe and Central Asia region. Having joined the organization in 1994, her extensive career spanned nearly three decades of economic leadership. In her last role, she focused heavily on regional economic strategic coordination, global development, and green financial initiatives like the C3A Prosperity Climate Talks. Prior to this, from 2017 to 2022, she was the Regional Director for the Western Balkans based in Vienna, where she led economic policy dialogue, country strategy formulation, and poverty reduction outreach across six nations. Her previous executive leadership also includes serving as the Director of Strategy and Operations for the Equitable Growth, Finance, and Institutions Practice Group, where she oversaw macroeconomics, fiscal management, trade, and governance. Notably, she was the corporate strategy architect who led the development of the very first comprehensive World Bank Group Strategy in 2013. She holds a PhD in Economics from Cornell University.
She is currently a wonderful mentor to the inaugural student class of the Trebuchet Academy, working with a recent Columbia University graduate, Eva Panfil on World Bank development processes.
Alex Levesque
Alex Levesque is a cyber operations executive, engineer, and researcher whose work focuses on the intersection of emerging technologies, national security, and cyber capability. He currently leads technical strategy, research, and capability development in support of the national security community at Talon Defense, a company he co-founded in 2025. He holds a master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Johns Hopkins University.
Over more than eighteen years in cyber operations and engineering, Alex has served in technical, operational, and executive leadership roles across government and industry. His career began in the United States Air Force as a signals analyst supporting military operations, including a deployment to Afghanistan. Since then, his work has ranged from vulnerability research and reverse engineering to the design and leadership of large-scale technical organizations responsible for research, engineering, software development, and operational capability. He has spoken at conferences and on expert panels exploring the convergence of cyber operations, RF systems, and AI, and the implications of those technologies for national security and strategy. His current work examines how emerging computational capabilities alter the practical realities of deterrence, coercion, and competition—and what it means to employ cyber as an instrument of statecraft.
Alex is a long-course triathlete who views both research and endurance sport as long-term disciplines built on curiosity, deliberate practice, and continuous improvement.
Gigafact Expands Efforts to Strengthen Local Journalism and Combat Online Misinformation
As misinformation increasingly spreads across social media platforms and online forums, Gigafact is working with local news organizations across the United States to provide short, evidence-based fact checks designed for modern digital audiences.
The initiative focuses on helping local newsrooms respond quickly to rumors, public confusion, viral claims, and civic misinformation circulating online through a format known as “Fact Briefs.” These concise reports are designed to answer public questions clearly and directly, often with a simple “yes” or “no” response backed by verified sourcing and local reporting.
Gigafact describes its mission as rebuilding “factual foundations locally” at a time when many Americans now receive information primarily through platforms such as X, TikTok, Instagram, BlueSky, WhatsApp, and other rapidly moving digital spaces.
The organization partners with nonpartisan local media outlets to identify trending claims and public concerns within communities. According to Gigafact, more than 2,000 Fact Briefs have already been published through collaborations with regional and investigative news organizations across the country.
Participating publishers include outlets such as The Colorado Sun, Wisconsin Watch, The Nevada Independent, CT Mirror, Fort Worth Report, El Paso Matters, MinnPost, Oklahoma Watch, San Jose Spotlight, and several others focused on state and local reporting.
The Fact Brief model is intentionally designed around changing media consumption habits. Each brief remains under 150 words and presents a direct factual clarification on issues ranging from local policies and elections to healthcare, legislation, environmental concerns, and public safety.
Recent examples include fact checks on whether Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal voted to block U.S. arms sales to Israel, whether Missouri issues traffic violation warnings through text messages, and whether funeral pyres are legal in Colorado.
Gigafact argues that this format not only counters misinformation but also helps rebuild public trust in local journalism by meeting audiences where they already consume information online. The organization also provides training, editorial tools, and support to help newsrooms identify conversations and rumors that may require factual clarification.
The broader initiative reflects growing concern over the fragmentation of public information ecosystems and the decline of trust in traditional media institutions. Local journalism organizations across the United States have increasingly explored new formats and engagement models to maintain relevance and credibility amid changing digital behaviors.
Gigafact positions Fact Briefs as “informational building blocks” aimed at helping communities navigate online information environments with clearer, source-based reporting while strengthening civic engagement and accountability.
Learn more here: https://gigafact.org
Article Explores Anti-Roma Prejudice, Identity, and Integration in Europe
A recent essay published in The Phillipian examines the persistent discrimination faced by Roma communities across Europe, while also exploring deeper questions surrounding identity, integration, historical memory, and representation.
