The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications and the Forsythe Family Program on Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs co-sponsored a visit and book talk with international human rights activist Jane Olson on Nov. 28 and 29.
“Jane’s journey from wife and mother to human rights crusader demonstrates how Midwestern values can change the world,” said Shari Veil, dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. “Insights from her journeys, expertly documented in journalistic form, help us be better citizens and advocates for peace and justice in our time.”
During her visit, Olson visited several classes in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications including Social Justice, Human Rights and the Media and Nebraska Mosaic. These courses focus on teaching students how to report on and consume media about underrepresented communities.
Olson discussed her book, “World Citizen: Journeys of a Humanitarian,” where she shares her story, that of a small-town girl from Iowa whose Midwest values and early life experiences led her on a life-long crusade for peace, justice and humanitarian action. Her journey started as the organizer of a two-day church conference on nuclear proliferation in Southern California. Three decades later she would be chair of the board of Human Rights Watch traveling to places as far-flung as Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Vietnam championing a moral truth, that all lives are valuable and equally deserving of support.
Olson’s visit was co-sponsored by the Forsythe Family Program on Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs and the E.N. Thompson Forum on World Issues.
“The Forsythe Family Program on Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs is proud to co-sponsor this event, featuring such a prominent activist and human rights defender,” said Courtney Hillebrecht, Hitchcock Family Chair in Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs and director of the Forsythe Family Program. “Jane’s life work is a model for our students.”
