Readers Without Borders Discussion on The Return of the Taliban
Readers Without Borders will host an upcoming virtual event featuring Dr. Hassan Abbas, author of The Return of the Taliban, for a timely discussion on Afghanistan’s political future and the Taliban’s return to power.
Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban rapidly re-established control, raising urgent questions about regional stability, humanitarian conditions, and international engagement. In this book, Abbas explores how the Taliban evolved across three major phases: their initial rise in the 1990s (Taliban 1.0), their insurgency years (Taliban 2.0), and their current role as governing authorities (Taliban 3.0).
Drawing on field research, interviews, and firsthand experience, Abbas examines internal rivalries, ideological shifts, and regional dynamics shaping the Taliban today. He argues for a strategy of measured engagement—emphasizing that engagement does not mean endorsement, but may be necessary to prevent deeper humanitarian collapse and extremist expansion.
The event will include Abbas joining live to discuss his findings and address questions on conflict resolution, women’s rights, humanitarian principles, and long-term security challenges.
Event Details
Topic: The Return of the Taliban — Discussion with Dr. Hassan Abbas
Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Eastern Time)
Format: Zoom Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87016547920?pwd=XCrsIrMwWYGTNmc9I9LQIhecZDOtfU.1
Meeting ID: 870 1654 7920
Passcode: 426267
About the Author
Dr. Hassan Abbas is a Distinguished Professor of International Relations at the Near East South Asia (NESA) Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University in Washington, D.C. He has previously taught at Harvard and Columbia Universities and has written extensively on South and Central Asian politics, Islam, and security.
Organizer
Ambereen Mirza
mirza.ambereen@gmail.com
Harvard Law School Human Rights Program Discussion on India’s Constitutional Democracy
The Human Rights Program (HRP) at Harvard Law School, marking its 40th anniversary, has announced an upcoming public event examining the promises and challenges of India’s constitutional democracy.
Upcoming Event: India's Constitutional Democracy: [In]Complete Justice?
Date: Friday, January 30
Time: 12:15 PM EST
Location: TBD
This event will feature a discussion with Justice Srinivasan Muralidhar, former Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court, and Professor Sugata Bose. The conversation will explore whether the Constitution of India, and the Supreme Court it established, has fulfilled its foundational commitments to liberty, equality, fraternity, and dignity.
The discussion will also address the Court’s role in checking majoritarian impulses and the excesses of state power, as well as the broader question of judicial legitimacy in contemporary India.
The event highlights Justice Muralidhar’s newly released book:
"[In]complete Justice? The Supreme Court at 75"
The book offers a critical exploration of the Supreme Court’s evolving role over its 75-year history and raises questions about its ability to deliver equal and fair justice while navigating political and institutional pressures.
Lunch will be provided. Additional event details are available through HRP’s events page.
Fellowship Announcement: Neelan Tiruchelvam Memorial Fellowship (2026–2027)
HRP and the Program on Law and Society in the Muslim World (PLSMW) at Harvard Law School are currently accepting applications for the Neelan Tiruchelvam Memorial Fellowship for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The fellowship supports outstanding legal scholars and practitioners of Sri Lankan background to undertake research and scholarly engagement on human rights themes related to Sri Lanka and South Asia for up to one academic semester at Harvard Law School.
The fellowship honors the late Neelan Tiruchelvam, a Sri Lankan peace and human rights activist, lawyer, scholar, and politician.
Application deadline: March 2, 2026
Further information and the online application are available through Harvard Law School HRP.
Israeli Hope Makers Returns with the First Gathering of 2026
Happy New Year to our community.
As we begin 2026, we are pleased to share the first event on this year’s calendar as part of the Israeli Hope Makers series. We look forward to gathering again for an evening of conversation, learning, and reflection.
Save the Date
Date: January 29, 2026
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: 82 Atherton Rd, Brookline, Unit 2
Event Talk
This session will be led by Ory Zik, CEO of Qnergy:
“Energy Blind”: Why are we energy blind, what does it mean, and how to change it?