Written by Isabella Mazzi, “The Roma Problem Isn’t What You Think” reflects on the author’s experiences researching Roma communities in Serbia and engaging with activists, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, and organizers connected to Roma advocacy and social development initiatives.
The article opens by reflecting on long-standing stereotypes surrounding Roma people, including fear-based myths historically passed down through generations in parts of Europe. Mazzi uses these cultural memories to examine how anti-Roma prejudice has remained deeply embedded in everyday social attitudes despite broader narratives of European liberalism and multiculturalism.
The Roma, often historically referred to by the contested term “Gypsies,” are Europe’s largest ethnic minority and have faced centuries of marginalization, exclusion, forced displacement, and violence. During the Holocaust, hundreds of thousands of Roma people were persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime, though their suffering has often received less public attention than other aspects of European wartime history.
Seeking to understand contemporary attitudes toward Roma communities, Mazzi worked with the Roma Education Fund (REF) in Belgrade, a non-governmental organization focused on education and social inclusion. Initially, the author encountered what appeared to be widespread public support for Roma integration and equal treatment. Educational access, healthcare support, and institutional outreach efforts were often presented as signs of progress.
However, the article argues that beneath this outward acceptance lies a more complicated reality. According to Mazzi’s observations, many individuals who claimed to support Roma equality still maintained social distance and implicit prejudices. Examples included reluctance to engage socially with Roma families or subtle resentment toward programs aimed at improving Roma living conditions and opportunities.
The essay also explores tensions within Roma identity itself. Through interviews with successful Roma professionals, artists, and organizers, Mazzi describes differing perspectives on representation, visibility, and collective identity. Some interviewees questioned whether public recognition of their achievements came from merit or from institutional efforts to showcase diversity and inclusion success stories. Others emphasized the importance of collective advancement and public role models.
A central theme of the article is the challenge of self-definition. Mazzi argues that Roma history has often been erased, fragmented, or filtered through the narratives of dominant societies. While Roma culture, especially music and artistic traditions, has become internationally recognized, the article notes that some Roma intellectuals and activists believe these representations can also reinforce stereotypes and oversimplified cultural images.
Drawing on ideas from scholar Margareta Matache and broader discussions around anti-Roma racism, the article suggests that material progress alone may not fully address exclusion unless accompanied by stronger recognition of Roma history, identity, and self-representation.
The piece concludes by emphasizing that the Roma are not outsiders to Europe, but have been part of the continent’s social fabric for centuries. It argues that confronting anti-Roma prejudice requires not only institutional reform and improved living conditions, but also a deeper reckoning with historical narratives and cultural stereotypes that continue to shape public perceptions today.
Read the full article here: https://phillipian.net/2026/05/01/the-roma-problem-isnt-what-you-think/
Discussion Event to Examine the Future of the Iran–US Nuclear Standoff
A public discussion exploring the future of the Iran–US nuclear crisis and its global implications is set to take place as tensions surrounding diplomacy, sanctions, and regional security continue to intensify.
Titled “Iran-US Nuclear Standoff: What Could Happen Next?”, the session will feature a conversation between Professor Frank von Hippel and physicist and public intellectual Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy. The event aims to examine the technical, political, and strategic dimensions of one of the most significant geopolitical challenges currently shaping international affairs.
Event Details
Title: Iran-US Nuclear Standoff: What Could Happen Next?
Format: Public Discussion
Entry: Free and Open to All
The discussion comes at a time of renewed uncertainty surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, stalled negotiations, regional military tensions, and concerns over nuclear proliferation and global security.
Organizers describe the session as an opportunity to engage critically with questions surrounding diplomacy, deterrence, sanctions, military escalation, and the broader future of nuclear stability in the Middle East.
The featured guest speaker, Professor Frank von Hippel, is a renowned theoretical physicist and Professor Emeritus of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University. Over several decades, von Hippel has played a significant role in nuclear policy and arms control discussions internationally. During the 1980s, he advised Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on technical aspects of ending the nuclear arms race while serving as chairman of the Federation of American Scientists.
From 1993 to 1995, he served as Assistant Director for National Security in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. He is also a founding member of the International Panel on Fissile Materials at Princeton University, an organization focused on reducing global nuclear risks.
The conversation with Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy is expected to address both the historical roots and present realities of the Iran–US nuclear dispute, while also examining possible future scenarios ranging from renewed diplomacy to further escalation.
