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.
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
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.
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
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
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
Oleander Initiative: Educators as Peacebuilders in Lebanon, Japan, and Beyond
The Oleander Initiative, organized by the University of the Middle East Project (UME), is a transformative peace education program that brings together educators from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the United States, and Japan to explore the legacies of nuclear warfare and develop localized approaches to resilience, rebuilding, and peace.
Now aligned with UME’s broader Lebanon Resilience and Peacebuilding efforts, the Oleander Initiative focuses on empowering educators to translate the historical and ethical lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki into impactful classroom activities tailored to their home communities.
The program is led by Ray Matsumiya, Executive Director of UME and a member of Convisero.
A Cross-Cultural Dialogue on Peace
In its 2017 edition, seventeen educators from across the MENA region, the U.S., and Japan gathered in Japan for an immersive eleven-day experience. Program highlights included:
Orientation and peace education sessions at UNITAR in Hiroshima
Visits to the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Memorial Museums
Participation in the Gensuikyo World Conference Against A+H Bombs
Testimonies from hibakusha, including former nurse Teruko Ueno and educator Miyako Jyodai
Educational and cultural exchanges with students at Jogakuin High School and Honkawa Elementary School
Participants also met with prominent peace leaders, including Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue, Dr. Lassina Zerbo of the CTBTO, and officials from the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation.
Building Local Impact from Global Lessons
Throughout the initiative, participants collaboratively developed original peace education projects for implementation in their schools and communities. These projects tackled themes such as nonviolence, interfaith understanding, and historical memory—providing students with practical tools for civic responsibility and peaceful engagement.
The Oleander Initiative places strong emphasis on the “power of place”, using the emotional and historical landscape of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to deepen reflection and cross-cultural empathy. Educators also engaged in traditional cultural experiences including origami, calligraphy, and the Bon-Odori festival, fostering shared humanity through art and ritual.
Global Recognition and Continued Work
The program has received international media coverage from NHK World and PBS, with broadcasts reaching audiences in over 150 countries. It continues to serve as a model for peace education across conflict-affected regions.
To learn more about the Oleander Initiative, visit:
🔗 oleanderinitiative.org
📄 Read the 2017 Program Report
For more information or to collaborate, contact Ray Matsumiya at RayMat@ume.org.
Chelsea, The Jewish Years: A Documentary Tribute to a Historic Jewish Community
A new documentary titled Chelsea, The Jewish Years explores the rich and often overlooked Jewish history of Chelsea, Massachusetts, during the first half of the twentieth century. Directed by Ellen Rovner—filmmaker, historian, and founder of the Chelsea Gateway Project—the film offers a compelling account of Chelsea’s cultural, political, and civic legacy as one of the most influential Jewish immigrant communities in the United States.
Ellen Rovner, who is also a member of The Trebuchet’s Convisero, brings both scholarly and community-rooted insight to this project. Her work is grounded in public history and Jewish cultural preservation.
The documentary is presented in collaboration with the Jewish Chelsea Museum and is supported in part by the Chelsea Cultural Heritage Grant, Chelsea Cultural Council, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Chelsea, The Jewish Years is now available for community screenings, both on-site and online. Educational resources and optional filmmaker-led discussions are available to accompany group viewings. The film is part of the broader Chelsea Gateway Project, which also features walking tours, events, and public history initiatives dedicated to preserving and sharing Chelsea’s immigrant heritage.
For screening requests or additional information, contact ellen@thechelseagatewayproject.com
RefugePoint Launches New Website and 2024 Annual Report
RefugePoint has launched a newly redesigned website at www.refugepoint.org, offering an updated and more accessible platform to highlight its mission and global refugee support programs.
The new site includes a comprehensive "Get Help" section designed to assist refugees directly, as well as detailed overviews of RefugePoint’s ongoing initiatives and impact areas. Navigation and content have been streamlined to make information about the organization’s programs, partnerships, and engagement opportunities more accessible to a broad audience.
A newly introduced Impact page features:
Stories of individual refugees supported through RefugePoint’s services
Statistics on refugee assistance across regions
Access to key publications, including quarterly and annual reports
2024 Annual Report Now Available
Alongside the website launch, RefugePoint has also published its 2024 Annual Report, available at the following link:
RefugePoint 2024 Annual Report (PDF)
The report outlines the organization’s work over the past year, including:
Quantitative data on services provided and geographic reach
Programmatic updates across areas such as resettlement, child protection, and field partnerships
Reflections on challenges and developments in refugee support and protection
The updated website and report reflect RefugePoint’s continued efforts to increase transparency, improve service accessibility, and highlight the impact of its work in advancing solutions for refugees worldwide.
For further information, visit: www.refugepoint.org
Escalation in the Middle East: Experts to Examine the Ongoing Israel-Iran Conflict
As Israel's military campaign against Iran intensifies, significant developments have emerged on both strategic and humanitarian fronts. Within days, Israel has made major tactical advances — targeting Iran’s senior military leadership, striking nuclear facilities, disabling rocket and drone systems, and asserting aerial dominance over Tehran. Yet, these victories have come at a high cost at home, with over two dozen casualties and substantial damage reported in central Israel.
