AI Resistance Art & Symbols of Resistance: A Visual Archive
Boston Plaza Demonstration
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A Graphic composed by Mentor Ehren Brav
Leveraging the power of AI image generation... Feel free to distribute - I certainly will be.
Isabella Mazzi
I grew up in London and moved to the U.S. in 2023 to join Phillips Academy Andover, where I’m now completing my junior year. I bring an international background - British, Italian, American, Serbian, and technically Canadian - which has shaped my deep curiosity about the world and my drive to make a difference across borders.
My passion for global affairs, community engagement, and making things happen is central to who I am.
My interest in the Roma community began after watching Emir Kusturica’s Hanging House, a film that opened my eyes to the complex realities of this marginalized society in Europe. Captivated by the raw energy and layered storytelling, I became curious about the Roma's place in European society and their ongoing struggles as cultural outsiders. This curiosity evolved into action: I spent last summer interning with the Roma Education Fund in Serbia, analyzing NGO strategies and developing policy recommendations. During my time in Belgrade, I also gained a deeper understanding, or more precisely, asked myself deeper questions on prejudice, systemic bias, benevolence, and the nuances of meaningful advocacy.
Back in Boston, I’ve continued this work—organizing awareness workshops at Andover and collaborating with Harvard’s Roma program at the FXB Center. I’m now focusing on Female Roma Entrepreneurs and preparing for another research trip to Belgrade in the summer of 2025, with the goal of building a digital archive to preserve their stories, and develop deeper insights on success factors for entrepreneurs in marginalized societies.
Technology and its social impact are also areas of deep interest for me. Last summer, at a medical device company, I helped with a project involving AI use cases for competitive strategy. I took a particular intrest in the rise of DeepSeek, writing articles for an Andover publication and presenting to the Andover Business Club about the risks and rewards of AI innovation.
My interest in international development led me to explore opportunities with both my school community and other organizations. At Andover, I am developing a speaker series on Global Challenges. Along these lines, this summer I will be assisting with the planning of The Annual Economist Government Roundtable in Greece, a global conference where policymakers, business leaders, and thinkers will discuss Europe’s future amid geopolitical, technological, and economic uncertainty. The theme—“Walking Steadily Across a Tightrope of Uncertainty”—frames conversations on foreign policy, energy, AI, sustainability, and more. I am looking forward to attending the conference.
At Philips Andover, I hold leadership positions such as a dorm prefect, an EBI Teaching Assistant and a World Partner. I sit on the Senior boards of student organizations, such as Andover’s Entrepreneurship Club, Public Forum Debate club and Andover Business Club - roles that allow me to build community, support peers, and grow as a leader.
These experiences have taught me that leadership, advocacy, and innovation are rarely easy—but always worth it.
I was introduced to Sherman through a family friend and was immediately captivated by his spirit, the impact of his work across the globe, and his deep commitment to The Trebuchet team. His energy, and the “imagine and make it happen” approach are immensely inspiring. I’m thrilled to be joining The Trebuchet and collaborating with such a thoughtful, creative, and driven group of individuals. I can’t wait to contribute and grow alongside the team.
Christina Goldbaum's latest: Syria, Lebanon, and more
Recent articles, videos and podcasts from on the ground in some of the most fragile places in the world by wonderful alum and Convisero mentor Christina Goldbaum.
Frances Dixon Promoted to Colonel in the U.S. Air Force (Res.)
From left to right – Col. Abby Kent, Sherman Teichman, Frances Dixon
With Col. Abby Kent her inductor
Building Bridges Across the Mediterranean: A New Era of Regional Collaboration
The Action Committee for the Mediterranean (ACM) is preparing for its official launch in Spring 2025 in Malaga, Spain, and with it, a call to reimagine the region’s future—not through the lens of political polarization, but through the undeniable ties of demographics, interdependence, and shared interest.
Moving Beyond Politics
As anti-immigration rhetoric intensifies in the North and anti-Western sentiments rise in the South, ACM emphasizes a different story—one that unfolds beneath the political surface. Demographic shifts are fundamentally reshaping the region. Aging populations in Europe increasingly depend on the vitality and talent of the younger generation in the South, while countries in the South benefit from northern investment, knowledge exchange, and industrial cooperation.