As international attention increasingly turns toward nuclear security, regional conflicts, and shifting global alliances, the event seeks to provide broader public understanding of the stakes involved in the ongoing standoff.
More information is available here:
https://theblackhole.pk/event/iran-us-nuclear-standoff-what-could-happen-next/
Raoul Wallenberg Centre Highlights Human Rights Advocacy and Global Justice Efforts in April 2026 Update
The Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR) has released its April 2026 update, outlining ongoing advocacy efforts, legal initiatives, international partnerships, and campaigns focused on political prisoners, atrocity prevention, antisemitism, and global human rights protection.
One of the major developments highlighted in the update was testimony delivered before Canada’s Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights by RWCHR Chief General Counsel Angela Marinos. During the hearing, Marinos called for reforms to Bill C-16, also known as the Protecting Victims Act, emphasizing the importance of strengthening protections and accountability mechanisms within Canada’s justice framework.
The organization also renewed focus on Sudan as the war there entered its third year. RWCHR joined leading experts in urging the Canadian government to adopt a ten-point action plan addressing atrocities and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the country. The proposed plan seeks a broader and more coordinated Canadian response to the ongoing violence and displacement.
In connection with these efforts, RWCHR hosted and recapped a Sudan roundtable discussion examining the humanitarian, political, and legal dimensions of the conflict. The event brought together experts and advocates working on international accountability and civilian protection.
The update additionally marked Earth Day by highlighting the cases of political prisoners imprisoned for environmental advocacy and activism. Among those featured were Daria Egereva, Pham Doan Trang, and Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, whose cases were presented as examples of the growing risks faced by individuals advocating for environmental justice and human rights under authoritarian systems.
RWCHR’s work also appeared prominently across international media and policy discussions throughout April. Coverage included concerns regarding the admission of former Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps officials into Canada, analyses of antisemitism trends in Western countries, commentary on hostage diplomacy involving Iran, and advocacy for political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.
The organization’s Executive Director Judith Abitan published work examining international legal frameworks and advocacy strategies for defending political prisoners globally, while RWCHR leaders and fellows contributed to discussions on diplomacy, authoritarianism, and state repression in outlets including Reuters, The Globe and Mail, The Hill Times, EU Observer, and the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
The report further announced several new institutional partnerships and appointments. Human rights advocate Irwin Cotler joined the Advisory Board of the McCain Institute’s John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative and also became part of Fortify Rights’ Leadership Council, both focused on strengthening global accountability for human rights abuses and supporting imprisoned dissidents.
Partner voices featured in the update included commentary from Senior Fellows and international advocates such as Michael Ignatieff, Vladimir Kara-Murza, and Susanne Berger, who addressed issues ranging from diplomacy and authoritarianism to the imprisonment of dual nationals in Iran and political repression globally.
The April update reflects RWCHR’s continued focus on mobilizing international legal advocacy, public awareness, and policy engagement around democracy, human rights, political imprisonment, and the protection of vulnerable communities worldwide.
Read more here: https://www.raoulwallenbergcentre.org/en/
New PHRI Report Examines Silencing of Palestinian Healthcare Workers in Israel
Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHRI) has released a new report titled “All This Coexistence”, examining the experiences of Palestinian citizens of Israel working within the country’s healthcare system and documenting what the organization describes as growing patterns of suppression, silencing, and discrimination since October 2023.
Based on nearly a year of research, interviews, and testimonies from healthcare professionals, the report challenges the widely promoted image of the Israeli healthcare system as a neutral space of coexistence and equality. Instead, it presents accounts from Palestinian healthcare workers who describe increasing pressure, fear, and restrictions surrounding speech, identity, and political expression within hospitals and clinics.
The report documents dozens of disciplinary hearings and clarification meetings conducted across at least 15 hospitals and all four Israeli health maintenance organizations. According to the findings, healthcare workers were questioned or disciplined for actions such as sharing social media posts, liking content online, changing profile pictures, or expressing opinions related to the war in Gaza.
Testimonies included in the report describe physicians, nurses, and other medical staff being pressured to explain or retract their views, with some facing formal sanctions. Others reported broader workplace environments shaped by fear and surveillance, including pressure to avoid speaking Arabic in professional settings and what the report characterizes as informal “loyalty tests.”
One physician quoted in the report described a sense of emotional detachment and exhaustion within the workplace atmosphere:
“It’s difficult for us, but we cannot speak… We have become a machine. Without emotion. We just work, tick boxes, receive a salary… I asked myself—what am I doing here? I’m not doing my job… That’s why I had to stop.”
