Webinar on Red Team AI Simulation
A special webinar titled “Red Team AI Simulation: An Adversarial Scenario in AI-Biotech Intersection” will be held on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM IST. The event is organized by CSI Chennai, IEEE CS Madras, ACM Chennai, and Bioclues, and will feature student researchers from Sai University, Chennai.
Event Focus
The session explores AI red teaming—a practice where experts simulate real-world attacks on AI systems to uncover vulnerabilities. In this case, students examined how large language models (LLMs) can be manipulated in the context of biotechnology and bioweapon risks. Their work highlights critical vulnerabilities in AI and the urgent need for robust safeguards, ethical guidelines, and proactive risk mitigation strategies.
Speakers
Four student presenters will share their findings:
Hariniy Gunaseelan – 3rd Year BTech (Data Science)
Danisha Shri – 3rd Year BS (Philosophy & Psychology)
M. R. Tarun – 3rd Year BTech (CS with Data Science)
Abhinav Mohan Kumar – 2nd Year BTech (CS with Data Science)
Their project was conducted under the mentorship of Mr. Tyler Peppel (CEO, Tickr AI; Professor, NYU) and Prof. Sherman Teichman (The Trebuchet; Tufts University).
How to Join
The webinar is open to participants across disciplines interested in AI, biotechnology, and security studies.
Date: 10 September 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM IST
Register here: https://bit.ly/web-250910-red-team-ai-simulation
Voices of the Innocent: Dreams of Freedom
The New England Innocence Project (NEIP) will host Voices of the Innocent: Dreams of Freedom at City Winery Boston on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. The evening will include food, drinks, and a program featuring personal stories from individuals directly impacted by wrongful convictions.
Honoring Al Kaneb
This year’s event will present the 2025 Arc of Justice Award to Al Kaneb in recognition of his long-standing support of NEIP and his efforts on behalf of wrongfully convicted individuals. Kaneb has been involved with the organization for nearly a decade, offering guidance and resources during critical moments.
His advocacy has included work on the case of Nancy Wagner, a Massachusetts woman wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life without parole. Wagner spent 30 years incarcerated before her release. Supporters credit Kaneb’s persistence and encouragement as key in helping her rebuild her life.
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Location: City Winery Boston, 80 Beverly St., Boston, MA
Schedule:
6:00 p.m. – Food & Drinks
7:00 p.m. – Program
Focus on Justice
The event will highlight not only Kaneb’s contributions but also the broader struggles of those wrongfully convicted. Through firsthand accounts, attendees will hear about the challenges of incarceration and the resilience required to reclaim freedom.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the event page.
Futurespaces: Museums in the Age of AI
Futurespaces has announced a timely session exploring the future of museums in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. With one of the scheduled speakers unable to attend this week, Josh Goldblum, founder of Bluecadet and Futurespaces, will lead the conversation.
Event Details
Topic: Museums in the Age of AI
Date: Wednesday, September 4, 2025
Time: 11 AM PST | 2 PM EST
Museums in Transition
Museums have historically served as more than repositories of artifacts. From early “cabinets of curiosity” to national institutions and centers of heritage, they have long been regarded as authoritative cultural gatekeepers. Today, however, their authority is being reshaped—not only by digital access to information but now also by AI-driven systems that redefine how knowledge is curated and consumed.
Goldblum will examine the shifting role of museums as they navigate these changes. Questions under discussion include:
What unique function can museums serve in an era when knowledge is everywhere?
Can they continue to act as civic gathering spaces and forums for cultural discourse?
How should they balance economic sustainability with their cultural and social responsibilities?
A Broader Conversation
The session is part of Futurespaces’ ongoing exploration of contemporary experience design, with a focus on the intersection of design, technology, and human connection. Following Goldblum’s presentation, participants are invited to join a roundtable discussion to share perspectives on how cultural stewardship might evolve alongside artificial intelligence.