This evolving interdependence is not a challenge to manage, but a foundation to build on. ACM believes that where politics divides, reality unites.
Turning Challenges into Shared Opportunities
The committee identifies key issues that require a coordinated, regional response:
Stabilizing the region
Adapting to demographic change
Aligning labor markets
Creating cross-border value chains in industry and services
Addressing climate change and food security
Improving cultural integration
Crafting a common narrative for the region
These aren’t just problems to be solved—they’re opportunities to shape a common Mediterranean destiny.
A New Model for Regional Collaboration
ACM’s method is based on inclusivity, collaboration, and continuity:
Inclusivity: Engaging economists, academics, civil society, and institutional partners from across the Mediterranean.
Collaboration: Hosting informal, discreet annual forums to encourage real conversation and solution-focused action.
Continuity: Producing actionable reports and white papers through a permanent secretariat and ensuring sustained follow-up.
Founders Hakim El Karoui and Marc Reverdin, along with a diverse executive board, are already driving this vision forward. The committee’s inaugural Mediterranean Demographics Report will set the tone for future work, offering data-driven insight into the forces shaping the region.
Join the Effort
ACM is now building a network of experts and Mediterranean organizations—from think tanks and academic institutions to private sector leaders. Their goal is clear: turn shared challenges into shared solutions through action, not rhetoric.
More information and opportunities to collaborate are available at: action-med.org
CEMEFI Encuentro Highlights Collaboration Across Latin America
The Encuentro de Colaboración Ciudadana, organized by Centro Mexicano para la Filantropía (CEMEFI), brings together leading voices in Latin American philanthropy, responsible business, and civil society. Taking place in Mexico City, this annual convening serves as a critical hub for mapping new actors in the ecosystem, monitoring donor and impact trends, and strengthening collaboration across sectors.
CEMEFI promotes philanthropy, sustainability, and social responsibility throughout the region. The organization also facilitates discounted technology access and supports 501(c)(3) equivalency determinations for NGOs operating in Latin America.
Shoshana Grossman, a member of Convisero, actively collaborates with CEMEFI and its partners in efforts to strengthen cross-border infrastructure for social good. Events such as this Encuentro offer vital opportunities for aligning local efforts with regional and global social impact strategies.
More information about CEMEFI’s programs can be found at cemefi.org.
Inside Chicago’s Street Outreach Response: How Community-Led Intervention Is Saving Lives
Frederick Seaton works with the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, supervising nine street-outreach workers in West Garfield Park, the neighborhood where they all grew up.
Image Courtesy - WBEZChicago
As Chicago experiences a significant drop in homicides and nonfatal shootings, attention is turning to the power of community violence intervention (CVI) — and in particular, the life-saving work of street outreach workers like Frederick Seaton of the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago.
Operating on the West Side, particularly in West Garfield Park, Seaton and his team are often the first on the scene — not to make arrests, but to defuse retaliation, offer support to grieving families, and prevent the next shooting before it happens.
Violence Is Falling — And Outreach Is Working
Chicago’s murder rate is the lowest it’s been in over a decade. In West Garfield Park, homicides have dropped from 15 (in the same time frame in 2021) to just 3 in 2025. Nonfatal shootings have fallen by more than half. Experts credit a range of factors, but CVI efforts are increasingly seen as a critical piece of the city’s public safety gains.
Seaton, now 66, has spent nearly two decades in this work — beginning with Ceasefire (now Cure Violence) in 2005 and now leading outreach teams at the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago. Many of his colleagues are system-impacted individuals who have gained trust in their neighborhoods as “credible messengers.”
Responding in Real Time
During a recent shooting in West Garfield Park, Seaton coordinated teams on the ground and at the hospital. While police alerts were still coming in, his team was already talking to families, identifying relatives likely to retaliate, and building a strategy to prevent escalation.
“Everybody has got a crazy cousin,” Seaton said. “Our job is to get love in there before someone reacts.”
That real-time response is crucial. At the hospital where one shooting victim had just died, Seaton witnessed family members in visible distress. One man tried to get in a car to retaliate. Outreach workers and loved ones stopped him. These moments — intense, emotional, and often invisible to the public — are where intervention efforts make their deepest impact.