The report argues that these experiences cannot be separated from wider political and social dynamics inside Israel, including rising nationalism, militarization, and structural inequality. According to PHRI, the healthcare system reflects many of the same societal tensions visible elsewhere in public life.
Researchers also point to a growing contradiction between the public image of healthcare institutions as spaces of partnership and coexistence, and the lived experiences described by many Palestinian staff members working within them.
Alongside documenting individual cases, the report calls for institutional and policy changes aimed at protecting freedom of expression, ensuring workplace equality, and creating safer professional environments for Palestinian healthcare workers. Its broader message emphasizes the need to acknowledge existing inequalities rather than suppress discussion around them.
The publication contributes to ongoing conversations surrounding civil liberties, labor rights, healthcare ethics, and the impact of the Gaza war on social relations within Israeli institutions.
Read the full report here:
https://www.phr.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/6579_PalestinianHelathcareWorkers_Paper_Eng.pdf
Attack at White House Correspondents’ Dinner Renews Focus on Political Violence in America
A recent security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner has reignited conversations around political violence and the long history of assassination attempts targeting American presidents and political leaders.
On April 25, 2026, Secret Service agents evacuated President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump from the annual dinner at the Washington Hilton after an armed man reportedly opened fire on security personnel at a checkpoint inside the hotel. The suspect, identified as Cole Tomas Allen of California, was arrested at the scene after being subdued by security officers. Authorities stated that he was carrying a shotgun, handgun, and knives and had apparently been staying at the hotel where senior political officials and members of the media were gathered.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about political extremism, public safety, and the broader climate of polarization in the United States. Trump later told reporters that he believed he had been the intended target of the attack.
The Washington Hilton itself carries historical significance in the context of presidential security. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded outside the same hotel during an assassination attempt carried out by John Hinckley Jr. That attack became one of the most well-known incidents of political violence in modern American history.
The latest incident also follows two assassination attempts against Trump during the 2024 presidential campaign season. In July 2024, Trump was injured during a shooting at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania that left one attendee dead and several others wounded. Later that year, another armed suspect was arrested near Trump International Golf Club in Florida after being discovered hiding near the property while Trump was present.
Historians and political analysts note that political violence has long been woven into American history. According to the Congressional Research Service, at least 15 direct assaults against presidents, presidents-elect, and presidential candidates have occurred over the course of U.S. history, resulting in multiple deaths.
The first U.S. president to be assassinated was Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Presidents James Garfield and William McKinley were also assassinated while in office, and President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963 remains one of the most defining moments in modern American political history.
Other presidents and political figures survived assassination attempts, including Theodore Roosevelt, who famously continued delivering a speech in 1912 after being shot in the chest during a campaign event in Milwaukee. Roosevelt’s eyeglass case and folded speech manuscript reportedly slowed the bullet enough to save his life. His response became one of the most dramatic moments in presidential campaign history.
The article also highlights how shifting political tensions and deepening divisions have intensified concerns in recent years. The January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, escalating threats against elected officials, and repeated incidents involving political figures have contributed to growing fears about democratic stability and civic discourse in the country.
Observers point to increasing polarization, online radicalization, and widespread distrust in institutions as factors contributing to the current environment. The combination of political rhetoric, media fragmentation, and ideological extremism has created conditions where threats and violence are becoming more visible in public life.
The recent attack has once again drawn attention to the challenges facing security agencies tasked with protecting public officials while preserving democratic openness and civic engagement. At the same time, it has renewed broader conversations about how political tensions are reshaping American society and public discourse.
Read more here: https://mypluralist.com/2026/04/26/trump-attack-2026-history-of-us-presidential-assassinations/#google_vignette
PHRI Webinar to Address Medical Evacuations and Healthcare Access in Gaza
Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) will host an upcoming webinar titled “Lifeline Denied”, focusing on the urgent need to restore a medical evacuation corridor between Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The event will examine the impact of ongoing restrictions on medical evacuations and humanitarian access, alongside the broader destruction of Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure. According to PHRI, more than 18,000 patients in Gaza are currently unable to access essential or lifesaving medical treatment due to the collapse of healthcare services and limitations on movement and aid entry.