About Futurespaces
Founded and led by Josh Goldblum, Futurespaces offers live webinars and in-person tours that investigate how creative and technological innovations can shape meaningful human experiences.
For those interested in cultural institutions, design, and technology, this session provides an opportunity to engage with pressing questions about museums’ future relevance in a digital-first, AI-driven world.
Emergency Discussion: The Starvation of Gaza
Black Flag in Academia is convening an urgent online event to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where starvation is being used as a weapon of war.
Since 2007, Israel has controlled the availability of foodstuffs in Gaza through a blockade. Following the events of October 7, 2023, this control has intensified, raising alarm that starvation is being deployed as a method of warfare against Palestinians. While Gaza has experienced food scarcity during the past 21 months, the situation has deteriorated sharply in recent days. Since July 21, 2025, at least 54 individuals have died from starvation. Analysts and health professionals stress that this catastrophe is entirely man-made and the direct consequence of Israeli policy.
Event Details
Date: Monday, July 28, 2025
Time: 21:00 Israel/Palestine | 20:00 CET | 2:00 PM EDT
Format: Live Zoom discussion and broadcast
Access link: Join Zoom Meeting
Speakers
Dr. Ezzideen Shehab, Al-Rahma Medical Center
Prof. Roni Strier, Haifa University
Tamar Luster, Tel Aviv University
Prof. Alex de Waal, World Peace Foundation and Tufts University
Moderator:
Dr. Fatina Abreek-Zubeidat, Tel Aviv University
Discussion Focus
This emergency panel will explore:
The immediate and long-term impacts of starvation in Gaza
The legal frameworks surrounding starvation as a method of warfare
The role of international actors and civil society in preventing further catastrophe
Concrete steps that can be taken to stop this man-made crisis
This event offers an opportunity to hear directly from medical experts, academics, and policy specialists about one of the gravest humanitarian emergencies of our time.
Finding Refuge Together: Celebrating 20 Years of RefugePoint
This October, RefugePoint will mark a major milestone—its 20th anniversary—with a one-night-only celebration, Finding Refuge Together, hosted at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Since its founding in 2005, RefugePoint has helped more than 180,000 refugees secure resettlement and other pathways to safety. The anniversary event is designed both as a cultural celebration and as an opportunity to support the organization’s mission of expanding lasting solutions for refugees worldwide.
Why Attend?
An Iconic Setting
The event will take place at the Museum of Fine Arts, offering attendees a rare chance to experience the museum’s striking galleries and architecture after hours.
Global Cuisine
Guests will enjoy a dine-around reception featuring international dishes that reflect the diversity and resilience of refugee communities.
Performances and Art
The evening program will highlight powerful expressions of refugee journeys, including:
A dance performance on family separation and reunion
A recital by an Afghan pianist who describes his music as an act of resistance
A pop-up marketplace featuring handcrafted works by refugee artisans
An Afro-Beats DJ set to close out the night
Stories That Inspire
Speakers will include refugee leaders, RefugePoint staff, and global humanitarians. The program will also feature Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Time Woman of the Year, Nadia Murad.
Celebration with Purpose
Every ticket sold and donation made will directly support RefugePoint’s work in resettlement, family reunification, labor mobility, and refugee self-reliance. Attendees are invited to dress in either formal attire or cultural dress, reflecting the evening’s theme of unity in diversity.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Tickets: Available at www.findingrefugetogether.org
Special Offer: 20% discount on tickets through Labor Day
This event promises to be a memorable evening of art, music, food, and storytelling, bringing communities together in recognition of refugees’ resilience and in support of RefugePoint’s work over the past two decades.
Dry Lands, Deep Courage: Co-Resisting Water Apartheid in the Jordan Valley
Water scarcity in the West Bank has long been a central issue, but for many Palestinian farming families, the challenge is not just access—it is survival. Farmers in areas such as Bardala in the northern Jordan Valley report that their irrigation systems are often vandalized, their water tanks destroyed, and their crops trampled. Daily struggles include making multiple trips through checkpoints to secure water, often spending entire days just to bring it home.