The talk will explore the concept of “energy blindness,” how it shapes the way societies understand consumption and sustainability, and what it might take to rethink our relationship with energy, climate, and resources.
About the Speaker
Ory Zik is an entrepreneur and sustainability thinker known for approaching energy challenges from a fresh and interdisciplinary perspective. With a PhD in Physics from the Weizmann Institute, along with a background in activism and innovation, he brings a distinctive voice to the discussion around climate and resource consumption.
We Hope to See You There
We encourage community members to join us for the first gathering of the year and to be part of the conversations that will shape our shared learning in 2026.
We hope to see many of you soon.
Human Trafficking Awareness Month Programming
January is recognized as Human Trafficking Awareness Month, with events and trainings taking place throughout the month to raise awareness and support action against exploitation.
Two upcoming public events in late January will focus on community education, survivor-informed perspectives, and strategies to address the demand that drives trafficking.
Webinar: Understanding the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)
Event: Understanding the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: A Community Call to Action
Date: January 22, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
Format: Online
This free community webinar introduces the realities of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). The session is adapted from the organization’s CSEC 101 training and is designed to address common questions from community members, including what exploitation looks like today and how technology is contributing to harm.
Participants will leave with an understanding of what CSEC is, where it occurs, and how communities can respond more effectively.
Registration is available through My Life My Choice.
Human Trafficking Awareness Breakfast: How Buyers Drive Human Trafficking
Event: 3rd Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Breakfast
Theme: How Buyers Drive Human Trafficking
Date: January 27, 2026
Time: 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM EST
Location: The Atrium at MassBay Wellesley Campus
Hosted by the Survivors & Allies Coalition for Justice (formerly the EMMA Coalition), this annual breakfast will focus on how demand for commercial sex contributes to sex trafficking.
The program will feature survivors and field experts discussing the long-term impacts of sexual exploitation, accountability approaches, and local strategies to reduce demand. Methuen Mayor D.J. Beauergard will also speak on initiatives targeting buyers as part of community-level prevention efforts.
Sponsored by:
MassBay Community College
Metro West Commission on the Status of Women
MA Office of Victim Assistance
Registration is available through the event organizers.
2026 Training Calendar
Registration is now open for all 2026 trainings, offered both online and in person. Programs include core prevention trainings as well as a ten-week advanced clinical training focused on treating complex trauma.
Additional training and consultation options are available by contacting the training team at mlmctraining@jri.org.
More details can be found through the My Life My Choice training calendar.
Artwrld Podcast Live Conversation on “A Multipolar Art World?”
A free, live online conversation will take place on Friday, January 13 at 2:00 PM EST as part of Season 3, Episode 2 of the Artwrld Podcast.
The session will feature:
Michael Connor, Executive Director of Rhizome
Joshua Citarella, artist and internet culture writer
Josh Goldblum, Founder and CEO of Artwrld
Focus of the Event
The episode centers on Joshua Citarella’s recent text, A Multipolar Art World?, which argues that the era of globalization that has shaped contemporary art is coming to an end. Citarella suggests that new political shifts are giving rise to a more location-specific and multipolar global art landscape.
“We seem to be at the end of globalization. With seismic political shifts, a certain era of contemporary art has also come to a close.”
– Joshua Citarella
About Joshua Citarella
Over the past decade, Citarella’s work has explored online communities, radicalization, and internet subcultures. His projects include research into Politigram and the Post-Left, the founding of the art and editorial platform Do Not Research, and his ongoing YouTube series Doomscroll.
During this episode, Citarella will present on the themes of his recent writing and discuss how contemporary art may be shifting toward new regional and political configurations.
About Rhizome
Rhizome is a leading organization dedicated to internet art and digital culture, supporting commissions, exhibitions, and preservation. It operates online at rhizome.org and in partnership with the New Museum in New York City.
