NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Feb. 22, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Today, more than 34 million people live without homes or hope. These refugees and displaced people of the world are the victims of oppression, persecution and war. An estimated 80 percent of them are women and children.
The only U.S. organization dedicated solely to speaking on behalf of these women and children is The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children, an advocacy organization that operates under the auspices of the International Rescue Committee. It is one of the leading advocacy and expert resource organizations for powerless and homeless peoples. Dr. Beverlee Bruce, chair of this leading advocacy and resource organization for powerless and homeless peoples from 1994-1999, will speak at The College of New Rochelle (CNR).
A leading advocate for human rights, Dr. Beverlee Bruce will speak on "Human Rights and Forced Migration: The Case of Women and Children" on Thursday, March 1, 2001 at 7:30 p.m., in the Student Campus Center of The College of New Rochelle. The WCIS 2001 Presidential Lecture is sponsored by the Westchester Consortium for International Studies and President Stephen J. Sweeny of The College of New Rochelle. It is free and open to the public.
Dr. Rose Marie Hurrell, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at CNR said, "As a women's college with a Catholic heritage, we are committed to addressing ways to improve the lives of women and children throughout the world. Dr. Bruce's critical leadership role with the Women's Commission puts her in the forefront of issues confronting millions of refugee women and children. We are honored by her presence on our campus."
Dr. Bruce is currently the Program Director at The Social Science Research Council where she manages the Minority Fellowship Program and co-directs two projects; one on Forced Migration and Human Rights, and the other, on Education in Emergencies. A social anthropologist, development specialist and educator, Dr. Bruce's extensive experience in Africa and the Caribbean dates back to 1975.
Since becoming a member of the Commission in 1991, Dr. Bruce has: participated in Commission delegations throughout Africa (Rwanda, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal, South Africa, Mozambique) as well as Croatia and Sarajevo; led the Commission's delegation to the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing 1995); and participated in international conferences on refugees and displaced persons.
The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children was founded in 1989 by Liv Ullmann, Catherine O'Neill and Susan Martin. The Commission's key activities include: monitoring the care and protection of refugee women and children; speaking out for them; and influencing the international organizations, governments and voluntary agencies responsible for refugee care and protection.
The Westchester Consortium for International Studies, which was incorporated in 1989, is comprised of The College of New Rochelle, Manhattanville College and Marymount College Tarrytown. The consortium aims to encourage an understanding of the complexities of the new world order by fostering linkages between the social sciences, the humanities and the fine arts. The site of the annual WCIS Presidential Lecture rotates among the three member colleges. Topics presented in previous lectures have included: "U.S.-Russian Relations" and "The United Nations and Nuclear Proliferation in the 21st Century." This year's program was conceived and implemented by CNR faculty Dr. Anne McKernan and Dr. Andre Beauzethier.
The first Catholic college for women in New York State, The College of New Rochelle was founded in 1904 by the Ursuline Order. Today, it comprises the all-women School of Arts & Sciences and three coeducational schools: the School of New Resources (for adult learners), the School of Nursing and the Graduate School. The main campus of the College is located in lower Westchester County, 16 miles north of New York City. The College maintains six other campus locations in New York City.
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CONTACT: The College of New Rochelle
Deborah Thomas
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Barbara Eng
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