At a recent gathering, one farmer described the risks of tending his fields under threat of violence, while another, Muhamed, shared that each morning he says farewell to his family as though it could be the last time. Activists from Combatants for Peace (CfP), both Palestinian and Israeli, have been present in these communities, standing alongside farmers to help ensure they are not left alone.
CfP’s commitment extends beyond protection. On August 15, students from CfP’s Palestinian Freedom School delivered two water tanks to families in Al-Walajeh, supporting their resilience against water shortages. Yet, even CfP’s own Palestinian organizers face similar deprivation, with some homes receiving little or no water despite scheduled supply days.
To spotlight these realities and the ongoing grassroots resistance, CfP will host an online seminar:
Dry Lands, Deep Courage: Co-Resisting Water Apartheid in the Jordan Valley
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
1:00–2:15 PM ET
Participants will hear directly from CfP activists about their work with Palestinian farming communities and the broader campaign for water justice.
Register here to attend the event and learn more about the intersection of daily survival, solidarity, and resistance.
Physicians for Human Rights Israel - A Convisero Gathering
Pictured here are friends and allies who have come to a Trebuchet/Convisero meeting for Physicians for Human Rights Israel at my home, moderated by Convisero mentor Susannah Sirkin, former longtime policy director at Physicians for Human Rights (U.S.).
From left to right-
Standing: Jehane Sedky, Dick Lanza, Susannaah Sirkin, Sherman Teichman, Michael M.J. Fischer, Dr. Lina Qassem-Hassan, Dr. Guy Shalev, Joshua Rubenstein, Cristiano Bonino, Mona Mowafi.
Kneeling: Shai Schubert, Ken Shulman, Prof. Leibowitz
Here is the invitation from Susannah:
I'm very pleased to join Sherman Teichman and Iris Adler who are graciously hosting a discussion with Drs. Guy Shalev and Lina Qassem-Hassan of Physicians for Human Rights - Israel (PHRI). *
They will talk about their efforts to respond the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and the West Bank as well and PHR-I's longtstanding and ongoing work to promote dignity, equality and justice for all people living under Israel's responsibility control.
These human rights leaders will be on a short visit to the Northeast U.S. to raise awareness and broaden their network for advocacy and support.
Sunday evening, March 31st, 7 pm, at Sherman's home
Dr. Guy Shalev—Guy is PHRI's Executive Director and a research fellow at the Minerva Center for the Rule of Law Under Extreme Conditions. He is a medical and political anthropologist specializing in the intersection of medical professionalism, ethnonational politics, and bioethics in Israel/Palestine. Guy received his Ph.D. from The University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill in 2018, and his publications have appeared in American Anthropologist, Israeli Sociology, and Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry.
Dr. Lina Qassem-Hassan—Lina is the Chairperson of PHRI's Board of Directors. She is a family medicine specialist with Clalit Health Services in the Haifa and Western Galilee District, specializing in end-of-life care. In addition to regularly volunteering with PHRI's West Bank mobile clinic and medical delegations to Gaza, Lina volunteers with their Prisoners and Detainees department, accompanying Palestinian hunger strikers. Recently, Lina volunteered with PHRI's emergency make-shift clinic for survivors of the October 7 massacre and has spoken out about her belief that all victims of this war deserve medical treatment.
Much appreciation,
Susannah (Sirkin), former longtime policy director at Physicians for Human Rights (U.S.)
The horrific events of October 7th in all its brutality and sadism, and the subsequent Israeli regime’s rampant operational reaction to destroy Hamas with its abhorrent loss of thousands of innocent lives have shaken me. Elsewhere I have addressed strategies attempting to restore deterrence but for me, the imperative has always remained how to struggle to secure a humane future for both Israeli and Palestinian peoples (NIMEP Insights).
This meeting of PHRI is, among others I have hosted including the Abraham Initiatives, of organizations I believe have integrity in the midst of all this horrific chaos.