About Artwrld
Artwrld is a social discovery app designed to make the art world more accessible and welcoming. The platform is currently live in New York City and Los Angeles.
Registration for the live podcast conversation is available through Artwrld.
Futurespaces Session on Immersive Art and Beginner-Friendly AI Design Workshop
Futurespaces has announced two upcoming online events this month, focused on immersive art and practical AI-supported design workflows. The series is sponsored by PIXERA by AV Stumpfl, a real-time media server platform used in immersive installations and live environments.
Event 1: Immersive Art, Explained
Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM PST | 2:00 PM EST
Format: Live session followed by Q&A
This Futurespaces session will examine the ongoing debate around what qualifies as “immersive art,” a term increasingly used across galleries, academia, creative industries, and commercial entertainment spaces.
The talk will be led by Ana Brzezinska, Creative Director at Moment Factory and former Tribeca Festival Immersive Curator. Drawing on her experience across independent and commercial projects in North America, Europe, and Australia, she will explore why immersion continues to captivate audiences, and how creators can balance innovation, storytelling, and engagement without losing clarity or common sense.
Event 2: Beginner-Friendly AI Workshop on UI Design
Date: Friday, January 23, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM PST | 4:00 PM EST
Format: Live workshop
A second Futurespaces event later in the month will offer a beginner-friendly workshop on modern UI design fundamentals and how AI tools can support design workflows.
Led by Javier Rivero, the session will cover:
HTML, CSS, and Tailwind basics
Working with inspiration sources and component libraries
Real-world examples using tools such as Cursor, v0, and AI-generated visuals
Practical workflows for building strong UX and UI foundations
Participants will leave with resources and approaches for designing and shipping interfaces effectively while maintaining core design thinking.
Sponsor: PIXERA by AV Stumpfl
This month’s Futurespaces programming is sponsored by PIXERA, a professional media server platform developed by Austrian manufacturer AV Stumpfl. PIXERA supports playback, compositing, and show control for projection mapping, LED walls, and multi-display immersive environments.
About Futurespaces
Founded and led by Josh Goldblum (Bluecadet), Futurespaces offers live webinars and in-person tours that provide insights into the creative process behind contemporary immersive experiences.
Registration links and additional details are available through Futurespaces.
Online International Conference on Alternatives to Solitary Confinement
An online international conference on alternatives to solitary confinement will be held on December 11, 2025, bringing together leading global experts to address one of the most critical human rights issues in incarceration systems worldwide.
Extensive research has documented the harmful effects of solitary confinement on both mental and physical health. International conventions recognize prolonged solitary confinement beyond 15 days as a form of torture and prohibit its use for vulnerable populations, including minors, pregnant women, and individuals with mental disabilities.
Despite this, solitary confinement continues to be used globally as a default measure in detention settings, often for extended periods lasting months or years. In practice, it is frequently applied as a management tool against individuals perceived as difficult, nonconforming, or targeted for abuse. In Israel, the practice persists with the consent and involvement of physicians.
PHRI’s International Project
For more than three decades, Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI) has worked to end the use of solitary confinement in Israeli incarceration facilities. However, the Israel Prison Service continues to hold incarcerated individuals in prolonged isolation, including minors and people with mental disabilities.
In response to claims that viable alternatives do not exist, PHRI launched an international project in 2022, in partnership with the Italian organization Associazione Antigone, to identify practical alternatives to solitary confinement in prisons.
Experts from eight countries collaborated to develop a set of recommendations offering both short-term steps to remove individuals from solitary confinement and long-term strategies to address systemic conditions that lead to isolation practices. The guiding statement has since been presented to UN bodies, international conferences, incarceration authorities, and civil society organizations, and has been widely adopted.
Conference Details
The December 11 conference will be based on this guiding statement and is expected to be one of the most significant international events focused on alternatives to solitary confinement.