Building Trust, Not Sharing Intel
Outreach teams like Seaton’s maintain communication with local police — but they do not act as informants. That firewall is essential for community trust.
“Our job is to do what we do because we can get into some crannies and some holes that [the police] can’t,” Seaton said.
Still, the relationship has evolved. District commanders now respect outreach teams and even reach out to offer assistance, a dramatic shift from decades of tension.
Not Just About Gangs
The shooting that Seaton responded to was later determined to be interpersonal — not gang-related. That mattered. Interpersonal shootings, while devastating, are less likely to provoke chain reactions than clique-based violence. Outreach efforts can focus on stabilizing immediate emotional fallout, rather than navigating long cycles of retaliation.
The Bigger Picture
Chicago’s “safety gap” — the racial disparity in homicide victims — remains staggering, but progress is clear. Black homicide victims have dropped by 50% since 2021, and outreach in neighborhoods like West Garfield Park is a major reason why.
Seaton puts it plainly:
“With relationship gathering and being credible messengers, we’re going to be able to work with the community to stop the next shooting.”
For more on this story, visit WBEZ's full report.
To learn more about the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago, visit: nonviolencechicago.org
Social Impact Compass: How Smart Partnerships Accelerate Change
Social Impact Compass is highlighting how strategic partnerships—across both nonprofit and corporate sectors—are becoming essential for scalable, sustainable social impact.
Collaboration in Action: NGO Workshop in Panama
At a pitch workshop in Panama led by Social Impact Compass, NGO leaders gathered to refine their funding and partnership strategies. One participant pitched her organization’s readiness to expand across borders, seeking operational partners. Another rewrote a proposal immediately after the session, integrating new insights.
The workshop emphasized more than just improved messaging. It reflected a deeper momentum toward collaboration, peer learning, and practical partnership-building.
Rethinking Fundraising: Why Consortia Matter
Donors today seek broad-scale results while still valuing local impact. Traditional grant models often fall short. In response, many funders are turning to consortia—networks of regional organizations that pool funding and share goals.
In Guatemala, examples like Recarga and She’s the First channel significant funding through streamlined structures, often distributing resources equally across member organizations. This approach offers both administrative simplicity and community-level reach.
Key point: When presenting a partnership model, clearly articulate what it enables—expanded access, increased efficiency, or impact that would not be achievable independently.
Corporate Strategy: Shared Infrastructure, Shared Results
The corporate sector faces similar challenges. Companies often aim to contribute to social impact without overwhelming internal teams. The solution lies in partnering strategically with NGOs, governments, or peer companies.
Example: Danone Mexico
To strengthen its milk supply chain, Danone works not only with large farms, but also with small family farmers. The initiative’s success depends on a partnership model that includes:
TechnoServe for training and technical assistance
Government agencies for rural extension support
A credit union for farmer financing
Participating farmers have, on average, tripled their income.
Implementation Guidance
Start small and be strategic. Select one aligned partner. Define shared goals. Build capacity together. Effective partnerships take time, but they offer multiplier effects in reach and impact.
For upcoming workshops and tools for both NGOs and corporate teams, visit the Social Impact Compass platform.
Social Impact Compass: www.socialimpactcompass.org
From Numbers to Narratives: Measuring Social Impact with Transparency
ImpactCounter is reshaping how organizations communicate their value to the world. In a landscape where funders and stakeholders demand real-time, transparent data, this platform offers an innovative solution to a common challenge: how to transform complex impact metrics into meaningful, human-centered stories.
The Challenge
Traditional annual reports and headline statistics like “millions served” often fail to capture the human impact behind programs. With funding becoming increasingly uncertain and expectations shifting, organizations must demonstrate their effectiveness continuously—not just once a year.
The ImpactCounter Approach
Rapid Delivery: Quick setup enables organizations to begin reporting meaningful results without delay.
Iterative Development: Metrics can evolve as an organization grows or pivots its focus.
Reliable Data: ImpactCounter uses current and credible sources for accuracy.
Transparency: All methods and calculations are clearly documented, supporting full accountability.