Event Details
Title: Lifeline Denied
Date: May 3, 2026
Time: 8:00 PM Jerusalem | 7:00 PM CET | 1:00 PM EDT
Format: Online Webinar
The webinar will bring together medical professionals, legal advocates, and humanitarian experts to discuss the humanitarian and legal dimensions of healthcare access during the ongoing conflict.
Featured speakers include Dr. Ambereen Sleemi, a urogynecologist who worked in Gaza during 2025, and Dr. Fadi Mizyed, Chief Executive Officer of Augusta Victoria Hospital. The discussion will also include insights from Keren Shavit, Project Coordinator at PHRI, as well as a recorded testimony from Hussain Matar, a cancer patient from Gaza City.
The session will be moderated by Mays Medleg, Head of International Advocacy at PHRI.
Organizers state that the webinar will also address PHRI’s legal petition to the Israeli High Court challenging policies that have blocked medical evacuation routes for patients seeking treatment outside Gaza. The discussion aims to highlight the humanitarian consequences of restricted medical access and the need for a sustainable and functioning medical corridor within the occupied Palestinian territories.
Registration for the webinar is available here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3017769409190/WN_reFp5Ly2Rs6CAoOr09jK4Q#/registration
Global Maritime Accord Academy to Host Webinar on Ocean Health and Climate Challenges
The Global Maritime Accord Academy (GMA.A) is set to host its seventh international webinar on April 28, 2026, bringing together experts, academics, environmental advocates, and maritime leaders to discuss some of the most pressing threats facing the world’s oceans.
The event will focus on the growing environmental and climate-related pressures affecting marine ecosystems, with discussions ranging from deep ocean sustainability and plastic pollution to overfishing and global security implications tied to ocean health.
Event Details
Date: April 28, 2026
Time: 1500 UTC | 1700 Central European Time | 2030 India Time
Format: Online Webinar with Discussion Session
Duration: Up to 75 minutes
The webinar is part of preparations for the Academy’s upcoming Ocean Action Year launch, scheduled for World Ocean Day on June 8, 2026, in New Delhi. Organizers describe the event as an opportunity to examine how human activity, particularly land-based behavior and policy decisions, continues to shape the future of the oceans and global climate systems.
The session will feature a keynote presentation by Professor Lisa Levin from the United States on “Deep Ocean Discovery, Dangers and Decisions,” focusing on the ecological importance and growing vulnerabilities of deep ocean environments.
Additional perspectives will include a presentation by Aamber Fatima from India on civil society activism and plastic waste recovery efforts, highlighting the connection between land-based environmental action and ocean sustainability.
Senior expert contributions will also address wider structural and policy challenges. Professor Micheni Ntiba will discuss overfishing and the need for greater societal awareness and action, while Vice Admiral Ben Bekkering of the Netherlands will explore institutional responses related to ecological, economic, and maritime security concerns.
The webinar will conclude with an open discussion moderated by Admiral Robin Dhowan, Professor Peter Droege, and Commander Sujeet Samaddar.
According to the organizers, the event is grounded in the recognition that the oceans are increasingly acting as major amplifiers of climate disruption. Rising pollution, ecological degradation, overexploitation of marine resources, and geopolitical instability are all contributing to growing risks for ocean ecosystems and global climate stability.
The webinar aims to encourage dialogue around practical action items that governments, institutions, and communities can adopt to address these interconnected challenges. Discussions will focus not only on direct marine policies but also on broader societal and environmental decisions that indirectly shape ocean health.
Participants interested in attending can register online using the links below:
Flyer and Registration Information:
https://www.eurisd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/GMA.Academy-7-CET-1700-28-April-2026-v.17042026.pdf
LinkedIn Invitation:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/oceans-2026-what-actions-global-maritime-accord-academy-droege-hfddf/
Registration Form:
https://www.jotform.com/form/261032060046340
Omer Bartov’s New Book Sparks Debate on Zionism, Israel, and the Future of the Region
A new book by Israeli-American historian and genocide scholar Omer Bartov is generating significant international discussion around Zionism, Israeli identity, and the ongoing war in Gaza. Published this week, Israel: What Went Wrong? examines the historical and political evolution of Israel through the perspective of one of the world’s leading scholars of genocide and mass violence.
Bartov, a professor at Brown University and a widely respected Holocaust historian, argues in the book that Zionism transformed over time from a movement centered on liberation and protection into what he describes as an ethno-nationalist and settler-colonial project. The publication comes amid heightened global scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza and increasing debate around the language of genocide, occupation, and international law.