With the trajectory of the conflict and Washington’s stance on deeper involvement still unclear, policy experts are convening for a critical conversation.
The upcoming Israel Policy Briefing will feature Raz Zimmt, Director of the Iran Program at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, and Kenneth Pollack, Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute. The session will be moderated by Rachel Brandenburg, Washington Managing Director and Senior Fellow at the Israel Policy Forum.
The discussion aims to assess the evolving military and political dimensions of the war, potential regional consequences, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Register for the webinar here
Stay tuned for more insights from this rapidly evolving situation.
Pahalgam’s Aftermath Sparks Urgent Questions on India-Pakistan Tensions
The recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam has reignited tensions between India and Pakistan, leading to a rapid military exchange and heightened diplomatic hostilities. Each side has blamed the other, with both claiming the upper hand in a volatile escalation that brought the region perilously close to open conflict.
A fragile ceasefire was eventually brokered through U.S. intervention, but many questions remain unanswered. Was India’s response measured or politically driven? Did Pakistan's actions reflect strategic resilience or desperation? And amid the media spin, who actually gained ground?
To unpack these complexities, veteran journalist Siddharth Varadarajan, founding editor of The Wire, will join Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy in a critical conversation. Together, they aim to examine the facts, challenge dominant narratives, and explore whether lasting peace is still within reach—or whether South Asia is caught in a cycle it cannot escape.
This conversation arrives at a time when clarity is more urgent than ever.
Global Maritime Accord – Academy to Host Webinar on Plastics and Overfishing
On 8 June 2025, in honour of World Oceans Day, the Global Maritime Accord – Academy (GMA.A) will convene its sixth public webinar, focusing on two of the most pressing threats to ocean health: plastic pollution and overfishing.
Titled "Plastics and Overfishing – Key Challenges for Ocean Health," the event brings together a distinguished panel of speakers from multiple continents, including marine scientists, naval strategists, sustainability experts, and youth leaders. The initiative is part of a growing global movement to shape collaborative frameworks for the future governance of marine ecosystems, particularly in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ).
The Global Maritime Accord (GMA) is a unique and pioneering effort that brings together civil society, academia, policy institutions, and military organisations to draft a cohesive and just framework for sustainable ocean governance. The GMA Academy (GMA.A), coordinated by the Liechtenstein Institute for Strategic Development (LISD), serves as the educational and research arm of this initiative.
Event Overview
Title: GMA Academy Webinar 6
Theme: Plastics and Overfishing – Key Challenges for Ocean Health
Date: 8 June 2025
Time:
UTC: 1200
EST: 0800
BST: 1300
CEST: 1400
IST: 1730
AEST: 2200
Registration: To register, email GMA@eurisd.org with your full name, affiliation, preferred email, and contact number. Webinar access details will be sent on 5 June 2025.
Event page and past recordings: www.globalmaritimeaccord.org
Featured Speakers
Prof. Peter Droege – Founding Director, LISD (Liechtenstein)
Admiral (Ret.) Robin K. Dhowan – Chairman, SAMDeS (India); Former Chief of Naval Staff
Prof. Micheni Japhet Ntiba – Professor of Zoology and Marine Biology, University of Nairobi
Ms. Aamber Fatima – Senior Director, I.I.M.U.N., Mumbai; Youth Social Impact Leader
Mr. Ulhas Parlikar – Global Consultant, Waste Management and Circular Economy
Commodore (Ret.) Sujeet Samaddar – Program Mentor; SAMDeS and MRAI Adviser
These contributors will address the environmental, scientific, and governance-related dimensions of marine degradation, and will explore both policy and practice-based interventions.
Context and Readings
Participants are encouraged to engage with the following materials in preparation for the event:
Foreground Reading:
Ocean Darkening – Substack summary by Luke McMillan: Voice for the Blue
Full paper by Thomas W. Davies & Tim Smyth: Global Change Biology
Background Reading:
Beyond Paris: Emergency Imperatives for Global Policy and Local Action
Published in Springer Nature’s Sustainable Earth Review:
Read article
About the Global Maritime Accord
The GMA is the first global initiative designed to bring together stakeholders from across governance, science, civil society, and defence to draft a cohesive framework for ocean protection—especially in regions beyond national control. It works in alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and focuses on protecting marine biodiversity in areas that currently suffer from fragmented or absent regulatory oversight.
Participating countries include Australia, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Germany, India, Kenya, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Academy’s programming is supported by a coalition of partners, including:
Liechtenstein Institute for Strategic Development (LISD)
Society for Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Studies (SAMDeS)
The Trebuchet – Breaking Down Barriers / Building Bridges
International Military Council on Climate and Security (Netherlands)
Commonwealth Security and Resilience Group (UK)
This upcoming webinar marks an important moment in advancing collaborative thinking on sustainable ocean governance. For students, researchers, policy professionals, and ocean advocates, the session offers not just learning—but an invitation to contribute to shaping an emerging global accord.
For further details, visit: www.globalmaritimeaccord.org