Global Reach
A striking example of the platform’s potential is the PEPFAR Impact Counter, which visualized real-time policy impact and reached over 15,000 people in 135 countries within days of its launch. It was independently built and peer-reviewed by experts from multiple disciplines—demonstrating not just speed, but scholarly rigor.
Real-Time Impact, Real-World Results
ImpactCounter’s model highlights the power of data when paired with accessibility and clarity. Its visual dashboards offer a compelling way for nonprofits, public agencies, and global initiatives to connect with funders and the communities they serve.
Explore more or start measuring your own impact in real time: www.impactcounter.com
Book Talk on Arts in Global Development
An event will be held on The Routledge Handbook of Arts and Global Development (2024), a new volume that examines how the arts are influencing public awareness, shaping policy, and contributing to meaningful global change.
Event Details:
Presenter: Patrick Kabanda, Co-Editor
Moderator: Marina Galvani, Art Curator, World Bank Group
Date: Wednesday, May 29
Time: 11:00 AM ET
Location: The World Bank Library, MC C3-214
Virtual Option: Available via Webex
Register: Click here to register
The session will explore the intersection of artistic practice and global development. Discussions will focus on how creative work can serve as a tool for engagement, transformation, and impact across sectors.
This event is open to both in-person and virtual attendees.
The Lemkin Institute Issues Urgent Appeals on Genocide in Gaza
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security has released three critical statements this week condemning the ongoing genocide in Gaza and calling for immediate international action.
1. “Four Facts About Israel’s Genocide”
This statement challenges the delayed acknowledgment of genocide by major NGOs, media outlets, and governments. It underscores that genocide is not limited to mass killings but includes systemic acts of destruction, displacement, and dehumanization over time. The Lemkin Institute argues that Western gatekeeping of the term “genocide” has directly contributed to the unchecked escalation of violence against Palestinians.
2. “We’re Glad to See You Use the G-Word, But Now You Must Act”
Responding to a shift in political and institutional rhetoric, this piece calls for action, not just language. The Lemkin Institute urges a global coalition of states to:
End arms shipments to Israel,
Suspend diplomatic ties,
Establish a multilateral peacekeeping force (with Palestinian consent),
And create an international tribunal for war crimes.
The Institute likens the necessary transformation to post-WWII denazification, stating that without systemic accountability, both Palestinians and Israelis remain in danger.
3. “We Sacrifice Law and Morality When We Allow Israel to Commit Genocide Without Repercussions”
This powerful message mourns the tragic killing of Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two young Israeli embassy employees murdered in Washington, D.C., allegedly in retributive protest for Gaza. The Institute condemns the violence, while also warning that such tragedies are being exploited to justify further repression of anti-genocide activists and broader escalation, including potential military actions against Iran.
“Genocide has no self-limiting mechanisms... Everywhere genocidal thinking spreads, it destroys the prospect of peace and coexistence.”
— Dr. Elisa von Joeden-Forgey, Co-Executive Director, Lemkin Institute
A Warning and a Plea
Throughout these statements, the Lemkin Institute maintains that the genocide against Palestinians—driven by Israeli state policy, political ideology, and systemic impunity—will continue to radicalize if unopposed. The failure of institutions to act earlier has led to what they describe as one of the most devastating man-made tragedies of our time.
They caution that without accountability, human rights, international law, and moral standards worldwide will collapse under the weight of their own hypocrisy.
Read the full statements here:
🔗 Lemkin Institute Newsletter – May 2025
For further discussion, support resources, or links to advocacy and education efforts, contact the Lemkin Institute or visit their platform to engage with anti-genocide activism and policy development.
Frances Dixon
As an undergraduate attending Tufts, Frances Dixon was deeply impressed by the idea of service to others. While searching out how to accomplish this life goal, she was inspired by the military officers she met. “They were clearly leaders,” she says. “They walked into a room and commanded it; they were instantly accessible and able to build trust with everyone. How do you do that? How does someone in charge of a large group make each person better? I saw that as part of the incredible leadership training the military provides.”
By entering the military, Frances could “serve my country and learn leadership.” She chose the Air Force because it had the highest percentage of career fields open to women.