In interviews surrounding the release, Bartov reflected on his own personal and intellectual journey. Born in Israel to parents who were committed Zionists and veterans of the 1948 war, he himself served in the Israeli military before later pursuing a career focused on the Holocaust, antisemitism, nationalism, and genocide studies. Over decades, he became one of the foremost scholars examining how states and societies justify mass violence and historical erasure.
In May 2024, Bartov publicly concluded that Israel’s actions in Gaza met the definition of genocide under the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. He later expanded on this position in essays and interviews, including a widely discussed New York Times opinion piece titled I’m a Genocide Scholar. I Know It When I See It. His statements sparked intense reactions internationally and reportedly strained some of his longstanding personal relationships in Israel.
In Israel: What Went Wrong?, Bartov traces what he views as a turning point in Israeli statehood following 1948. According to his analysis, the failure to adopt a constitution, define permanent borders, or establish equal relations with Palestinian citizens fundamentally shaped the trajectory of the state. He argues that these unresolved issues contributed to a political culture increasingly rooted in militarization, exclusion, and permanent conflict.
The book also examines the role of Holocaust memory within Israeli politics and public life. Bartov criticizes what he describes as the political instrumentalization of the Shoah, arguing that it has often been used to justify state violence while simultaneously reinforcing narratives of perpetual victimhood and exceptionalism.
At the same time, Bartov distinguishes between different strands of Zionism. While he rejects the current form of political Zionism practiced by the Israeli state, he maintains that earlier versions of Zionism included genuine aspirations for Jewish liberation and self-determination following centuries of persecution in Europe. His critique, therefore, focuses not simply on Zionism’s origins but on what he believes it became through state policy and occupation.
The historian also addresses possible future alternatives. One section of the book discusses the “A Land for All” confederation proposal, which envisions independent Israeli and Palestinian states existing side by side while allowing freedom of movement and residence across the territory. Bartov presents the model as one possible path toward coexistence in a region marked by decades of violence and displacement.
Beyond the book itself, Bartov’s comments reflect broader shifts taking place internationally. Public opinion in the United States, particularly among younger generations, has become increasingly critical of Israeli government policy. Simultaneously, debates around antisemitism, criticism of Israel, and the language used to describe the war in Gaza have intensified across academic, political, and media spaces.
Bartov also argues that continued unconditional military and diplomatic support from the United States has allowed Israel to avoid confronting deeper structural and political questions. In his view, any long-term resolution will require a shift away from military solutions toward diplomacy, accountability, and political transformation.
Despite the controversy surrounding his views, Bartov’s work continues to occupy an important place in contemporary discussions about nationalism, historical memory, violence, and state power. The publication of Israel: What Went Wrong? adds another significant voice to the growing international debate over the future of Israel and Palestine, and the broader implications of the ongoing conflict for global politics and human rights discourse.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/21/omer-bartov-israel-zionism-genocide
Debate Grows Over the Future of the U.S.-Israel Security Relationship
A new analysis published by Israel Policy Forum examines the evolving dynamics of the U.S.-Israel security relationship at a moment of increasing political debate and shifting public opinion in the United States.
Written by Rachel Brandenburg, the article explores how recent developments in the Middle East, combined with changing attitudes among American lawmakers and voters, are prompting renewed discussion about the future structure of U.S. security assistance to Israel.
The discussion follows two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval introduced in the U.S. Senate over arms sales to Israel. Although the resolutions were not expected to pass, they received unprecedented support among Senate Democrats. According to the analysis, 40 of 47 Democratic senators voted in favor of one resolution and 36 supported the other, reflecting growing frustration surrounding the wars in Gaza and Iran, as well as broader concerns about American military support for Israel.
The article also points to recent polling data from the Pew Research Center, which found a notable decline in favorable views of Israel among younger Americans. Among Americans under 50, 60 percent reportedly expressed unfavorable views, while that figure rose to 75 percent among those aged 18 to 29. These shifts are presented as part of a broader trend that could significantly influence future policy debates in Washington.
At the same time, Brandenburg notes the paradox shaping the current moment. Militarily, the United States and Israel have never cooperated more closely, particularly during recent operations involving Iran. Yet public support for that same partnership appears to be weakening.
Rather than viewing this moment solely as a crisis, the analysis argues that it may also present an opportunity to rethink the foundations of the bilateral relationship ahead of the expiration of the current 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2028. The agreement, signed in 2016, currently provides Israel with $3.8 billion annually in U.S. security assistance.