I have defended the concept of self-determination for both Israel and Palestine for many decades. Immediately after the days after the ’67 war, influenced by Prof. Leibowitz who I had met at Givat Ram Hebrew University “warned against the state of Israel and Zionism becoming more sacred than Jewish humanist values”… and of the “dehumanizing effect of the occupation on the victims and the oppressors.”
We were privileged to have in our midst Prof. Liebowitz's grandson Akiva and his wife Hila.
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.
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
Chelsea, The Jewish Years Brings Local History to the Screen
The documentary Chelsea, The Jewish Years, directed by Ellen Rovner, is being presented across Chelsea, Massachusetts, in a series of public screenings hosted in partnership with local cultural organizations. The film explores Chelsea’s pivotal role as a center of Jewish immigrant life in the early twentieth century and is presented in collaboration with the Jewish Chelsea Museum.
Screenings are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Select events will include panel discussions and receptions.
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Jewish Life Care
To register or inquire, email: ellen@thechelseagatewayproject.com
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Jewish Chelsea Museum at Temple Emmanuel
Address: 60 Tudor Street, Chelsea, MA 02150
Following the film, a panel discussion will be moderated by Laura Mandel, Managing Director of The Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture. A reception with light refreshments will follow.
Admission: Free
RSVP: Available via Eventbrite
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: GreenRoots Teaching Kitchen
Address: 63 Pearl Street, Chelsea, MA
RSVP: Available via Eventbrite
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Chelsea Black Community
Address: 68 Washington Avenue, Chelsea, MA
Ticket information: Available in June
To arrange a community or institutional screening of the film, either on-site or online, please contact ellen@thechelseagatewayproject.com. Study guides and filmmaker engagement options are available to support group discussions.
This screening series is supported in part by a grant from the Chelsea Cultural Council, with additional support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Combined Jewish Philanthropies.
Israel and Iran at War — Policy Briefing on the Escalating Conflict
The Israel Policy Forum is hosting a timely webinar to examine the rapidly unfolding military conflict between Israel and Iran. As Israel continues its strikes targeting Iran’s military leadership and nuclear infrastructure, questions remain about the broader strategic goals and the cost of war on both sides.
This special Israel Policy Briefing will bring together leading regional experts to unpack recent developments and analyze the next steps for policymakers.
Speakers:
Raz Zimmt, Director of the Iran Program at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies
Kenneth Pollack, Vice President for Policy at the Middle East Institute
Moderator: Rachel Brandenburg, Washington Managing Director and Senior Fellow, Israel Policy Forum
Topics of discussion include:
Israel’s military objectives and achievements
Domestic impact on Israeli civilians and infrastructure
Iran’s response and regional destabilization risks
U.S. involvement and strategic considerations going forward
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: Online
This is an essential briefing for anyone interested in the evolving dynamics of the Middle East and global security.
Lessons from the India-Pakistan Clash After Pahalgam
In the wake of the tragic attack on tourists in Pahalgam, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated into a dangerous military exchange. Both nations blamed each other and declared victory, while retaliatory strikes and diplomatic friction pushed the region to the brink. A fragile ceasefire was eventually secured with U.S. mediation.
To critically unpack what happened and where things stand, The Black Hole is hosting a timely public conversation titled “Pahalgam’s Aftermath: Lessons from the India-Pakistan Clash.”
Join Siddharth Varadarajan, veteran journalist and founding editor of The Wire, as he examines the strategic, political, and human dimensions of the confrontation. The session will be moderated by Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy, with a focus on dissecting the official narratives, exploring the strategic consequences, and asking the urgent question: Can this cycle of violence be broken?
Details:
Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: The Black Hole, 5-H, Street 100, G-11/3, Islamabad
Entry: Free and open to all
This event is part of the Baat se Baat series and invites the community to engage in critical dialogue on the region's most pressing issues.