After two years stationed in Florida, Frances then spent six years in Nevada working with remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs or “drones”). In addition to maintenance, she worked with acquisitions and contracting functions and was exposed to industry partners and, “became interested in the business side of how these programs are run.” Following that, Frances assumed responsibility for sixteen C-5 cargo aircrafts as a Maintenance Manager leading 330 people. After three years, Frances knew it was time to pursue her dream of getting an MBA.
“I realized I didn’t know much about business,” says Frances. “In order to truly leverage my leadership skillset and make the transition easier, an MBA was the best option.” HBS became her top choice “because of its learning environment. As a non-traditional student with more professional experience, I was concerned that a straight lecture environment wouldn’t be a good fit. As soon as I sat in on a case, I knew this was the perfect academic environment for me.”
“I’m interested in what the professors have to say. But I'm fascinated by what my peers say and the experiences they bring to class. They’re brilliant. The level of discourse here forces you to be on your toes. You’re engaged—you have to be. You can’t sit back and just listen.”
For her upcoming EC year, Frances intends to explore an old interest: access to water. As an undergraduate, she studied abroad in El Salvador and Bolivia, which awakened her awareness of the struggle for potable water. “Part of the impetus for HBS was to find ways I could do work with water,” she says.
While pursuing her course work, Frances will also fulfill an independent research project on water technologies. “I’m interested in private sector solutions. There are a couple of Boston startups that are investigating new technologies for filtering water or desalinating water with less energy. I want to find ways technology can be applied to get clean water to populations without adequate access to it.”
Frances will officially pin on as Colonel in the U.S. Air Force on June 14, 2025.
From Exposure to the Pulitzer: A Legacy of Photojournalism at Tufts
In 2010, Sherman Teichman published an article in Nieman Reports titled Preparing the Next Generation of Photojournalists. Reflecting on the founding of Exposure, a photojournalism and human rights initiative at the Institute for Global Leadership (IGL) at Tufts University, Teichman described a vision for ethical, immersive storytelling in an increasingly complex world.
“I wrote this article for Nieman Reports in 2010, Preparing the Next Generation of Photojournalists. Fifteen years later Chrissy won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for her reporting from Afghanistan as part of a New York Times team.”
— Sherman Teichman
The program, sparked by the involvement of acclaimed war photographer James Nachtwey, offered students a rigorous training ground to explore the ethical and visual demands of documenting conflict, injustice, and resilience. Exposure alumni went on to cover humanitarian emergencies, environmental collapse, and post-conflict societies from Bosnia to Colombia, Iraq to Pakistan.
Now, that vision has come full circle. Christina Goldbaum, one of the many students shaped by Teichman’s work at the IGL, was awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting, recognizing her contributions to The New York Times' in-depth reporting on the collapse of Afghanistan.
The Nieman Reports piece chronicles the ethos of the Exposure program—its emphasis on nonpolemical pedagogy, public accountability through visual storytelling, and the belief that journalism can catalyze change. The 2010 article included testimonies from students whose work spanned topics such as:
Islamic cultural destruction in Bosnia (evidence used at The Hague)
Environmental collapse in Kiribati
Oil politics in Azerbaijan
The first democratic election in Kyrgyzstan
The legacy of Colombian death squads
With the support of mentors, benefactors, and photojournalists like Nachtwey, Exposure helped position Tufts students as credible observers on the frontlines of global conflict and change.
Nachtwey himself wrote, “Most importantly, [Exposure] can help to create a public awareness integral to the process of change.”
Fifteen years later, that aspiration has been realized.
📖 Read the original article: Preparing the Next Generation of Photojournalists – Nieman Reports
📰 See the Pulitzer-winning series: How the U.S. Lost Afghanistan – The New York Times
A Memorable Evening with Brookline Storytellers
Date: Wednesday, May 21
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA
Join Brookline.News for an inspiring evening of live storytelling at the historic Coolidge Corner Theatre, where seven local residents will take the stage to share personal stories of transformation, resilience, and community.
Hosted by Meghna Chakrabarti, award-winning host and editor of WBUR’s On Point, this special event brings together a diverse group of voices for a night that promises humor, reflection, and connection.
