Critical Conversations with Dr. Hanan Ashrawi: A Visionary Voice for Peace in the Middle East

Thursday, March 28, 9–10 a.m.
Join via Zoom (Accessible only via Seattle University Zoom accounts.)

Seattle University community members are invited to be in conversation with Dr. Hanan Ashrawi. Dr. Ashrawi is currently the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Birzeit University and is internationally recognized as a distinguished Palestinian leader, legislator, activist and scholar who served as a member of the Leadership Committee and as an official spokesperson of the Palestinian delegation to the Middle East peace process, beginning with the Madrid Peace Conference of 1991, and was appointed as the Palestinian Authority Minister of Higher Education and Research in 1996.

She is the author of several books, articles, poems and short stories on Palestinian politics, culture and literature. Her book This Side of Peace (Simon & Schuster, 1995) earned worldwide recognition.

Dr. Ashrawi received both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the American University of Beirut and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Medieval and Comparative Literature from the University of Virginia. She is the recipient of 11 honorary doctorates from universities in the U.S., Canada, Europe and the Arab world. Dr. Ashrawi serves on the advisory and international boards of several global, regional and local organizations dealing with a variety of issues including human rights, women’s rights, policy formation, peacemaking and nation-building.

Dr. Ashrawi is the recipient of numerous awards, including the distinguished French decoration, “d'Officier de l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur” (2016); the 2005 Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Peace and Reconciliation; the 2003 Sydney Peace Prize; the 2002 Olof Palme Prize; the 1999 International Women of Hope “Bread and Roses”; the Defender of Democracy Award– Parliamentarians for Global Action; the 50 Women of the Century; the 1996 Jane Addams International Women’s Leadership Award; the Pearl S. Buck Foundation Women’s Award; the 1994 Pio Manzu Gold Medal Peace Award; and the 1992 Marissa Bellisario International Peace Award. 

During the conversation, Dr. Ashrawi’s answers will help attendees: 

• Gain a deeper understanding of the role history plays in shaping the contemporary political landscape in Israel/Palestine
• Understand the role women have played and continue to play in promoting peace and dialogue 

This event is specifically for Seattle University community members. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn Dr. Hanan Ashrawi’s insights acquired through decades of peace and social justice advocacy.

This event is sponsored by Dean David Powers and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Questions? Please contact: ascdean@seattleu.edu.