The article suggests that the next phase of the relationship should be framed less as a donor-recipient arrangement and more as a strategic partnership between two technologically advanced allies with shared interests. It highlights how Israel’s economy, defense sector, intelligence capabilities, and innovation ecosystem have evolved significantly over recent decades.
Brandenburg argues that future negotiations should focus on comparative advantages, mutual security interests, and evolving regional realities rather than assumptions rooted in past geopolitical conditions. Potential areas of future cooperation could include joint research and development, co-production agreements, technological innovation, artificial intelligence, and healthcare collaboration.
The piece also acknowledges that U.S. military assistance does not necessarily provide Washington with the level of political leverage many policymakers assume it does. This raises questions about how future support mechanisms should be structured and justified, both strategically and publicly.
Ultimately, the analysis frames the current period as a transition point. It suggests that while the U.S.-Israel partnership is likely to remain important, the framework governing that relationship may need to evolve in response to changing regional politics, public opinion, and security priorities.
Read the full analysis here: https://israelpolicyforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Policy-Pulse-424.pdf
Chicago Sees Historic Decline in Gun Violence as Community-Based Nonviolence Efforts Continue
Newly released figures from the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago highlight a significant milestone for the city, with 2025 recorded as Chicago’s safest year since 1965. The announcement comes alongside the release of the organization’s 2025 Impact Report, which reflects on a decade of community-led violence prevention efforts and their measurable outcomes.
According to the report, gun violence in Chicago declined for the fourth consecutive year, continuing a downward trend that community organizations and local leaders have worked toward over many years. In several of the Institute’s key service areas, including Austin, West Garfield Park, Back of the Yards, and Brighton Park, shootings have reportedly dropped by an average of 65 percent since 2016.
The progress has been attributed to long-term investments in neighborhood-based solutions, trauma recovery initiatives, outreach programs, and violence interruption strategies. These efforts focus not only on immediate intervention but also on supporting survivors, families, and communities affected by violence.
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago CEO Teny Gross reflected on the significance of these developments in a recent message accompanying the report. Referencing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s belief that “nonviolence is for courageous people,” Gross described the progress as the result of collective action and sustained community engagement.
The report frames these achievements within the broader concept of the “Beloved Community,” a vision of social justice and collective care championed by Dr. King. Rather than presenting it as an abstract ideal, the organization points to tangible outcomes such as reduced shootings, increased support systems, and stronger neighborhood networks as evidence of what community-based nonviolence can achieve.
Beyond statistics, the report emphasizes the human dimension of the work. Survivors and families affected by violence continue to receive support through counseling, outreach, and recovery services aimed at healing and long-term stability. Organizers stress that maintaining progress will require continued unity, investment, and public engagement.
As the Institute approaches its 10th year of service, the latest figures offer a moment of reflection on how sustained grassroots initiatives can contribute to measurable changes in public safety and community well-being.
Read the full 2025 Impact Report here: https://nonviolencechicago.my.canva.site/2025impact
The Lessons of Hiroshima Shared Through Peacebuilding and Leadership at the University of Michigan
The enduring message of Hiroshima took center stage last month during a two-day symposium at the University of Michigan focused on peacebuilding, leadership, and nuclear disarmament. Organized by the Barger Leadership Institute, the event brought together educators, filmmakers, and peace advocates to reflect on how the lessons of Hiroshima continue to shape conversations around global conflict and human responsibility.
Among the featured speakers was Ray Matsumiya, Director of the Oleander Initiative, an organization dedicated to empowering peacebuilders through programs, workshops, and study tours in Hiroshima, Japan. During the symposium, Matsumiya shared insights from his work in Hiroshima and the Middle East, highlighting how historical memory and dialogue can contribute to more mindful approaches to leadership and conflict resolution.
The event, titled The Lessons of Hiroshima: Cultivating Mindful Leadership, opened with a screening of The Vow From Hiroshima at the historic State Theater in Ann Arbor. The film, which explores the legacy of atomic bomb survivors and the global movement toward nuclear disarmament, drew a packed audience and sparked conversations about the continuing relevance of Hiroshima’s history in today’s world.
The following day, discussions continued at the University of Michigan Museum of Art, where a panel of speakers explored themes related to peace education, leadership development, and the human consequences of war. Alongside Matsumiya, the symposium featured Dr. Connie Tingson Gatuz, Associate Vice President for Student Life; Mitchie Takeuchi, producer of The Vow From Hiroshima; Dr. Kathleen Sullivan, Director of Hibakusha Stories; and Dr. Ram Mahalingam, Director of the Barger Leadership Institute.