Featured Speakers
Lori Ehrlich – Former Massachusetts State Representative and FEMA Regional Administrator
Anthony Flint – Journalist and urban policy expert
Shan W. Liu – Harvard professor, physician, and children’s book author
Mark Ludwig – Founder, Terezín Music Foundation and BSO member emeritus
LeRoy J. Watkins III – CEO of Viking Sports and President of the Brookline Chamber of Commerce
Maria Udalova – Brookline High School senior and member of Team Trebuchet
Presented by Brookline.News
This event is organized by Iris Adler, co-founder of Brookline.News and 2024 Brookline Woman of the Year.
Sponsors
Headline Sponsors
Eastern Bank
Commonwealth Sports Club
Martha Huntley, Real Estate Agent
Concierge Home Sales by the Kerzner Group
Hammond Residential Real Estate
Stories Supporters
Brookline Booksmith
Kaplan Construction
2Life Communities
Brookline Bank
A Memorable Evening with Brookline Storytellers is an opportunity to celebrate the voices of our community and the power of local journalism to connect us. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
For more information, visit: brookline.news/stories-live-at-the-coolidge
Stories Live at the Coolidge: A Night of Resilience, Hosted by Brookline.News
On a special evening at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline.News will host “Stories Live”—a live storytelling event celebrating personal narratives of transformation, resilience, and community.
The event will be hosted by Meghna Chakrabarti, award-winning host and editor of WBUR’s On Point, and will feature seven local speakers sharing meaningful, real-life stories.
This gathering is organized by Iris Adler, one of the originators and founding leaders of Brookline.News. A longtime journalist and civic voice, Adler was honored as a Brookline Woman of the Year in 2024 for her exceptional contributions to local media and public engagement.
Featured Speakers
Lori Ehrlich – CPA, public servant, and FEMA Regional Administrator for New England
Anthony Flint – Author, journalist, and senior fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Shan W. Liu – Harvard Medical School professor, MGH physician, and children’s book author
Mark Ludwig – Founder of the Terezín Music Foundation and Boston Symphony Orchestra member emeritus
LeRoy J. Watkins III – CEO of Viking Sports and President of the Brookline Chamber of Commerce
Maria Udalova – Senior at Brookline High School, environmental advocate, and member of Team Trebuchet
Sponsors
This community celebration is made possible thanks to generous support from:
Headline Sponsors
Eastern Bank
Commonwealth Sports Club
Martha Huntley, Real Estate Agent
Concierge Home Sales by the Kerzner Group
Hammond Residential Real Estate
Stories Supporters
Brookline Booksmith
Kaplan Construction
2Life Communities
Brookline Bank
Stories Live at the Coolidge is more than an evening of storytelling—it’s a testament to the voices that shape Brookline and the civic media that amplifies them. The event reflects the mission of Brookline.News to connect neighbors, highlight shared experiences, and deepen community understanding through local journalism.
For event details and speaker bios, visit: brookline.news/stories-live-at-the-coolidge
Edgar James
I grew up in Portand, Oregon, attended Catholic schools (a monastery for high school), and attended Portland State University (“PSU”) where I was student body vice president in my second year and head of Oregon Students for Kennedy in 1968. Thanks to the PSU faculty, I went to Columbia University in September 1969 on a 4 year fellowship for a Ph.D. in recent French history and International Affairs, principally French speaking Africa. The Kent State and Jackson State killings ended my studies in May 1970 as Columbia and many other universities shut down in the face of massive student protests. After some work recruiting and managing student involvement in anti-war Congressional and Senate campaigns in the mid-Atlantic and north east, I was recruited to work in Appalachia all of 1971-72 building opposition to the head of United Mine Workers, Tony Boyle, who had arranged the murder of his election opponent, Joseph (“Jock”) Yablonski and his family. A judge ordered a new election two years later, which I and another activist ran, and we won. 1 But the lawyers were fundamental to the effort.
My father never finished 4 th grade but my mother graduated high school. They died when I was younger (1964; 1971). I worked in the miners union from 1973-75, organized the 1973 convention and coordinated support for the Harlan County strike for union recognition and a contract. Thanks to a brilliant lawyer and close friend who was part of our reform effort who suggested that I apply to law school, I attended Harvard Law School (JD) and School of Public Health (MPH) and graduated in 1979.