Global Maritime Accord – Academy Webinar on World Oceans Day
The Global Maritime Accord – Academy (GMA.A), an initiative led by the Liechtenstein Institute for Strategic Development (LISD) for the Society of Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Studies (SAMDeS), invites participation in its upcoming 6th public webinar in observance of World Oceans Day, 8 June 2025.
Webinar Theme:
Plastics and Overfishing – Key Challenges for Ocean Health
This session will examine two of the most pressing threats to ocean ecosystems: the global proliferation of plastic pollution and the unsustainable scale of industrial overfishing. It will convene experts and advocates from across sectors to explore strategies for remediation and long-term ocean resilience.
Event Details
Date: 8 June 2025
Time:
1200 UTC
0800 EST
1300 BST
1400 CEST
1730 IST
2200 AEST
Registration: Email GMA@eurisd.org with your full name, affiliation, preferred email address, and phone number. Webinar links will be issued on 5 June 2025.
More information: www.globalmaritimeaccord.org
Speakers and Contributors
Prof. Peter Droege (LISD, Liechtenstein)
Introduction to the GMA Academy and framing remarksAdmiral (Ret.) Robin K. Dhowan (SAMDeS, India)
Save Oceans for a Safe WorldProf. Micheni Japhet Ntiba (University of Nairobi, Kenya)
Sustainable Fishing Practices and Policy ImplicationsMs. Aamber Fatima (Senior Director, I.I.M.U.N., Mumbai)
Youth-led Initiatives in Plastic Waste ReductionMr. Ulhas Parlikar (Board Director, MRAI; former Director, ACC Geocycle)
The Plastics Treaty and Ocean Health: Global Waste SolutionsCommodore (Ret.) Sujeet Samaddar (SAMDeS, India)
Integrating Fish Protection and Anti-Pollution Measures into the GMA Implementation Framework
About the GMA and GMA.A
The Global Maritime Accord (GMA) is the first integrated, international initiative focused on harmonized governance of ocean spaces, with a special emphasis on Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ). Its academic and research platform, the GMA Academy, serves as a collaborative forum for education, dialogue, and development of new frameworks for marine governance.
The GMA supports implementation of international agreements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It brings together oceanographers, legal scholars, diplomats, environmental scientists, and security professionals from over a dozen countries, including Australia, Canada, Kenya, Germany, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Foreground Reading
The Ocean is Getting Darker: Why Isn’t Anyone Talking About It?
Summary by Luke McMillan on Voice for the Blue
Full paper by Thomas W. Davies and Tim Smyth: Global Change Biology, 2024
Background Reading
Beyond Paris: Emergency Imperatives for Global Policy and Local Action
Open access via Springer Nature’s Sustainable Earth Review:
Read the article
This event is hosted in collaboration with the following partner organisations:
Liechtenstein Institute for Strategic Development (LISD)
Society for Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Studies (SAMDeS), India
International Military Council on Climate and Security, Netherlands
The Trebuchet – Breaking Down Barriers / Building Bridges
Commonwealth Security and Resilience Group, UK
For all past event recordings and additional resources, visit: www.globalmaritimeaccord.org
College Freedom Forum at Tufts: Voices of Resistance and Hope
On a powerful day of reflection, resistance, and dialogue, the College Freedom Forum (CFF) brought together a remarkable coalition of global human rights defenders, students, and educators at Tufts University. Produced by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) in partnership with the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, IGL, and The Trebuchet, the forum highlighted some of the most urgent human rights challenges in authoritarian regimes and uplifted the voices of those courageously working to confront them.
CFF serves as a platform to connect university students with prominent advocates for democracy, freedom of expression, and justice. It offers students the opportunity to engage deeply with international issues while forming direct connections with frontline activists and thinkers.
Featured Keynote Speakers
The forum featured compelling testimonies and stories from globally recognized activists:
Faisal Al Mutar – Founder of Ideas Beyond Borders, survivor of sectarian violence in Iraq, and advocate for knowledge access in authoritarian contexts.