Together, the speakers reflected on how educational initiatives and storytelling can foster empathy, historical awareness, and civic engagement. Discussions also emphasized the importance of intergenerational dialogue and the role universities can play in promoting peace-oriented leadership.
The Oleander Initiative’s participation highlighted its broader mission of connecting individuals from around the world through immersive peacebuilding experiences in Hiroshima. By engaging participants with the city’s history and the stories of hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivors, the initiative seeks to encourage deeper reflection on violence, reconciliation, and global responsibility.
The symposium also underscored the continued importance of cultural and educational spaces in addressing global issues. Through film, conversation, and shared learning, events like this create opportunities for communities to engage with difficult histories while considering pathways toward a more peaceful future.
The full symposium recording, including the section featuring the Oleander Initiative, has been made available online for public viewing.
Achilleas Stamatiadis
Achilleas holds a BA in Government, History, and International Affairs from Northeastern University. He is a Harvard GSAS program alumnus, having spent a research year in Cambridge, Massachusetts studying Classical Philology and Philosophy and holds an MA in Comparative Literature, Ancient Philosophy, and Leadership from the University of Chicago. Upon receiving his MA degree, he was invited to deliver a series of lectures on Humanistic Leadership at UChicago’s CHS, CCH in Paris, and The Paideia Institute in New York City. A section of his MA thesis was published by University of Pennsylvania’s Discentes journal and can also be found through the Library of Congress online catalogue. He is currently conducting research in preparation for a forthcoming PhD in Humanistic Leadership. He has served as Ministerial Special Advisor at the Foreign Affairs Office of the Hellenic Republic and is a full-time mentor at the Trebuchet Convisero Consortium of Tufts University’s Institute for Global Leadership. In addition, he serves as Research Analyst and Educational Advisor to the President of World Human Forum. In 2023, supported by a team of academics and executives, he established the Faros Leadership Initiative to advance research on models of Humanistic Leadership, Renaissance Studies, and the revival of civic consciousness inspired by virtue ethics. As both a practitioner and a researcher, he is convinced that the humanities have much to teach us about world human values, and he aspires to call himself a Humanist through the daily application of these values in both words and deeds.
Beyond the Binary: A Ground-Level View of Life in Iran
A recently shared and translated text by Iranian anthropologist and activist Ali Abdi offers a striking and deeply human account of life in Iran, challenging dominant narratives that often frame the country’s realities in simplistic terms.
Introduced by scholar Naghmeh Sohrabi, the piece presents a perspective that moves beyond the familiar binary of repression versus war. Instead, it centres on lived experiences, drawing together personal observations, memories, and stories that reflect the complexity of everyday life.
The narrative opens in Tehran during the early days of Farvardin, the beginning of the Iranian New Year. Rather than celebration, the city is described as subdued and tense. Streets appear quiet, the air is heavy, and the presence of armed forces and detentions creates an atmosphere of unease. These observations offer a glimpse into how broader political and military developments are felt at the level of daily life.
From Tehran, the account shifts to Isfahan, where conversations reveal personal stories of loss and hardship. Accounts of detention, restricted medical access, and the emotional impact on families highlight the human cost of ongoing tensions. These experiences are not presented in isolation but are connected to wider social and political conditions, illustrating how individuals navigate uncertainty and pressure.
A key theme throughout the text is the rejection of rigid binaries. Abdi critiques the tendency to divide society into opposing categories such as pro- or anti-government, or pro- or anti-war. He suggests that such frameworks fail to capture the realities of most people, whose lives and perspectives are shaped by overlapping and often conflicting experiences.
The piece also draws parallels between different moments of loss, placing side by side events such as the killing of a child during the Women, Life, Freedom movement and the experiences of schoolchildren in more recent incidents. These comparisons emphasise shared grief and highlight the need to recognise common humanity across divisions.
At its core, the text calls for a shift toward listening and understanding. It argues that meaningful connection requires engaging with the lived experiences of others, even when those experiences challenge existing beliefs or assumptions. This approach is presented as essential for moving beyond fragmentation and fostering a more cohesive society.
The translation, produced by Alireza Doostdar, forms part of a broader effort to bring perspectives from within Iran to a wider audience. By amplifying these voices, the initiative contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the country’s social and political landscape.
Read the full text here: https://truethings.naghmehs.com/p/beyond-the-binary