My law firm mainly represents workers, unions and non-profits. I am active in human rights work and immigration, principally involving Latin American, with the National Security Archive and the Washington Office on Latin America (“WOLA”). But thanks to a very old (1880’s) and very inclusive Jewish refugee organization, HIAS, my wife, Kathy Kinsella, and I support three young women refugees from Afghanistan. She and I have been trying to get their parents and younger brother out, but, despite the fact that their father worked for the American military at Bagram, this administration has made clear that this will not happen. And the administration has since announced that it is removing refugee protection for the Afghans who currently reside in the US.
Sherman Teichman and his EPIC classes were a very important inspiration to our daughter, Mara, at Tufts.
William H. Luers Remembered: Diplomat Who Defended Vaclav Havel Dies at 95
William H. Luers, a longtime American diplomat and cultural advocate whose behind-the-scenes influence helped protect Czech dissident Vaclav Havel during the final years of Communist rule, died on May 11, 2025, at the age of 95. His passing marks the end of a singular career that blended diplomacy, art, and moral courage.
As U.S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia in the early 1980s, Luers understood that diplomacy extended beyond formal policy—it could also serve as a form of human rights protection. In 1983, he began quietly rallying support for Havel, then an often-imprisoned poet-playwright and a symbol of nonviolent resistance.
Recognizing the growing danger to Havel’s life, Luers devised a subtle but powerful form of protection: international visibility. He invited prominent American cultural figures to Prague, where they met with Havel and publicly endorsed him as a towering literary and civic voice. This strategy, which Luers described as “shining light on Havel,” made any potential harm to the dissident politically risky for the Czech Communist regime.
Among those Luers enlisted were E.L. Doctorow, Kurt Vonnegut, William Styron, Edward Albee, John Updike, Joseph Papp, Katharine Graham, and Philippe de Montebello—a constellation of artists, writers, and public figures whose presence generated global press coverage and cast a protective shield around Havel.
“I was worried the Communists might poison him or put him back in prison,” Luers later said. “My strategy was to bring as much visibility to Havel as possible.”
Luers’ efforts contributed to the eventual triumph of Havel’s Velvet Revolution in 1989 and his election as the final president of Czechoslovakia and the first president of the Czech Republic.
Beyond diplomacy, Luers was deeply connected to the arts. His career included roles with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other institutions, and he often described himself as someone who spent “a lot of my career with artists and writers, promoting the arts.”
Luers' legacy is one of subtle courage—a belief in diplomacy not merely as negotiation, but as protection, projection, and the quiet, persistent defense of moral clarity. His work demonstrates how cultural capital and human connection can be used to shield lives, amplify dissent, and support democracy.
Read the full obituary from The New York Times:
William H. Luers, Diplomat Who Backed Czech Dissident Leader, Dies at 95
Christina Goldbaum Wins 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting
Christina Goldbaum, a young Jewish journalist at The New York Times and member of Convisero, has been awarded the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting, alongside colleagues Azam Ahmed and Matthieu Aikins. The prize honors their remarkable work in the New York Times series titled “How the U.S. Lost Afghanistan.”
The award-winning reporting reveals how the United States, years before the fall of Kabul, laid the groundwork for the unraveling of its two-decade war in Afghanistan. Through in-depth investigations and frontline accounts, the series demonstrates the consequences of misaligned strategy, internal dysfunction, and long-ignored warnings.
Explore the full Pulitzer-winning series here:
How the U.S. Lost Afghanistan
Courtesy of The New York Times
In one of the centerpiece reports, Goldbaum and colleagues gained rare access to Sirajuddin Haqqani, one of the most powerful and controversial figures within the Taliban, offering a close view into the inner workings of the regime now governing Afghanistan.
Read the story: Sirajuddin Haqqani Is a Taliban Hard-Liner and Power Broker
A Voice for Critical Truths
Goldbaum’s recognition marks a significant moment not only for foreign reporting but for a new generation of journalists pushing boundaries in international investigative work. Her reporting has consistently centered the lived realities of those caught in conflict, while critically examining U.S. policy decisions with rigor and clarity.
Goldbaum has become known for her fieldwork in difficult and often dangerous conditions. Her work in Afghanistan stands as a testament to the power of explanatory journalism to illuminate complex geopolitical failures with humanity and urgency.