Jewher Ilham – Advocate for Uyghur rights and daughter of imprisoned scholar Ilham Tohti. Her work spotlights forced labor and international advocacy for the Uyghur community.
Hanna Liubakova – Belarusian journalist and analyst reporting on developments in Belarusian civil resistance.
Félix Maradiaga – Nicaraguan political activist and former prisoner of conscience, advocating for democracy and the rule of law.
Lobsang Sangay – Former President of the Central Tibetan Administration and senior fellow at Harvard Law School.
DJ Switch (Obianuju Catherine Udeh) – Nigerian artist and activist known for her leadership in the #EndSARS movement and use of music to protest injustice.
Program Overview
Opening Session (10:00–11:15 AM)
Speakers shared personal journeys and advocacy efforts in the face of repression, introduced by Elle Ota (HRF) and Dayna Cunningham (Dean, Tisch College). Speakers included Faisal Al Mutar, Jewher Ilham, and Félix Maradiaga.
Session II (11:30 AM–12:30 PM)
Featured remarks from Tufts student Nica Gojan and HRF’s Sherman Teichman, followed by talks from DJ Switch, Hanna Liubakova, and Lobsang Sangay. The session closed with reflections from Liz Selbherd and Grace Spalding-Fecher (HRF).
Panel Discussions
Voices of Resistance: The Reality of Human Rights Advocacy (2:00–3:15 PM)
Moderated by Eleanor Shackne-Martello, with Faisal Al Mutar and Lobsang SangayThe Dictator’s Playbook: Strategies of Repression and Resistance (3:15–4:30 PM)
Moderated by Ariadna Condezo Trinidad, featuring Jewher Ilham, Hanna Liubakova, and Félix Maradiaga
Breakout Sessions & Reception (4:30–6:00 PM)
Dinner followed at Breed Memorial Hall.
About CFF
CFF is a series of university-based forums created by the Human Rights Foundation to amplify the work of dissidents, journalists, artists, and policy thinkers operating under authoritarian regimes. Through presentations and dialogue, the program equips the next generation of scholars and civic leaders with knowledge, insight, and inspiration.
Hosted at Tufts, this year’s forum sparked urgent conversation across disciplines and borders—uniting attendees around the shared goal of global justice.
For more about the Human Rights Foundation and upcoming forums, visit: www.hrf.org
Educating for Peace: A Teachers’ Conference for Nuclear Disarmament Education
Calling all educators committed to peacebuilding and civic responsibility—this in-person weekend conference is designed for middle and high school teachers passionate about fostering critical thinking and empowering youth to create a better world.
Dates: May 9–11, 2025
Location: Cambridge, MA
Format: Free and in-person only (application required)
Organized by the Ikeda Center for Peace, Learning, and Dialogue, the Soka Institute for Global Solutions, the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, and EdEthics at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the conference brings together educators to build capacity in nuclear disarmament education.
Participants will:
Explore practical strategies for integrating nuclear disarmament into the classroom
Strengthen skills for civic engagement and critical thinking
Connect with like-minded teachers in an inspiring and collaborative setting
Who should apply? Middle and high school educators ready to lead thoughtful dialogue and global learning in their communities.
Spots are limited. Apply now to be part of this transformative learning experience.
Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi at MIT
The Massachusetts Rwandan Community Abroad, in collaboration with MIT students, invites you to attend a solemn event honoring the victims and survivors of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, during which one million lives were lost in the span of just 100 days.
While Rwanda officially observes the national commemoration on April 7, the Massachusetts Rwandan community will hold its remembrance gathering on April 10, 2025, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Event Details:
Date: April 10, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: W20-307, 3rd Floor, Stratton Student Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
This gathering provides an opportunity to reflect, honor the memory of the victims, and stand in solidarity with the survivors and their families.
For further information about Kwibuka and survivor support in the United States, please visit: www.ibukausa.org
Undercurrents: An Art Exhibition Exploring Community Challenges
Join us for Undercurrents, an art exhibition that uses creativity as a lens to explore the pressing issues affecting our communities today. Through powerful visual works, artists will shed light on local and global challenges while sparking meaningful dialogue.