Date: December 11, 2025
Format: Online International Conference
Topic: Alternatives to Solitary Confinement
Hosted by: Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI)
Program details and registration are available through PHRI.
Register here.
International Human Rights Day 2025 Programming
Human Rights Day is observed annually on 10 December, marking the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The UDHR established a global framework affirming that all people are entitled to dignity, equality, and fundamental freedoms.
To mark International Human Rights Day 2025, the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard Kennedy School has shared a series of public events and resources focused on the relevance of human rights in today’s global and local contexts.
Upcoming Webinar: Bringing Human Rights Home
Bringing Human Rights Home: From Global Principles to Local Impact
Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM EST
Format: Online
This Human Rights Day webinar will explore how international human rights principles influence everyday life and community-level realities. The discussion will also address challenges facing multilateral institutions and pathways for making the UN and related systems more effective.
Speakers include:
Desirée Cormier Smith, Inaugural U.S. Special Representative for Racial Equity and Justice, U.S. State Department
Maggie Dougherty, Former Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for International Organizations, National Security Council
Kelly M. Fay Rodríguez, Former Special Representative for International Labor Affairs, U.S. State Department
Jessica Stern, Former U.S. Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons, U.S. State Department
Moderator:
Aminta Ossom, Lecturer on Law and Senior Clinical Instructor, International Human Rights Clinic, Harvard Law School
Registration is available through the Carr-Ryan Center.
Justice Matters Podcast Episode: Human Rights Day 2025
A special Human Rights Day episode of the Justice Matters podcast, titled “Rethinking Rights for a New Era,” features Faculty Director Mathias Risse in conversation with Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Policy Fellows.
Topics include pressing global human rights challenges, misinformation and repression, the effectiveness of international legal structures, grassroots movements, and guidance for young people entering the field.
Carr-Ryan Commentary: Human Rights and National Security
A new Carr-Ryan Commentary by Mathias Risse, “Reclaiming Western Identity: A Human Rights Day Response to America's New National Security Strategy,” critiques the omission of human rights from recent U.S. national security framing. The commentary argues that abandoning human rights commitments risks weakening moral authority and long-term global credibility.
Event Host
Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights Policy
Harvard Kennedy School
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Screening Updates and December Programming from The Chelsea Gateway Project
The Chelsea Gateway Project shared updates on the ongoing screening tour of its short documentary, Chelsea, The Jewish Years, alongside upcoming December cultural programming and community initiatives.
“Chelsea, The Jewish Years” Screening Tour
The documentary premiered at the Jewish Chelsea Museum on May 18, 2025. Following the premiere, Chelsea City Manager Fidel Maltez attended a screening and later invited the film to be shown for City Hall employees and high school interns.
Over the past eight months, the film has been screened for audiences at several community and cultural venues, including:
Temple Sinai, Marblehead
Temple Israel of Boston
Chelsea Jewish Lifecare
Chelsea High School
Chelsea GreenRoots Teaching Kitchen
Chelsea Senior Center
Chelsea Black Community
Chelsea City Hall
Organizations interested in hosting a screening are encouraged to submit an inquiry through The Chelsea Gateway Project.
December Giving Month and the Jewish Chelsea Museum
The Jewish Chelsea Museum, launched in May 2024, is a small organization dedicated to preserving Chelsea’s Jewish history and partnering with local groups to celebrate immigrant experiences past and present.
Donations to the museum are tax deductible and can be made online or by mail:
Jewish Chelsea Museum
c/o Temple Emmanuel of Chelsea
60 Tudor Street
Chelsea, MA 01250
Upcoming Chanukah Event at the MFA
On December 18, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) will host its annual holiday party in partnership with the Vilna Shul, Boston’s Center for Jewish Culture, and Combined Jewish Philanthropies. Additional details and the full schedule are available through the MFA.