For more on Pulitzer Prize winners and featured stories, visit: Pulitzer.org
To explore more of Goldbaum’s international reporting, follow her work at The New York Times
Yulele at the Forefront of Global Storytelling and Advocacy
From international diplomacy to entertainment industry milestones, Yulele continues to demonstrate the cultural power of storytelling on the global stage.
Two recent highlights reflect the range and reach of Yulele’s work—bringing together high-profile talent, public leadership, and impactful narratives.
At the World Health Organization Headquarters
At the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Yulele participated in a special roundtable alongside Chinese celebrities and senior global health figures, including Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. The event focused on celebrity engagement and international collaboration in support of HIV/AIDS awareness and global health campaigns.
Celebrating TV Drama Success
In a separate celebration, Yulele hosted an awards event to mark the nationwide success of a recent TV drama produced by the company. Standing center stage with Yulele’s team is China’s #1 TV drama actress, joined by key figures from the production and streaming platform Youku. The series has been widely praised for both its storytelling and audience engagement across China.
With a mission to blend high-quality entertainment with cultural and social impact, Yulele continues to grow as a creative force in the Chinese media landscape—while expanding its presence in international public forums and advocacy efforts.
For more about Yulele’s latest productions and partnerships, visit: www.yulele.com
In Memoriam: Joseph S. Nye
Joseph S. Nye, distinguished political scientist, public servant, and former Dean of the Harvard Kennedy School, passed away on May 6, 2024 at the age of 88. His passing was unexpected despite his age—he remained intellectually and institutionally engaged until the very end, often seen walking to campus and attending faculty meetings at HKS.
Nye’s contributions to political thought, public policy, and international relations were profound. He is best known for coining the term “soft power”—a concept that transformed how global influence is understood. In Nye’s words, soft power is “the ability to affect others without coercion or payment, by means of attraction.” This idea not only became central to academic discourse but shaped U.S. foreign policy debates for decades.
Yet Nye's legacy extends beyond the vocabulary of power. He was also a builder of institutions that gave human rights a formal place in policy discourse. In 1999, during Harvard Kennedy School’s commencement, Dean Nye announced the establishment of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, founded in collaboration with HKS alumnus Greg Carr and under the early leadership of Samantha Power and Michael Ignatieff. Just one month before Nye’s passing, the center was renamed the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights, reflecting its continued growth and impact.
Nye believed deeply in the centrality of human rights to American soft power. He often argued that the moral dimensions of U.S. foreign policy—when sincere—enhanced national credibility and global influence. “America’s reputation for protecting human rights, for standing up for individual liberties and freedoms is a great source of soft power and attraction in the rest of the world,” he once wrote. He viewed values not as counter to national interest but as part of it, arguing that moral leadership and enlightened self-interest must co-exist in foreign policy.
His academic career was equally distinguished. Alongside Robert Keohane, he co-authored Power and Interdependence, a foundational text in international relations theory. His later work, including Do Morals Matter? Presidents and Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump (2020), applied a three-dimensional ethical lens—intentions, means, and consequences—to evaluating presidential leadership in foreign affairs.
Nye also served in public office, notably as Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs under President Bill Clinton. His time in government reinforced his conviction that foreign policy must balance hard and soft power—a philosophy he termed “smart power.”
His impact on generations of scholars, policymakers, and human rights advocates was deeply personal. As one HKS faculty member recalled: “When I received tenure, Joe emailed to say it was one of the best things he’d ever done—hiring me. That moment made me feel I belonged at Harvard. Joe embodied the virtues of this institution.”
Joseph Nye’s work and example continue to shape how we think about leadership, morality, and America’s place in the world. His passing is a profound loss to the global community, but his vision endures—in the institutions he built, the students he mentored, and the ideas that continue to guide our search for a more just and interdependent world.
Wonderful mentor and advisor.
He and Robert Keohane wrote unsolicited letters in support of me in 1985 after students whom I taught as their professor for their PS mandatory capstone senior seminar on Theory and Practice in IR petitioned to have me fired because the curriculum I created was ‘too hard.’
The department made a precedent-setting decision that the requirements were worth more than the regular amount of credit, and we moved forward :)