Dates: April 14–15, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: The Clayroom, 1408 Beacon St, Brookline
An artist panel will take place on April 14 at 7:00 PM, offering deeper insight into the inspirations and messages behind the artwork.
Exhibiting Artists:
Janet Kawada
JayPix Belmer
Gail Bos
Carla Osberg
Terry Boutelle
Lisa Fliegel
Come learn more about the stories behind the artwork, connect with the artists, and reflect on how art can become a tool for awareness and action.
Book your free ticket:
Register at tinyurl.com/undercurrentsevent
For more details:
Call +305-606-7334 or email mariaa.udalova@gmail.com
VII Foundation Exhibition
Opening April 8 at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, April 1975: Phnom Penh / Saigon is a powerful exhibition by The VII Foundation, part of the Memory Module Program 2025. It documents the final days of the Vietnam War and the Khmer Rouge takeover in Cambodia, capturing moments of profound historical transition and human resilience as witnessed by the photographers on the ground.
Curated by Gary Knight and Jon Swain, the exhibition features over 100 photographs and personal artifacts from journalists who risked their lives to document history. It explores themes of conflict, memory, and survival through raw, unforgettable visuals. Among them is the visceral image of a man being punched—an iconic moment that encapsulates the chaos, fear, and emotion of the period. This and many other images confront viewers with the personal cost of geopolitical collapse.
Hosted by the VII Foundation, this exhibition serves not only as a memorial to those caught in the crossfire of history but also as a call to bear witness. It reminds us of the continued relevance of photojournalism in understanding the complexities of our world and honors the lives of 31 Cambodian journalists killed by the Khmer Rouge.
Location: National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo
Opening Hours: Tue–Fri: 10 AM–7 PM, Sat–Sun: 10 AM–6 PM
Admission: Free for this exhibition
More info: https://theviifoundation.org/report/exhibitions/april-1975-phnom-penh-saigon/
Image courtesy of The VII Foundation.
50/50 Startups - Israeli, Palestinian Collaboration and Coexistence, A Glimmer of Hope
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
There are, even in the current environment of anti-normalization and extreme polarization within our communities, resilient and persistent efforts to confront the pessimism that seems so pervasive. I have often referred to Leonard Cohen's Anthem lyric, "There is a crack, a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." One such effort is one I am very proud to be affiliated with: 50:50 Startups. One of its core creators is my friend, and Trebuchet mentor, Amir Grinstein.
We will gather with a small group of bold Israeli and Palestinians, unique, courageous entrepreneurs who are alumni of the 50:50 Startups program, who will talk about their experiences building startups together.
The question we are entertaining is:
"Can Entrepreneurship Bridge an Extreme Divide?"
These unique, courageous entrepreneurs are alumni of the 50:50 Startups program, which brings Israelis and Palestinians together to develop and nurture collaborative startups. Northeastern University is its critical partner.
Attached, please find the flyer with all of the speakers' bios.
There will be excellent food, drinks, and perhaps a bit of hope and inspiration.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Please RSVP soon by writing to both Amir and me.
Sherman and Amir
PS – Apologies for the late invitation. I was abroad until very recently.
Polarization in the Wild: Understanding Our Global Divides
Hope Makers in the Living Room presents a timely and thought-provoking conversation on one of the most pressing issues of our time: polarization.
From climate change debates to the rise of populist movements and the global pandemic, polarization isn’t just a buzzword—it’s actively reshaping our societies and democracies. But what does it really mean, and what can we do about it?
Join us for an evening of reflection and dialogue with Dr. Kati Kish Bar-On (MIT & Northeastern), who will explore the roots and implications of societal division—and why it so often leads to hatred.
Date & Time:
March 26
Starts at 7:30 PM
Location:
82 Atherton Rd., Unit 2
Brookline, MA 02446
Come be part of the conversation and help imagine ways forward, together.