Community History Feature: Anna Brodsky
The latest newsletter also highlighted a story from Jewish Stories of Chelsea, Volume 1, featuring Anna Brodsky, who was named the “Prettiest Girl in Chelsea” in the YMHA Beauty Contest in 1926.
The feature reflects the historical role of the YMHA as a major cultural and social center for Jewish immigrant families in Chelsea throughout much of the 20th century.
More community stories are expected in upcoming newsletters, with submissions welcomed through The Chelsea Gateway Project.
Screening of The Chelsea Gateway Project at Temple Israel
The Chelsea Gateway Project is coming to Boston! After successful screenings in Chelsea, the film will be shown at Temple Israel on November 16 at 12:30 PM.
This short documentary — just under 18 minutes — explores powerful local stories and community experiences, offering a thoughtful and engaging look at the people behind the project.
Following the screening, Herb Selesnick will lead a moderated discussion, providing space for questions, reflections, and shared stories.
Event Details
Place: Temple Israel, Boston
Date: November 16, 2025
Time: 12:30 PM
RSVP: https://www.tfaforms.com/5065864?tfa_7=701VK00000ZMGBd
Sneak Peek
Watch a preview of the film here: https://vimeo.com/1078437873?fe=ci&fl=sv&share=copy
All are welcome to join for an afternoon of film, conversation, and community connection.
Webinar on Paramilitary Disarmament — Lessons from Northern Ireland for Today
The John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at UMass Boston is hosting an important Moakley Chair Webinar titled Disarming Hamas: Drawing on the experience of paramilitary disarmament in Northern Ireland: Parallels & Differences.
The conversation will explore what the Northern Ireland peace process — including the disarmament of the Provisional IRA — can teach the world about current challenges in the Middle East.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT
Location: Zoom (virtual)
Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/dfn8zj3
Attendees will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link upon registration.
Featured Speakers
Padraig O’Malley
John Joseph Moakley Distinguished Professor of Peace and Reconciliation, UMass Boston.
Lord John Alderdice
Former chairperson of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), the body responsible for overseeing the disarmament of the Provisional IRA and other paramilitaries following the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Lord Alderdice brings decades of experience in conflict resolution, negotiation, and post-conflict stabilization.
About the Webinar
This session will examine:
The parallels and differences between paramilitary disarmament in Northern Ireland and the situation involving Hamas.
Lessons learned from the Good Friday Agreement process.
Approaches to monitoring, negotiation, and achieving durable peace settlements.
The discussion offers an opportunity to hear directly from one of the central figures involved in the Northern Ireland peace process, alongside one of the leading scholars of reconciliation and conflict transformation.
Gaza Food Aid Benefit Concert — Supporting World Central Kitchen
A powerful evening of music, poetry, and solidarity is coming to West Roxbury. The Gaza Food Aid Benefit Concert will take place on Friday, October 17, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM EDT, bringing together global musicians and poets in support of the life-saving work of World Central Kitchen in Gaza.
Hosted at the Theodore Parker Unitarian Universalist Church
📍 1859 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA
the event invites community members to gather in person or join via livestream to stand with families facing hunger and humanitarian crisis.
Event Details
Date: Friday, October 17
Time: 7:00–9:00 PM EDT
Location: Theodore Parker Unitarian Universalist Church
Livestream: https://youtube.com/live/wJ1PJlJQg_vE
Tickets: $20 — https://gazafoodaidconcert.eventbrite.com
Donations: https://donate.wck.org/give/721615#!/donation/checkout
The concert is produced by Musicians for the Greater Good, a collective dedicated to using art to amplify justice, compassion, and community action. All proceeds will support World Central Kitchen, which continues to provide essential food assistance to civilians in Gaza.
How to Participate
Whether you attend in person or tune in online, your presence makes a difference. Community members are also encouraged to donate directly to support the humanitarian response.
For more information, visit: https://musiciansforthegreatergood.org
This event is an opportunity to unite through art, stand in solidarity, and help deliver nourishment and hope where it is urgently needed.